The Schools Minister, David Laws, has praised Weston College's 'high quality' education and provision for pupils with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) during a visit this week (Wednesday).

Mr Laws, the Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, met College leaders at the Knightstone Campus before travelling to Weston Bay, the College's bespoke facility for learners on the autism spectrum.

There, he chatted with students and staff and toured the facilities, which include accommodation designed to help students with the transition from home to university.

Dr Paul Phillips, Weston College Principal and Chief Executive, welcomed Mr Laws and introduced him to Jacqui Ford, Assistant Principal (Strategic Partnership and Curriculum Development) who is responsible for LDD provision.

Mr Laws was shown a film giving an introduction to Weston College and its campuses, before heading down the seafront to the Weston Bay facility.

He asked students about accommodation, transport, course provision and how they have been supported by Weston College.

Josie Ewers, who is studying for a BA Honours degree in Art and Professional Studies, told Mr Laws she came to the Weston Bay facility for a trial period of two weeks.

“I ended up staying for three months,” she said. “I found the staff to be very nice and helpful right from day one.”

After the visit Mr Laws praised the College. He said: “I've been really impressed by the fantastic range of provision at Weston College, and it just shows what a College at its very best can achieve.

“It's pleasing to see so many initiatives being pioneered here, particularly those in regard to Special Educational Needs. From what I've seen, it's obviously having a big impact and the support for such students is excellent.

“The Government's educational aim for FE is about creating very high quality provision for 16-18-year-olds. We are also encouraging young people to continue to Higher Education in their home town without compromising on quality. In these two areas, Weston College is definitely ticking the right boxes.”

Dr Paul Phillips OBE, Principal and Chief Executive Weston College said: “The meeting with David Laws MP provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of the whole College but in part to report concerns both locally and regionally with regards to the method for supporting young people and adults who have Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. 

“The response from David Laws was highly analytical and he has promised to look into this matter which is vital for teaching and learning across the South West.  As Principal of the College I was impressed by both the dedication and lines of enquiry put forward by the minister.”

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.

A moody seascape has earned a Weston College student two coveted awards in a national photographic competition.

Ed French, 16, entered the National Historic Ships Photography Competition with a picture he took by Marine Lake, Weston, and was presented with the awards at a ceremony on board HMS Belfast in London.

Ed, of Devonshire Road, Weston, scooped the First Prize in his category, ‘Young Photographer Historic Ship or Seascape’, and was overall winner of the competition’s ‘Young Photographer UK’ class.

He was handed his awards by BBC TV presenter Julia Bradbury following a celebration lunch aboard the historic warship.

Now studying a Level Three BTEC Extended Diploma in Photography at Weston College, Ed was a pupil of Broadoak School when the photo was taken. On the day he took it the rain had cleared, leaving a cloudy sky. Ed cycled down to the Marine Lake, by Knightstone Island, and took the picture with a compact digital camera.

He said: “I was very surprised and delighted to win the awards. Mine was the last category to be announced so it was a very tense wait.”

Ed won a £400 digital camera for Broadoak School and a group visit to the SS Great Britain ship in Bristol.

Weston College Photography lecturer Jamie Dormer-Durling said: “I am really pleased for Ed’s success. We like to encourage our students to enter photography competitions; it’s highly motivational and gives a great boost to their confidence. Ed is thinking of continuing to the FdA Photography Course at Weston College where I’m sure he will continue to flourish as a photographer.”