Higher Education for North Somerset gets a step closer

Weston College of Further and Higher Education are taking a major step to enhance their already highly successful delivery of Higher Education. 

The College has submitted two key bids to the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which, if successful, will bring in bespoke centres for high technologies and professional services to the region.  Both these centres will be built in Weston-super-Mare and will provide a major catalyst for business regeneration.

If the bids are successful there is an opportunity for state-of-the-art facilities in both disciplines and a growth in students studying and living in North Somerset.  The Professional Studies Academy is a response to employers for an existing demand for specific training in a wide range of disciplines.  This includes law, accountancy, business, management, justice services and many more.  Simultaneously the High Technology Centre will include bespoke facilities for composite engineering, digital media, computer-aided design and games design.

The College bids have been supported by North Somerset Council and a range of other agencies.  There is a joint ambition to have 1,000 undergraduates in Weston-super-Mare within the next twenty four months, with a longer term ambition to grow this provision significantly in conjunction with other key partners. 

Both the College, Council and others are aware of the potential for the future which will build upon the significant success already achieved.  In January this year the College received the highest accolade from Ofsted when it gained Outstanding status for its provision.  This made the College the very first in the South West under the new Ofsted framework to gain such recognition.  In addition, almost 100 per cent of graduates from the degree courses progressed to employment within months of graduating.  The 2014 statistics indicated that more than 20 per cent achieved first class honours, significantly above the national average for the UK. 

Dr Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “The West of England LEP has set a dynamic standard for skills, development and economic regeneration.  Our bid is massively important for both the town and the region.  If successful, the LEP will in reality provide the leverage to bring state of the art facilities to the area.  In an ideal world I would hope that such facilities would not only effect major change but could provide community resources for use by everyone.”

Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Higher Education provision is vital to the growing employment needs of Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset and the wider West of England area.

“We are working closely with Weston College to ensure they can deliver their ambitions for a greater emphasis on learning in the town centre which will in turn provide a catalyst for further regeneration opportunities.”