Weston College recently welcomed colleagues from the Department for Education (DfE) to showcase its inclusive approach to supporting learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those experiencing disadvantage, and learners requiring mental health support. 

The visit gave the DfE the opportunity to see how inclusion is embedded across the College, from specialist SEND provision and supported employment pathways to mental health support and strong partnerships with local communities and external organisations. 

DfE visitors Paddy Breeze, Post-16 SEND Policy Adviser, and Mike Lewis, Mental Health Policy Adviser, both from the Social Justice and Disadvantage Division, met with staff and learners to hear more about how Weston College is translating national priorities into practical, day-to-day support for young people. 

During the visit, the College highlighted several key initiatives designed to improve outcomes, wellbeing and progression for learners. These included the Five Cs for a Compassionate College, the Equity in Education Framework, and the impact of its specialist SEND curriculum and Supported Employment Excellence Hub. Together, these initiatives reflect a whole-college commitment to equity, inclusion and opportunity. 

The visit was particularly timely, coming soon after the launch of Weston College’s Inclusion Strategy and Inclusion Promise in January, as well as the introduction of the new Ofsted inspection framework with its increased focus on inclusion. It also aligns with national discussions ahead of the expected publication of the new SEND White Paper. 

Ben Knocks, Deputy Principal at Weston College, said: 

“We were really pleased to welcome colleagues from the Department for Education and to share the work we are doing across the College to support SEND learners and those facing disadvantage. Inclusion is not a bolt-on for us – it sits at the heart of everything we do. Our Inclusion Strategy and Inclusion Promise are about making sure every learner and member of staff feels supported, understood and able to succeed, whatever their starting point.” 

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for discussion and shared learning around inclusion, SEND and mental health support in further education, and how national priorities are being reflected in practice at college level. 

Last night, we were proud to host our annual Apprenticeship Open Evening, welcoming prospective students, parents and carers to explore the exciting career pathways available through apprenticeships.

With 500 people registered to attend, the event once again demonstrated the growing demand for high-quality apprenticeship opportunities. Visitors had the opportunity to speak directly with employers and our dedicated Apprenticeships Team, gaining valuable insight into live vacancies, industry expectations and progression routes.

Attendees explored opportunities across a wide range of sectors including Engineering, Construction, Business, Health, Early Years, Digital and Public Services.

We would like to thank the following employers for supporting the event:

• Gilbert Ash
• Cardo Group
• RED Construction Ltd
• Howards Group
• Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology
• National Composites Centre
• Airbus
• Baker Hughes
• Ministry of Defence
• The Bristol Port Company
• Babcock International Group
• GKN Aerospace
• YMCA Dulverton Group
• Rydal Day Nursery
• Thatchers Cider
• University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
• Avon and Somerset Police
• IPECO
• Taylor Woodrow
• Shared Apprenticeships

Their continued partnership plays a vital role in connecting learners with real employment opportunities and helping to develop the future workforce across our region.

If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships and view our current vacancies, click here.

Our Sports students recently took part in a workshop with Damian from the Somerset Cricket Foundation, where the students learnt how to play and referee table cricket, an inclusive cricket activity which makes cricket accessible for everyone, especially SEND students.

This workshop gave them a basic understanding of how to referee a game of table cricket, practicing the rules and scoring system to enable them to coach other players for their upcoming tournament with local specialist schools, Baytree School and Ravenswood School.

Damian is an Adult Disability Officer, and ahead of the tournament, he discussed the importance of enforcing an inclusive environment during the students’ sport and coaching careers. To hear the learners’ thoughts, Damian asked them how they would adapt their leadership style to encourage inclusion based on individual differences when they become coaches. Students engaged with this well, giving thoughtful answers surrounding patience, understanding, leniency, support, and adaptability. This was a fantastic reflection of the maturity and consideration the students have developed throughout their course so far to ensure an inclusive environment.

During the tournament, our students engaged with the Baytree and Ravenswood students, explaining the rules clearly and concisely, and working with them to ensure all learners were involved. Not only this, our Weston College learners acted as the referees for each game, keeping score and giving words of encouragement throughout.

This interaction was lovely to see, with all our students showing support and reassurance to the participants, chatting to them and their teachers to ensure extra support was given to those who needed it.

The workshop provided our Sports Coaching students with a valuable opportunity to develop both their practical and interpersonal skills in an inclusive sporting environment. By learning and officiating table cricket, students gained a deeper understanding of how sport can be adapted to meet the needs of SEND participants. This not only enhanced their technical knowledge as referees, but also strengthened their leadership and confidence in delivering sessions and leading activities in real-world environments.

More importantly, the experience significantly contributed to their personal and professional development. Through discussions around inclusion and their interactions with learners from Baytree School and Ravenswood School, students demonstrated maturity, empathy, and adaptability which are key qualities for any future coach or educator. Their ability to communicate clearly, provide encouragement, and tailor their approach to individual needs highlights their readiness for careers in sport.

Overall, this hands-on experience reinforced the importance of creating inclusive environments and equipped students with the skills and mindset needed to positively impact diverse groups in their future roles.

A huge thank you to Damian and the Somerset Cricket Foundation for teaching our students valuable lessons in inclusion and giving them this opportunity to broaden their skillset and better prepare them for their future careers.

This tournament forms part of the Sport and Fitness 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.