WEST College Scotland has won two top prizes at a further education awards night.

The college won recognition for innovative college and for health-promoting college at the event, hosted by Sally Magnusson.

The innovation gong was for developing primary school teachers through their “access to primary education” programme.

Sharon Gardiner, the head of social sciences, science and sport, said: “Our access to primary education programme has not just been truly innovative, it has also been hugely successful. The vast majority of students who have undertaken it have gone on to complete their studies at university.

“The prize is a really important win for the college. The innovation agenda is a huge one for the sector and to know that we are leading the way is great news for everybody at our college.”

Joe Rafferty, head of organisational development and HR, accepted the health-promoting college award.

He said: “We have worked extremely hard to connect our health promotion activities with the needs of our college community. Our activities involve different aspects of health and wellbeing, not just fitness and periodic health campaigns.

“We have been running a resilience-based programme this year which has included training in stress awareness, mindfulness and mental health awareness, as well as providing flu vaccinations on campus. And one of our boldest moves was to make the college an entire no-smoking institution.”