ESB NEWS MAY EDITION 2023

Message from our Chief Executive Tina Renshaw

I am delighted to welcome you to this May edition of ESB News as this year is a very special one for us at ESB, it’s our 70th Anniversary! Yes, that’s right, 70 years of enabling learners to realise their full potential through the development of effective communication. As you know, ESB was founded in 1953 by two amazing entrepreneurs, Christabel Burniston and Jocelyn Bell. Who would have thought that the unique type of assessment experience created by these two educators, innovators and pioneers, which was so valuable then, could be bent and flexed over time as society has changed to still be relevant and effective today? What an amazing feat! The momentum of our 70/70 campaign to celebrate 70 years has seen us make a commitment to welcome 70 new centres whose learners face disadvantage and to support them financially through the Christabel Burniston Fund. ESB's determination to continue its support to close the disadvantage gap remains as steadfast as ever. Furthermore, what better way to celebrate our 70th Anniversary than with a whirlwind of multi-media live-streamed events that we have been busy hosting over the past few months, recognising the achievements of all our learners. From a conference with our partners Europalso, in Greece, to an event held at Belfast Metropolitan College celebrating our learners with additional learning needs and/or learning disabilities, followed by an event in Stoke-on-Trent to commend our state school learners who take our speech qualifications - we’ve had the most amazing time! We've two more events to share with you in our next edition too!

ESB Learners from Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy, Stoke

Of course, no birthday is complete without a birthday cake and we've had plenty of those as well! Our event in Stoke also saw the launch of ESB’s 2021-2022 National Impact Report which outlines the impact of ESB’s externally assessed qualifications on the development of learners’ oracy and personal development. We’re so excited to share these findings with you. Much has changed since 1953 but ESB’s early ethos to inspire and place great value on every individual still holds true today. Here’s to 70 more successful years! I hope you enjoy reading this edition and that it keeps you up to date with what is happening. We are always open to feedback and welcome your opinion on what you would like to see in ESB News, so please do get in touch. We would love to hear from you. Best wishes, Tina

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