Winners announced at Qualifications Scotland Excellence Awards

The winners were revealed on Thursday 5 November during an event at Qualifications Scotland's offices in Glasgow, which brought together finalists, nominators, and guests to celebrate their stories.

The awards celebrate the positive impact qualifications have on those who take them, and on the centres and individuals who deliver them. They highlight those who go out of their way to make learning inclusive, innovative and impactful.

Winners and highly commended entries were announced in each of the five categories: Centre of the Year, Qualifications Scotland Champion, Innovation, Inspirational Learner, and Promoting Inclusion.

In the categories for centres, Glasgow Clyde College took home two awards, as ‘Centre of the Year’ for using qualifications creatively to open routes into learning, employment and further study, and for ‘Promoting Inclusion’ through its English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Programme, Scotland's first dedicated ESOL provision for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.

John Rafferty, Principal of Glasgow Clyde College said: “I’m over the moon and delighted that the college and staff have won these awards today. Qualifications Scotland has helped us deliver many types of qualifications and courses to suits lots of different learners no matter what their aspirations are. It means a lot to them, and these courses can be the difference in them getting a job, getting back on their feet, and achieving great things.”

Castlebay School on Barra won the ‘Innovation’ award for Nautilus Barra, which uses the island's environment as a ‘living classroom’, with pupils working alongside university academics and researchers on subjects from marine science to drone technology.

Monica Macleod, science teacher at Castlebay School said: “We’ve been doing this project for over three years now and think it’s really important to give children on the island scientific opportunities, I’m really delighted to be recognised for it. We wanted to engage young people with their local environment and the impacts of climate change, as it can be easy to feel we can’t make a difference. The project makes them feel like they have the power to make that difference and then take that information back to their parents and grandparents.”

In the individual categories, Alan Deans, nominated by Glasgow Veterans Group, won ‘Qualifications Scotland Champion’ for using qualifications to transform the lives of veterans and disadvantaged adults for more than three decades.

He commented: “I’m immensely humbled to win this award. It’s a great honour and a privilege to work alongside veterans, working on employability skills, mental health, and self-esteem, among many other things. This award isn’t just for me; it’s for everyone else involved in the organisation too.”

Robert Toth, nominated by Sanctuary Housing Association, was named ‘Inspirational Learner’, having started a new life in the UK and progressing to become a Deputy Manager in social care, while also supporting colleagues to achieve their own potential.

Robert said: “I’m really excited to win - when they called my name I wasn’t expecting it! I started work as a carer when I moved to the UK and I just knew that to progress in the role I needed to keep studying. I’ve continued to move up and think the best way to progress in life is to keep learning.”

Nick Page, Chief Executive of Qualifications Scotland, said: "A massive congratulations to all of our winners and highly commended entries. Your ambition and commitment, show what is possible when qualifications are delivered with passion. Every one of you are helping to open doors, break down barriers and change lives for the better.”

A full list of winners and highly commended entries can be found below:

Centre of the Year

Winner:

• Glasgow Clyde College

  uses qualifications in various inventive ways to create routes into learning, employment and further study. Working with schools, universities, employers and community partners, it delivers qualifications in ways that respond to learners' circumstances. Its ESOL Gateway helps new Scots gain employment, its First Steps to Childcare programme helps adults into jobs in the early learning workforce, its senior phase programme supports pupils into degree-level study, and its coaching courses deliver coaches to clubs across Scotland. Together, the programmes show how creative delivery, strong partnerships and personalised support can help learners overcome barriers and change lives.

Highly commended:

• Scran Academy, Edinburgh

  uses practical learning, strong partnerships and relationship-based support to help young people build confidence, develop skills and access further education, employment and further learning.

• TIGERS Group, East Dunbartonshire

  has used qualifications to create opportunities for 25 years, with learners aged 15 to 71 across 24 local authority areas in construction and civil engineering, early years, business and digital, employability, work-based schools programmes, and sports.

• Wuhan University of Technology, China

  has trained over 7,000 students on the Qualifications Scotland Advanced Diploma Programme, with a graduation rate of 99% and an overseas undergraduate progression rate over 97%.

Qualifications Scotland Champion

Winner:

• Alan Deans, nominated by Glasgow Veterans Group

  has shown exceptional commitment to learning over more than three decades, using qualifications to transform the lives of veterans, disadvantaged adults and community learners. He developed and promoted innovative Qualifications Scotland-accredited programmes in employability, community work, communication and core skills, making sure learning opportunities met local needs. Through partnerships with colleges, councils, charities and veteran organisations, he widened access to qualifications and progression routes. Alan has also shared his expertise through mentoring, training and collaborative networks. His work has inspired learners to achieve their potential, find employment, pursue further study and become active contributors within their communities.

Highly commended:

• Karen Bale, nominated by Glasgow Clyde College

  is Curriculum Manager for General Education and champions learners who have previously experienced educational failure, developing a two-year National 5 Mathematics pathway that increased pass rates by 30%.

• Linda Malloch, nominated by Scottish Drugs Forum SVQ Centre, Glasgow

  has transformed assessment practice, enabling hundreds of learners to achieve nationally recognised qualifications while giving compassionate support to trainees with lived experience of substance use and trauma.

Innovation

Winner:

• Nautilus Barra, Castlebay School, Island of Barra

  is an interdisciplinary model of learning that turns the island's location into a living classroom. Pupils across primary and secondary stages work alongside university academics and researchers, combining field science, environmental monitoring, laboratory work, drone technology, snorkelling and creative arts. The project creates progression from early environmental learning to specialist skill development, real research experience and exposure to university study and careers. Sustainable partnerships mean it is not a one-off project but an embedded approach to ambitious, relevant and meaningful curriculum delivery.

Highly commended:

• Braes High School, Falkirk

  has developed an Integrated Care Pathway with a clinical standard Simulation Room, created alongside NHS Forth Valley, that tracks learners' practical healthcare skills and creates pathways into apprenticeships, college and employment.

• Hotel School Scotland, Parkhill Secondary School, Glasgow

  works with employers including Hilton Glasgow to help young people with additional support needs gain qualifications and employability skills through authentic workplace experiences.

Inspirational Learner

Winner:

• Robert Toth, nominated by Sanctuary Housing Association

  has a journey that is a testament to the power of resilience, lifelong learning and compassion. From starting a new life in the UK, he has progressed to become a Deputy Manager in social care, overcoming challenges with determination and purpose. Inspired by his family and driven by a passion for helping others, Robert continues to develop his skills while supporting colleagues to achieve their own potential. His story shows that commitment, perseverance and a willingness to learn can turn obstacles into opportunities and make a lasting difference to the lives of others.

Highly commended:

• Iestyn Hughes, nominated by Carnoustie High School, Angus

  achieved A Band 1 in Higher Human Biology in S4, then in Higher Chemistry and Higher Physics in S5, while supporting other pupils through study sessions, tutorials and learning resources.

• Mary Devine, nominated by West Lothian College

  has progressed through qualifications in Childhood Practice, taking part in an international research project with South Westphalia University, Germany, while managing family responsibilities and part-time work.

Promoting Inclusion

Winner:

• Glasgow Clyde College’s 16+ ESOL Programme

  removes barriers to qualifications for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people affected by trauma, displacement and interrupted education. The programme combines Qualifications Scotland units with trauma-informed teaching, wellbeing support and strong external partnerships. It now comprises of eight classes supporting over 160 learners a year. It has been mainstreamed into core provision, replicated across two campuses and achieves a 90% progression rate. It has been recognised as good practice by the Scottish Refugee Council.

Highly commended:

• Haus of Seisay, North Ayrshire

  is an award-winning hairdressing charity that delivers SCQF Level 4 to 6 qualifications in a trauma-informed environment for care-experienced and care-affected young people.

• Bo'ness Academy, Winter Leavers Programme

  works with local industry and training providers on a community-led, flexible learning model to help young people attend, achieve and move on to a positive destination when they leave school.