We recently caught up with Ashana, who passed her English GCSE after moving to the UK from Guyana in 2022 at just 18 years old.  

Ashana put in a lot of effort to complete her English GCSE at Weston College. While she’s always been good at English, she mentioned that learning it in the UK was ‘different’ from what she was used to, as the teaching style in Guyana wasn’t the same. Despite these differences, she was able to adapt and learn the new methods and overcome any discrepancies. 

At Weston College, she found that English was easier to grasp because the lessons weren’t rushed or crammed, allowing her to break things down and understand the material more easily. 

Ashana’s English lecturer, Tania, found that she was ‘motivated’ and ‘keen to try her best’ throughout her studies, even though she missed her family and Guyana terribly since moving. However, Ashana had a ‘talented way with words’ and infused her creative writing with her rich cultural background which was reflected in her work from the beginning. 

Ashana was given written and verbal feedback from her lecturers to support her and develop her confidence but also help her feel connected and not alone at Weston College.  

It was also appreciated by Ashana how ‘supportive’ and ‘friendly’ the staff were as they were always ready to help with any questions she had. Not only did she value the Weston College team, but she also found her favourite facility on Knightstone campus to be the library, thanks to its many resources and study spaces.  

As a department, Tania and her colleagues were ‘proud of her achievement in English’.  

Now, Ashana plans to stay at Weston College to complete an Early Years course, with hopes of becoming a teacher in the future. She wants to make learning ‘fun for children’ and inspire them to enjoy school. 

We wish you all the best, Ashana, and can’t wait to see you back in September! 

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 welcomed learners from across all Career Excellence Hubs today, for Welcome Fest.  

Learners and staff gathered to get to know each other before the hard work officially begins next week.  

Throughout the day, many exciting activities took place across college, to break the ice amongst pupils and allow them to form friendships and bonds. 

In most areas, the day started with an induction talk to welcome back students to the college and discuss expectations and important information. This prepared the learners by providing them with all the information they need to proceed with their studies at Weston College. 

Following on from this, there were many exciting activities held at South West Skills and Loxton campus, ranging from scavenger hunts, to building dens and dropping eggs. While at Knightstone, specific departments did different activities such as Protective Services bleep tests, and Early Years also completing an egg drop test. 

The Health and Active Living Skills Centre at Loxton campus hosted the scavenger hunt for their learners by dotting QR codes all over campus. This was a fun and interactive way for new students to familiarise themselves with the different buildings and departments. 

The Art department at Loxton campus also took the festivities to a new level by allowing students to express their creativity with different projects, such as artwork, collages, and collaborative projects created over 2 days in a variety of styles and medium. 

But the fun didn’t stop there! Learners in the Art department also worked in groups to build a den with different media and resources, using their initiative and thinking creatively to produce unique structures for their dens. They then created paper planes which they threw at targets with a token reward system to use for upcoming projects, creating a very exciting day for the Art students at Loxton. 

Another activity that was popular among departments was the ‘egg drop’. This egg-citing task allowed students to work together and create the most effective method to keep their eggs safe in both Art and Early Years.  

The Welcome Fest also allowed people to put their subjects into practice in certain areas so they got a taste of what they would be working on throughout their course at Weston College.  

The Media department took this idea in stride by allowing their students to complete a camera interview workshop where they all took turns filming, interviewing, and using the mic. 

Overall, Welcome Fest turned out to be a huge success amongst the students and staff, with one learner saying, “today has been really fun and everyone has been so welcoming”. It allowed many students to not only flex their skills and experience their subject on a practical level, but it also gave them a chance to bond with others and build new friendships with their peers. 

Good luck to all learners starting with us in the next couple of weeks.  

If you would like to join us, it isn’t too late to apply. You can find our courses, by clicking here.  

Today we’re celebrating Into Work student Orlan! He has recently been supported by Weston College to find work at Haven Holiday Park’s Mini Mart, which helps to supply snacks and supplies to holidaymakers.  

When applying for the Customer Service Associate position, Orlan also received crucial assistance from his job coaches. Their guidance through the application and interview process helped him feel prepared and reassured, ultimately leading to his successful employment. Orlan said: “The support staff and job coaches at Weston College have helped me with the job process by giving me guidance and showing me how the job and application processes work.” 

At the Mini Mart, Orlan helps when the shop receives a delivery, as well as sweeping, waste disposal and facing up (pulling items to the front on the shelves). Initially, Orlan faced some nervousness about transitioning from college to the workplace. However, with time and support, he grew more confident and comfortable in his position. The Into Work program at Weston College played a significant role in this transition. Job coaches Andy and Glen provide consistent support during Orlan’s shifts, helping him navigate his duties and adapt to the work environment. 

Orlan’s Tutor Becky praised him saying: “Orlan has made significant progress during his time at college. He has achieved English, Maths and has made huge steps towards preparing for adulthood through becoming an independent traveller and developing excellent communication skills. I have most enjoyed witnessing Orlan recognise the value that employment can bring to his life through engaging with several work experience placements and now thriving in a paid role showcasing his skills and talents. He is a great role model and advocate for young people moving into the workplace.”  

Orlan’s journey is a testament to the Into Work program, which is designed to help students with additional needs transition smoothly into the workforce. By providing personalized support and practical guidance, Weston College empowers its students to achieve their career goals and develop greater independence. 

This supported employment forms part of the Supported Employment 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. 

To find out more Orlan’s program, click here!