National recognition for innovation in ESOL, digital inclusion, and transformative learner support

Hull College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education, the highest national honour available to UK colleges and universities.

This prestigious recognition celebrates our pioneering work in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), digital inclusion, and our groundbreaking programme ‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’, which is transforming learning and life opportunities for refugee and migrant communities.

As one of only four Further Education colleges recognised among 19 national winners in 2025, the award affirms the college’s position as a national leader and innovator in addressing the evolving challenges of migration, disrupted education, and social mobility - and showcases how Further Education can make a profound difference through compassion, creativity, and technology.

Debra Gray MBE, CEO & Principal of Hull College, said: “We are absolutely delighted and deeply proud to receive the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for our pioneering work in ESOL. For Hull College, this is more than an award - it is a national acknowledgement of years of dedication, innovation, and partnership. There is no higher honour in our sector, and to be recognised in this way affirms the transformative impact that Further Education can have when it is bold, inclusive and driven by purpose. This recognition reflects the passion and commitment of our staff, our technology partners and - most importantly - our incredible students, whose resilience and determination continue to inspire everything we do.”

What are the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education?

Part of the UK’s national honours system, The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education (formerly the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes) recognise excellence, innovation and meaningful impact in universities and colleges across the country. They celebrate outstanding achievements across all subject areas - from science and health to business, social sciences, arts, engineering and education.

The Prizes uniquely honour the institution as a whole, acknowledging not just the teams behind the work but the wider organisational commitment that enables excellence to flourish.

Awarded every two years, all award submissions undergo a rigorous, independent review process managed by the Royal Anniversary Trust. Expert assessors evaluate how institutions demonstrate innovation, benefit learners and contribute to wider society.

Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust said: “The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education celebrate the power of education to change the world for the better. This much-loved national honour recognises, at the highest level of state, outstanding work in UK universities and colleges, and the remarkable benefit they bring to our economy, society and the wider world. This year we are delighted to honour 19 institutions whose work offers an inspiring snapshot of the excellent and innovative work going on in universities and colleges across the UK. Congratulations!”

Hull - A City of Sanctuary

As one of the UK’s designated Cities of Sanctuary, Hull has a long and proud tradition of welcoming people who have been forced to flee war, persecution or natural disaster. The city is committed to offering safety, dignity and opportunities to those seeking sanctuary - and Hull College shares this commitment wholeheartedly.

Our ESOL work reflects this ethos in action. By helping learners rebuild confidence, reconnect with education and find their voice, we contribute directly to Hull’s wider mission of offering hope and new beginnings to those starting their lives again in the UK.

By prioritising wellbeing, inclusion and personalised support, we help learners overcome barriers and develop the skills they need to thrive. This commitment is powerfully reflected in the ‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ exhibition, which showcases the lived experiences, identities, and resilience of our learners through creative and digital storytelling.

A National Leader in ESOL Innovation

Our award-winning work centres on our pioneering initiative ‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ - a transformative model for ESOL learning that tackles the global challenge of refugee displacement and the national priority of equitable skills access. Explore the powerful work that helped us secure the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education here.

At the heart of our ESOL provision is a commitment to supporting the whole person, not just teaching language skills. Many ESOL learners arrive having faced significant challenges - from displacement and interrupted education to isolation and cultural disconnection. Our approach focuses on creating a sense of belonging, rebuilding confidence, and fostering meaningful connections across communities and cultures.

‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ redefines how language learning, identity, wellbeing and progression intersect. It integrates:

• AI-enabled storytelling
• Real-time translation tools
• Trauma-informed pedagogy
• A curriculum that supports learners from arrival through to employment or further study

This approach ensures learners can begin studying immediately in their first language, while building English proficiency in an inclusive, supportive, and digitally enhanced environment. The programme’s innovative use of AI-generated visual stories and virtual exhibition platforms enables learners to explore identity, build confidence, and communicate through creative expression. These narratives support language acquisition while validating lived experience - especially important for those affected by trauma or disrupted education.

In addition to this, the ‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ programme features an innovative digital art gallery hosted in Spatial - a vibrant virtual space where learners’ stories are brought to life through cutting-edge AI and imaginative prompt engineering. Each digital artwork reflects a chapter of their journey: their lives before arriving in the UK, the challenges and hopes woven into their migration experiences, and the new futures they are beginning to shape.

More than an exhibition, it stands as a celebration of resilience, creativity and cultural identity. By bridging geographic and cultural boundaries, the gallery offers a powerful platform for learners to share who they are and where they come from, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse experiences that enrich our college community.

Tina Lynam, Head of ESOL at Hull College, said: “Silent Voices, Vivid Stories is all about human connection, creativity, and empowerment. We are incredibly proud of our ESOL students, who bravely shared their journeys and identities through this powerful platform. Winning this award shows the value of inclusive innovation - and the vital role storytelling plays in education and community.

“Our learners arrive with extraordinary resilience but face barriers that many of us cannot imagine. ‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ gave them the tools to express their stories safely, learn English with confidence, and reconnect with education. This national recognition is a wonderful achievement for the college and reflects the hard work of our staff and the incredible commitment of our students.”

The initiative is embedded within a wider strategy connecting ESOL to priority vocational pathways including health, construction, engineering, and hospitality. This ensures language learning directly supports employment, workforce development, and social mobility - providing a clear route from early integration to economic participation.

Recognition Across the UK and Beyond

‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ has attracted significant national attention, positioning Hull College at the forefront of important sector-wide conversations - including ESOL reform, digital inclusion, inclusive skills development, and trauma-responsive education.

The project’s innovative approach has been shared with FE providers across the UK, and its impact has reached even further afield. Delegations from Europe, Africa, and North America have visited Hull College to understand how this model supports learners, builds confidence, and strengthens community cohesion.

This prize further cements Hull College’s role as a sector leader - demonstrating how Further Education can meet global challenges through local innovation, creativity, and meaningful learner-centred practice.

A Proud Moment for Hull College

Receiving The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education is a milestone achievement - and a celebration of the learners, staff and communities who make Hull College a place of hope, opportunity and transformation.

Debra Gray MBE concluded: “Hull is a City of Sanctuary, and we take that responsibility seriously. We have worked tirelessly to bring digital innovation, compassion, and world-class teaching together to ensure every student feels valued, welcomed, and able to rebuild their lives. ‘Silent Voices, Vivid Stories’ has not only transformed ESOL at Hull College, but also the lives and futures of our learners.

“This award is a tribute to the courage of our students, the expertise of our staff, and the belief that Further Education can - and must - meet people where they are. We remain committed to leading the way in inclusion, innovation, and social mobility, showing how education can drive meaningful and lasting change.”

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