Weston College learners are celebrating today after receiving their GCSE qualifications in Maths and English, with the College recording improved results compared with last year. The College has seen achievement rates increase across both subjects, with over 99% of learners who sat GCSE exams achieving a grade.

In addition, 24.9% of learners who re-sat their GCSE Maths achieved a Grade 4 or above, which is nearly 10% above the national outcomes seen this summer.

For English 27.6% of learners who re-sat GCSE English Language achieved a Grade 4 or above. Similar to maths, significantly above the national outcome of 19.8%.

Among the many learner success stories celebrated today is Leo, previously home educated, he studied English and Maths. Reflecting on his achievement, he said:

"I am so happy – I have achieved better grades than I was expecting. I really enjoyed the classroom environment, we had a close-knit group and everyone was so friendly. This really helped me with revision, as we could revise in groups as well as in the revision sessions. I am now moving on to a photography course."

Another standout success is Holly, who collected her GCSE English result today. Holly said: 

"I’m incredibly proud myself. The support and encouragement I received from my mum and teachers played a huge part in helping me succeed. Everyone collecting their results today should be proud of the effort they’ve put in. If you don’t get the result you were hoping for, don’t worry. I chose to resit, and now I’ve achieved the grade I was aiming for."

After working hard towards their GCSE English qualification, Maisy was delighted to receive her results today. She said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to pass my GCSE Maths today. My teacher, Nadezhada, is the best teacher I have ever had, and I wouldn’t have been able to pass without her support. Now that I have this qualification, I’m moving on to a job with Ward Solicitors.”

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive, Pat Jones, said:

"Today is about celebrating determination, perseverance and personal achievement. We know that for many learners, gaining qualifications in English and Maths requires significant commitment alongside their wider studies, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

"These results reflect the ambition of our learners to develop their skills and improve their future opportunities, as well as the dedication of staff who support them with compassion and encouragement every step of the way.

"As a people-centred college, we are committed to helping every learner fulfil their potential, regardless of their starting point. Whether they are progressing to further study, an apprenticeship or employment, these qualifications provide an important foundation for their next steps and brighter futures."

There is still time for prospective students to secure a place at Weston College for September 2026. Whether you're interested in A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships or higher education, our team is on hand to help you find the right pathway. Visit www.weston.ac.uk  to explore your options and apply online, or pop into one of our receptions where our staff will be happy to answer any questions and support you with your application. 

Tomorrow (Thursday 20 August) is GCSE Results Day, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our Level 2 students to the South West Skills Campus to collect their results, celebrate their achievements and find out what comes next.

The Results Day will run from 8:30am to 12:00pm, with students welcomed to the campus from 9:00am via Main Reception. The event is open to students studying GCSE, Vocational, UAL, Level 2 BTEC and NCFE programmes, with our teams on hand to celebrate their achievements and offer advice and guidance.

Parents and carers are also warmly encouraged to attend and share the occasion with their young person.

Important information for students

Students should bring their Student ID card when collecting their results.

Results will also be available through MyWeston from 8:30am.

If you’re unable to attend in person, someone can collect your results on your behalf. They will need to bring:

• Your Student ID card
• A signed letter of permission from you
• Their own photographic identification

Any results not collected by 2:00pm will be posted to the address we have on record. Please note that results cannot be provided by telephone or email.

Got questions about your GCSE results? We’re here to help!

If you’re a school leaver and feel unsure about what your GCSE results mean for your next steps, our GCSE Results Guidance Surgeries will be available at South West Skills Campus:

• Thursday 20 August, 11:00am–4:00pm
• Friday 21 August, 9:00am–3:30pm

Whether you’re worried about how your results could affect your offer, have changed your mind about your chosen subject or course, or simply need advice about the options available to you, our friendly team will be on hand to provide personalised guidance and support.

We can help you:

• Understand how your results may affect your course offer
• Explore alternative courses and pathways
• Discuss changing your subject choice
• Find the right option if your plans have changed

There’s no need to navigate your next steps alone. Come and speak to our advisors, who can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your future.

Whatever your results, we’re here to support you. Good luck to everyone receiving their results – we look forward to welcoming you and helping you take your next step with confidence!

Last week, Weston College hosted a Beauty Therapy WorldSkills International Pressure Test ahead of the upcoming WorldSkills Shanghai competition, welcoming competitors from Team UK, Northern Ireland, and Spain. The event provided a valuable opportunity for competitors to test themselves in a high-pressure but supported environment while offering staff and peers a unique insight into the different techniques, approaches and professional standards demonstrated across countries.

Over four days, competitors completed a series of Beauty Therapy practical assessments designed to replicate the intensity of the WorldSkills competitions. These included full body masks, hot stone massages, facials, leg and underarm waxing, lash lift and tint, brow lamination and tint, manicure and pedicure, and creative makeovers. Each task challenged participants to demonstrate exceptional technical ability, precision, organisation, adaptability and time management under strict competition conditions.

Experiences like these help raise the aspirations of our current learners, provide valuable insight into the opportunities available through skills competitions, and encourage them to pursue challenges like this which will enhance their abilities. They also strengthen links with industry and international partners, creating networking opportunities and reinforcing Weston College's reputation as a high-achieving Careers Excellence Hub.

Hosting competitions like these provide Weston College with a fantastic opportunity to welcome international competitors and raise the profile of our learners and the college. Not only this, students, staff, and competitors are able to observe industry-leading professionals in action, gaining first-hand exposure to the standards, techniques and professionalism expected at the highest level of the beauty industry.  

The treatments carried out during the Pressure Test were offered to Weston College staff, allowing competitors to perform on real clients in a realistic competition setting. Staff not only supported the competitors throughout the event but also experienced the exceptional standard of treatments being delivered, helping to create a realistic environment that closely reflected the requirements of an international competition.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Industries at Weston College, said, “Being able to host Pressure Tests like this and welcome international competitors is a fantastic opportunity for Weston College and provides excellent networking opportunities for our students. It highlights our high-quality facilities whilst demonstrating the standards of talent and support that our current learners receive when studying at Weston College. We encourage as many enrichment opportunities and experiences as possible to ensure our students have a wide skillset and are prepared for the expectations and careers available to them within the Beauty Therapy industry.”

Good luck to all the competitors competing in WorldSkills Shanghai next month!

This visit forms part of the Beauty Therapy 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. 

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.