Latest News

During Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s worth recognising the people who keep services running day to day and this includes Pharmacy Technicians.  Having worked as a Pharmacy Technician for just short of 30 years, I’ve seen just how much the role has changed. In the past, the focus was mostly on dispensing medicines. While that remains important, the role today is so much more.  In hospitals, Pharmacy Technicians now support […]

Written by Maria Karsa, Quality and Standards Advisor The moment we’ve all been working towards is almost here. Learners completing their Access to Higher Education Diplomas are preparing to take their next step into higher education, and your role in that journey has never been more important.  At the centre of this exciting milestone is the Final Awards Board (FAB). When everything runs smoothly, […]

Written by Nina Hinton, Director of Business and Development  Attending the Bridging the SEND Transition Collective event (hosted by FE News and the Education and Training Foundation) last week reinforced something many already know: the system isn’t short of ambition, but it is still catching up with the realities learners face. SEND reform in England […]

We are beyond delighted to announce that Open Awards has been awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool, one of the highest civic honours the city can bestow. The award, also known as the Freedom Roll of Associations, recognises organisations and individuals who have had a remarkable positive impact on the local community and […]

Open Awards has its roots within the Open College Network. The story of the Open College Network is one of innovation shaping national policy, with Open Awards, then OCNNWR, as one of the pioneers.  The first Open College Network (OCN) emerged in Manchester in 1981 as the Manchester Open College Federation, set up to recognise the learning of adults returning to […]

Written by Teri Greaves, Business Development Manager. I attended the National Careers Week event in York on 4 March 2026, hosted at the STEM Learning Centre. The day started well—with sunshine, great music, and Yorkshire Tea—and only improved from there.  The focus of the day was on ensuring young people are presented with opportunities and have […]

We were delighted to welcome Maria Eagle MP, Member of Parliament for Liverpool Garston, to our office on the 27th of February as part of Open Awards’ 45th birthday celebrations.  Maria Eagle has long been a supporter of education and skills for local communities. During her visit, she discussed the future of education, including the Skills Bill, the newly announced SEND […]

Study Programmes –  The Perfect Foundation for Future Success For learners aged 16–18, Study Programmes offer an excellent opportunity to build confidence, develop essential skills, and prepare for the next stage of education. At The City of Liverpool College, these programmes combine academic learning with practical experience, creating a well-rounded approach that supports progression into […]

We are proud to share a letter received from Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills in the Department for Education congratulating Open Awards on our 45th anniversary. The letter recognises our journey from the Open College Network to an Ofqual regulated awarding body and highlights our commitment to making education accessible to all. It also reflects […]

How do you store your learners’ data?   In our digital world, assessment evidence, feedback and grades may only exist in digital form. When this data is not properly backed up, learners can lose access to the evidence they need to complete or be awarded their qualification. The following scenarios, while hypothetical, highlight what’s at stake when we fail to protect our learners’ data.   The importance of submitting evidence: Sam’s story  Sam registered with […]