On the evening of the 24th of January, our incredibly talented music students took to the stage to wow an eager audience in Ye Olde Inne in Westerleigh, Bristol.

Between 8 o’clock and half past ten, four magnificent acts made an appearance – this included Bad Posture, Lilac Sundae, Creative Chaos, The Koppers, Silhouette and Lily.

Lily, singer of the slow pop band Creative Chaos, said “without the audience and support from the other bands, I wouldn’t have been able to play!”. She praised her tutors, stating that her lecturers aided in preparation for the gig – giving her more confidence to perform and overcome her stage fright.

“The gig helped with the performance aspect of our course, it provided us with first hand experience as it included us rehearsing and preparing for the evening”, Charlie from Lilac Sundae explained, “our experience was great! We felt very welcome by the venue owner as he provided us with pizza and refreshments upon our arrival”.

Many of the students described the atmosphere as incredible, as they received a well-deserved overwhelming reaction from their very own audience!

The show wouldn’t have proceeded without the incredible Oz, our music lecturer, so a big thank you to him for an amazing evening!

And finally a huge congratulations to all the learners on their fantastic performances!

For those interested in finding out more about our Music and Creative Arts courses, click here.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Our T level Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction students provided their assistance to the Foodbank Warehouse in Beaufighter Road, Weston-Super-Mare.

The learners began their exciting day with an introduction from Lucy, the Foodbank Warehouse manager. She explained their struggle in the movement of food products around the warehouse and explained how they could use the students help. This meant that the students were fortunate enough to get involved in a real-life project to solve the foodbanks problem!

After being split into three groups and being assigned a task, the students carried out a detailed measurement survey of the entire warehouse – this included the ground floor, welfare and office areas and the first-floor mezzanine structure. Lucy then provided them with her project requirements which involved the budget.

After a day of exciting events, the students returned to the Weson College classroom and eagerly began using a Computer Aided Design software called Revitt. This specialist software enabled the students to draw out the warehouse’s layout, they even had an option of various re-designs which would be costed up!

The T Level learners are eager to meet up again with Lucy to submit their very own designs to her and receive feedback to work upon!

A huge thank you to Lucy and the team at the Foodbank Warehouse for giving our students the opportunity to work on such a fantastic project!

This project forms part of the subject Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands.

If you're interested in finding out more about our T Level Construction courses, click here

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Students, educators, and employers in the education industry gathered at Weston College for a captivating lecture delivered by acclaimed author Greg Bottrill. As a former early years lead and assistant headteacher with extensive experience in the early years sector, Greg Bottrill enlightened attendees on the profound impact of play-based learning on a child’s cognitive and emotional development.

Greg Bottrill, known for his expertise in the Play Projects approach, shared insights into the transformative power of incorporating choice, creativity, collaboration, mark-making, mathematics, joy, invention, and endless possibilities into early years practices. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Greg provided practical strategies for creating dynamic learning environments that stimulate curiosity and independence, emphasizing the pivotal role of play in childhood development.

The evening, attended by Education & Early Years students, alumni, and professionals from various education settings, featured an uplifting and insightful workshop exploring the application of play projects in practice. Attendees were immersed in Greg’s passion for real play, the magic of childhood, and the importance of placing children at the heart of their learning adventure.

Rachel Landen from Keepers Gate Forest School conveyed her enthusiasm, stating, “I took so much away from this event; I was still talking about it when I woke up the next day. All our staff were engaged and excited about how we could implement some of the ideas.”

The Weston College Early Years and Education Careers Excellence Hubs express their gratitude to Greg Bottrill for delivering such a fantastic and enriching lecture. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees underscores the success of the event in inspiring and motivating educators and professionals in the education industry.

Engaging with industry experts and employers forms part of Weston College’s Early Years and Education Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our students' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares students to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

For those interested in exploring education and early years courses at Weston College, please visit Education and Early Years | Weston College.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Weston College is proud to announce an exciting collaboration with Premier Education, the UK’s No.1 provider of sport and physical activity to primary schools. Representatives from Premier Education visited Weston College to engage with Level 2 and Level 3 Sports learners, offering valuable insights into potential apprenticeships within the sector and outlining clear progression paths beyond their current courses. The visit from Premier Education aimed to inspire and inform our Sports students about the diverse possibilities within the education sector and the potential for rewarding careers.

Weston College has been fostering a close working relationship with Premier Education, which so far has led to three apprentices from the College joining Premier Education. The success of these apprenticeships has fuelled the ambition to further develop this partnership, allowing learners to embark on their journey with Premier Education apprenticeship starting from Level 2 and progressing up to Level 4.

"We are excited about the prospects that our collaboration with Premier Education brings to our learners," said Dan Lomax, Curriculum Coordinator in Sports, and Health at Weston College. "The opportunity for paid work and clear progression paths from Level 2 to Level 4 exemplifies our commitment to providing students with tangible and rewarding career pathways."

Following the engaging sessions with Premier Education representatives, eight enthusiastic learners from Weston College expressed their interest by signing up for the interview process.

Weston College looks forward to further strengthening its partnership with Premier Education, providing students with not just academic knowledge but also real-world experiences that pave the way for successful and fulfilling careers.

This guest lecture from Premier Education forms part of the Sports and Fitness Careers Excellence Hub. At Weston College, our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job markets. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches.

For further information about Weston College courses, please click here.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Construction company, Hydrock, visited South West Skills Campus last week to engage with learners studying on the T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction.

The day was packed with activities, which gave learners the opportunity to test their skills with activities like planning a new sustainable town, as well as gain top tips for their future endeavours with CV reviews and mock interviews.

Learners also heard from former T Level learner, and current Hydrock employee, Ben, who inspired the learners with his story – having been sat in that very room just 12 months ago.

Ben spoke about his T Level placement with Hydrock, working 315 hours and managing to gain employment on the back of his course, with a Degree Apprenticeship through University Centre Weston.

Engaging with employers forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College said: “We were delighted to welcome Hydrock last week, and it was great to see Ben as well.

“Our learners found the whole day really beneficial, and left feeling inspired – which is what the Career Excellence Hub in Construction is all about!”

You can find out about our construction courses, by clicking here.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Level 3 Uniformed Public Services students were given a powerful guest lecture from fire officer Rich Welch. Rich was previously an officer in London, who has now transferred to Avon Fire and Rescue.  

While working for London Fire Brigade, Rich attended the Grenfell Tower incident. A part of the lecture was him discussing his experience at this tragedy and how he had worked as part of a large team to combat the fire.  

The level 3 Uniformed Public Services learners are currently covering teamwork and leadership in their classes, making this a perfect session for this area of the course. The guest lecture also tied into the students learning about responding to emergency incidents and the right behaviours to show at an emergency site.  

Lecturer Darren French said: “This was a good session, with plenty of learner engagement and an inspirational story from Rich. A very well received session!”  

This guest speaker forms part of the Public Services Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields. 

A big thanks to Rich for coming in and sharing his inspirational story with us. 

To find out more about our Public Services courses click here.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

The highly anticipated Weston College Business Awards is back, with the Oscars-style event taking place at the Winter Gardens on 13th June 2024.

The event is the annual celebration of the exceptional accomplishments of our learners in work based situations, including apprentices, trainees, and those completing enriching industry placements, alongside the invaluable support of employers.

In a nod to the partnerships forged, this year, we have revamped our award categories to shine a spotlight on the seamless synergy between learners and employers within the same organisation.

This means that for each award, the winning learner and their employer, pick up an award – recognising both parties for their outstanding contributions.

Our new award categories are:

1. Business, Finance & Professional Services Partnership Award
2. Construction Partnership Award
3. Digital Partnership Award
4. The Luke Wheaton Engineering and Automotive Partnership Award
5. Education Partnership Award
6. Health, Sport & Community Partnership Award
7. Service Sectors Partnership Award

We are also celebrating our partnerships with organisations that are supporting us with learners on the sustainability agenda, with our Sustainability Partner of the Year Award.

Nominations are only open for a couple of weeks, closing on February 9th.

You can nominate if you are:

• A Weston College learner (apprentice, trainee, industry placement learner, etc)
• The manager/employer of the apprentice
• A Weston College member of staff
• A business that goes the extra mile in providing opportunities for our learners.

All entries will then be looked at by our judges and shortlisted on their merits. Judges will be looking for learners who display professional and personal progression, so remember to include evidence of this in the application.

Shortlisted learners will be invited to the ceremony and will receive two complimentary tickets to bring family or friends. Apprentices will also be accompanied by their assessor and an invite will be sent to their manager/employer.

Click here to vote.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Weston College students and staff turned out in force to support the annual ‘Santa Express Run’ last year! 

Organised by our very own lecturer Nicola Stent, the run takes place on Burnham beach in aid of charities. This year, funds were being raised for Young lives Vs Cancer, Love Musgrove and someone from Burnham who needs to raise money for a bionic arm. 

The event raised an incredibly impressive grand total of £3,924.75! £600 of this figure was raised by Weston College learners, meaning a huge congratulations is in order for them for their generosity and dedication. The students helped to organise runners, play music and assist with refreshments.  

Lecturer & run organiser Nicola Stent said: “we are so proud of our Weston college learners who chose to come along to volunteer, run and promote the event. The attitudes of the learners were outstanding! It was so inspiring to witness the teamwork, comradery and collaboration between different courses and Level 2 and 3 of Public Services.” 

This event was a huge effort to set up and organise so a big congratulations and thank you must go to Nicola for organising it!  

To find out more about our public services courses, click here.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

University Centre Weston (UCW) is thrilled to announce its success in securing £272,000 from the Office for Students' (OfS) £40 million degree apprenticeship fund launched in September 2023. As part of the wave 1 funding, UCW stands among the fifty-one colleges and universities that have been awarded a share of a £12 million funding pot to expand degree apprenticeships. 

Today the OfS has unveiled the names of ten colleges and 41 universities that demonstrated the capability to deliver projects aimed at increasing starts and enhancing the diversity of their degree apprentice recruits. The allocated funding is expected to be utilised by the end of July 2024. 

UCW will allocate its funding towards expanding four of its degree apprenticeships, addressing critical skills needs in the workforce. The supported apprenticeships include Digital User Experience Professional, Project Manager, Registered Nurse, and Digital and Technology Solutions Professional. 

John Blake, Director for Fair Access, and Participation at the OfS, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We set universities and colleges a challenge to deliver an extensive range of degree apprenticeships that students from all backgrounds could access. They responded with a wide range of innovative and ambitious bids." 

The OfS launched the fund to increase the number of providers delivering degree apprenticeships, expanding overall numbers, and improving diversity within the higher education sector. The fund specifically aims to support projects targeting students least likely to access higher education. 

This development aligns with evidence from organisations such as the Sutton Trust, which found that degree apprenticeships were more socially exclusive than traditional university courses. Skills Minister Robert Halfon expressed his delight, stating, "I am delighted that the institutions awarded a portion of this £40 million will not only be expanding the number of degree apprenticeships offered but have also demonstrated their commitment to boosting access and participation and prioritising equality of opportunity." 

UCW remains committed to contributing to the growth of capacity and capability within the Higher Education sector, addressing present and future skills needs through its innovative degree apprenticeship programs. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.