The College is celebrating the end of its first year teaching plumbing and gearing up for a 300 per cent increase in demand for places this September.

So far 12 men and one woman have gained plumbing qualifications at the Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) in Locking Road.

Plumbing lecturer Scott Austin said: “There’s been an enormous growth in demand for the course. Now we are set to put on a Level One course, two Level Twos and a Level Three.

“We’ve also set up school links for older secondary students who want to do more hands-on study. We are delighted with the response regionally.”

Plumber of the year was awarded to 17-year-old Jake Payne of Jubilee Street,  Burnham-on-Sea.

Runner up was awarded to Daniel Rihan, 35, Weston-super-Mare and third was Kieran Rigney, 17 of Weston-super-Mare.

Green technologies are at the forefront of a new £10 million building project at Weston College which is a leading National Skills Environmental Academy Hub.

They include a rainwater harvesting system, wood biomass boiler, solar thermal array, ground source heat pump and solar photovoltaic system.

Part of the programme will also see a £300,000 sustainable detached eco- house built for students and visitors to show how environmental and renewable technology can transform the construction industry.

In 2010, the CECE won a ‘National Training Award’ for the South West of England.

It delivers training in a wide range of construction occupations including, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry, trowel trades, painting, decorating, plastering, property maintenance, renewable energy courses and apprenticeships.

The CECE holds specialist electrical workshops, bespoke brickwork and carpentry workshops and has a resource-based learning centre for online learning.

It is also a test centre for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and health and safety card.

There is a 100 per cent success rate for Level 2 qualifications with around 70 per cent of CECE students finding work in industry while others enhance their DIY skills.

The Access to Higher Education (HE) students and staff at Weston College were celebrating after gaining some fantastic GCSE results last week.

The Access programme is a Level 3 Diploma (equivalent to 3 A Levels), designed to help adults without the entry requirements who wish to progress to university to achieve their dream career. To start the course you do not necessarily need any formal qualifications, and you do not have to have been in education recently.

This year has been the first time that Access to HE learners have had to complete GCSE Maths and English as well as their Access course if they do not already have a C grade in both.

As results envelopes were opened at Knightstone Campus, there were jubilant scenes as it became clear that a high proportion of students had received grades they had been hoping for.

A total of 78% achieved A*- C in their Maths GCSE, which is 15% higher than the national average and 65% achieved an A*- C in their English GCSE.

Maxine Park, Curriculum Co-ordinator for Access to HE commented; “These results are fantastic. For most of our learners, GCSE’s were studied a long time ago and most have negative memories about studying maths and English.

“The majority of our students juggle family commitments and hold down employment, so studying Maths and English GCSE has added additional pressure to those who lack in confidence, self-esteem and already have busy lives.”

The excellent results of Weston College’s Access to HE students reinforces the acknowledged success of the College, which was named both College of the Year and Overall FE Provider of the Year at the 2015 TES FE Awards, and was awarded the top grade of ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2014.

Dr Paul Phillips OBE, Principal and Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that our students have managed to achieve these results, it shows how the College has provided inspiring teaching and learning and how hard our students have worked.

“These results have secured 44 adults places at universities across the country for a range of degrees from health care to social work, from criminology to law to oceanography. This study programme changes lives and we are proud to be helping these individuals to create brighter futures.”

Access student, Scott Gray of Weston-super-Mare said: “The course took the fear away of adult study, I exceeded my expectations and am delighted to be progressing to a psychology degree at the University of the West of England.”

Pavlina Vasileva of Bristol is another Access student, who is progressing to an adult nursing degree at the University of the West of England, she said: "A massive thank you to the best teachers I have ever had. The support I received at Weston College has enabled me to believe in myself, and achieve brilliant results. I have exceeded my expectations and got amazing results which mean I can progress to the next step in achieving my ambition to become a nurse.”

Weston College and the University of the West of England have announced that they are to create an Institute of Professional Education.

The move comes after the College strengthened its ties with UWE Bristol last November, when it was announced that the College had earned university centre status with the institution.

The idea behind creating the Institute is to provide learners and employers with a single organisation from which they can address all of their current and future educational and skills needs. The organisation will also provide learners with clear routes of progression between Further and Higher Education.

Dr Paul Phillips OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “I sit on numerous boards in terms of looking at the development of education in the region, and there’s one common theme that emerges: meeting the skills needs of businesses and employers.

“I don’t believe there’s an institution in existence that can meet all of an employer’s requirements on its own because when it comes to meeting skills needs, you have to take a bit of Further Education, a bit of Higher Education and all the constituent parts of the two and combining them into an overarching learning concept dedicated to directly responding to the skills needs and working as a partnership to address them.”

Dr Phillips went on to say that the partnership has the potential to be extended to include other institutions in the near future.

Professor Steve West, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West of England, said: “The future is about us developing and equipping young people with the right skills, knowledge and attributes to be able to enter the workplace and make a positive contribution to society.

“I’m delighted that we have now developed a relationship with Weston College that builds pathways to allow us to ensure that we build the skills and qualifications at all levels that will lead directly to jobs.

“The technical and professional education taught at Weston College will lead into degree level education delivered by UWE Bristol. Together we’ll be able to provide fantastic opportunities for young people to get the jobs that they need, and that we desperately need them to get.”

The partnership in the medium term will focus heavily on apprenticeship development within the region with clear progression routes from intermediate through to degree apprenticeships being established in most key technical and professional disciplines. 

Students taking English GCSEs at Weston College have smashed national benchmarks with exceptionally high pass rates.

Of the 23 students who took their GCSE English exam before Christmas, 20 achieved a grade C or above, putting the pass rate at 87% – miles ahead of the 27% national benchmark.

The students were a combination of new learners to the College and returning learners, who have previously failed to obtain the C grade required to progress to further education.

These results are a huge cause for celebration, and go to show how Weston College supports its learners to achieve.

Kelly O’Connor, Subject Area Manager for GCSE English, said: “These results just go to show how hard work really can pay off.

“I’m immensely proud of my students and am confident that they have paved their way to successful futures.”

Weston College offers several options to support learners who have previously not taken GCSE English, or haven’t achieved a C grade.

Weston College’s Hair and Beauty students have had a busy weekend at a charity event in Weston-super-Mare and an opera production in Bath.

On Saturday, 30 learners from the College’s Hair and Beauty Centre gave up their afternoon and evening to do all hair and makeup at the Weston Hospicecare Strictly Fun Dancing event. They spent a long afternoon at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, doing hair and makeup for 24 contestants at an event that raised £18,000 for the charity. 

Meanwhile, a team of 16 FdA Hair, Beauty and Prosthetics Production students were collaborating with Bath Spa learners. They completed hair and makeup for an opera production of Cosi fan Tutti at the Michael Tippett Centre in Bath. 

The project collaborating with Bath Spa Production learners has been a week long, evening commitment for the College’s FdA learners, who all spent their evenings working on the project. 

Sandra Bull, Area Manager of Hair, Beauty, Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said: “It has been a really busy weekend for our learners and staff, six of whom also gave up their Saturday to support our learners. 

“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment and dedication all of our learners show, whether they are the Hair and Beauty Centre team or our FdA learners. Not only have these events really helped them develop their skills, but they’ve also been given an opportunity to get involved with the community and help a fantastic local charity.”  
 

Selected from thousands of nominations, Weston College’s Charmaine Hale-Lynch and the Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Team are two of just 65 winners who will be celebrated today on 22nd June - ‘Thank A Teacher Day’, as the national Teaching Awards marks its 20th year of celebrating excellence in education.  Celebrations will take place in schools and colleges across England, Wales and Northern Ireland as the prestigious Silver Pearson Teaching Awards trophies are presented to outstanding teachers, teaching assistants, head teachers and lecturers.

The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.

Charmaine and the Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Team will now join fellow Silver Award winners, along with 3 Scottish Education Award winners and 3 winners of the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru, at the 20th UK Ceremony of the Pearson Teaching Awards, a glittering ceremony held in central London on 21st October.  There they will find out which of them has won one of just 12 Gold Plato Awards, the UK’s “Oscars for Teachers”.

Charmaine Hale-Lynch, winner of the Silver ‘FE Lecturer of the Year’ Teaching Award said: “I feel very honoured to receive such an award and overwhelmed by the support from the staff and everyone who took part in the process and helped in this achievement”. 

Also collecting their award for Silver ‘FE Team of the Year’ Teaching Award, Benjamin Cocks and Mandy Lee of the Student Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Team said this of their award: “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award which recognises the hard work and dedication of our team. We’re extremely grateful to have such wonderful learners, who provide the inspiration for everything that we do”. 

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Weston College Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, has commended the consistently high standard of teaching and support staff at Weston College.

He said: “This award shows Weston College staff always go above and beyond for the wellbeing of our learners. They work incredibly hard to support every learner across the College and make sure they are achieving the very best they can. 

“We are proud to be one of the top performing colleges in the country, and our continued successes are a promise that all existing and future learners will get the very best standard of education at Weston College.”

The October ceremony, titled “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”, will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC as a showcase of excellence in education.  Previous award presenters have included former prime ministers David Cameron and Tony Blair, acting legends Jenny Agutter, Alison Steadman and Sheila Hancock and sports and TV personalities including Shirley Ballas, Helen Glover, Brendan Cole and Nadiya Hussain.   

On this special, celebratory day, the Teaching Awards is encouraging members of the public to say “thank you” to a teacher who has made a difference in their lives.  Simply go to http://www.teachingawards.com/card, fill in a form online including a personal message and the teacher will receive a Thank You card in the post for free. 

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The best we can do is to pass on to children all that we know and love and mean every word. I think above all else, a teacher should be a friend, and that’s not an easy thing to do when there are 35 children out there. With these awards we are shining a light on these inspirational individuals whose efforts and commitment so often go uncelebrated.”

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: "A huge congratulations to all those receiving a silver trophy today.  They should feel extremely proud of their achievements and join an inspirational group of Teaching Award winners from the past two decades.  It’s an honour for Pearson to support these Awards each year - it’s so vital to recognise and celebrate those in the teaching profession, for their commitment to education and for the impact they have on young people's lives.“

The list of winners will be published on the Teaching Awards website at 5pm on Friday 22nd June.

Weston College music students received career advice from some of the industry’s biggest names at the recent BBC Music Introducing Live show.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the two-day event at the Tobacco Docks in London, which featured live performances and hundreds of prominent industry speakers.

These included artists, presenters, DJs, record label executives and retailers – among them Jo Whiley, Example, Kano, Joel Zimmerman (better known as ‘deadmau5’ and Gabrielle Aplin.

College students heard talks from a wide range of industry experts. They gave advice on breaking into, and working, in the music industry – whether that’s live events, songwriting, as an artist or A&R (‘artist and repertoire’ reps find and sign new artists to a label).

Students also got the opportunity to network with key figures and try out the latest technologies and even perform on the ‘open mic stage’. Level 3 Music Performance and Production student, Connor Hammond, made the most of the opportunity, performing two of his original tracks for the audience.

Another Weston College student, Ant Watts, was even featured on to the event’s highlights show reel (from 00.05-00.07).

Ant, who was filmed testing out one of the latest electronic Yamaha drum kits, said: “I found the BBC Introducing Live event really inspiring. It helped me understand the ‘ins and outs’ of the music industry, and gave me the opportunity to meet all of the great organisations that will help me in the future.”

BBC Music Introducing is a BBC Radio platform that discovers and supports unsigned and ‘under-the-radar’ UK talent. It gives artists airtime on local and national BBC radio stations, and the opportunity to play Introducing stages at festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Andy wanted to be a chef from a very young age.

His parents couldn’t keep him out of the kitchen, especially when it came to occasions like dinner parties. Andy loved experimenting in the kitchen and his brother would often play ‘guinea pig’ by trying his creations!

Andy trained at Weston College from 1988 to 1990. Once qualified, he took his first job in a little two-rosette French restaurant in the Bristol area.

After two years of intense training and hard work, he took his first large hotel job at Bristol Marriott Royal. He saw this as an opportunity to develop skills in other areas, such as large banqueting and busy bistro style food, as well as dipping in and out of the fine dining restaurant.

After three years and two promotions, he moved on to moat house hotels, working at the Crowne Plaza and The Billesley Manor Hotel - a two-rosette property.

Andy’s first head chef job was with Novotel Bristol. After just three years, he became the company’s development chef for the UK!

Andy has enjoyed many travel opportunities – working in countries such as Morocco, Philippines and Thailand for the Sofitel Hotels and Resorts five-star brand. He loved every minute of working abroad, seeing different cultures and learning all about new flavours and cooking methods.

Andy worked as executive chef for Novotel UK for 12 years before leaving to work in a similar capacity within the Devere Hotel Group.

Andy is now heading up the team at Backwell house and loves the luxury boutique hotel environment.

He uses his wealth of industry experience to mentor the next generation with his masterclasses at Weston College.

See what course we offer here or contact us on 01934 411 411.

Weston College has joined forces with Heart of Worcestershire College to help the fight for more funding in further education (FE).

Due to the current climate in FE, considering the major changes in scrutiny and funding streams, Principals and Governors from both Colleges decided to meet to share and develop innovative and financially robust strategies to ensure long term sustainability. During the initial meeting the group also discussed how they can support the national ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign.

Love Our Colleges is making the case for extra government funding and fair pay in FE. It also highlights the great work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible.

The campaign is supported by the Association of Colleges and a string of trade unions – as well as individual colleges, students and FE staff.

Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “Our meeting with Heart of Worcestershire College’s Principal and Governors was extremely productive.

“The current funding situation is not sustainable, which is why this campaign is so important. It has gained wide-spread support and national attention through numerous events – but we mustn’t let the momentum slow. Colleges must continue working together and keep ‘knocking on the government’s door’.”

From 2009 to 2019, college funding has been cut by around 30%. This drop in funding has led to:

• Fewer hours of teaching and support for young people
• A reduction in the number of learning opportunities for adults
• The value of staff pay falling by over 25% since 2009
• College teachers earning £7,000 less on average than school teachers.

Stuart Laverick, Principal and Chief Executive of Heart of Worcestershire College, said: “Weston and Heart of Worcestershire have worked hard to invest in buildings and equipment to ensure students and staff have the modern resources needed to support high-quality learning.

“This has come at significant cost with the majority of the funding coming from college reserves that have now been significantly depleted. To maintain and develop the colleges’ estates in the next decade – and realise national productivity ambitions – there will have to more dedicated capital funding from government.”

Colleges are an essential part of England’s education system, educating and training 2.2 million people every year. They transform lives, enable people make the most of their talents and ambitions, and drive social mobility. Furthermore, colleges work closely with local and national businesses, helping them improve productivity and drive economic growth.

Collaboration between colleges is essential for recognising the importance and relevance of FE. The Love Our Colleges campaign helps to raise awareness of the current demands and struggles within the sector, as well as focusing on what needs to be done to allow colleges to continue to grow and provide countless benefits to their communities.

Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group with Stuart Laverick, Principal and Chief Executive of Heart of Worcestershire College.

Governors from Weston College and Heart of Worcestershire College working together.