Weston College’s catering students learned about budgeting on Wednesday (18 January) as they went head to head in a ‘market challenge’.

The students were tasked with sourcing local ingredients from Arthur David Food Wholesalers in Bishop Sutton before bringing them back to the College and creating menu items priced at £1.50 each.

The students created a selection of appetising dishes which were then put on sale to College staff, with the team who sold the most winning a day at a Michelin star restaurant courtesy of the Chefs’ Forum.

The students were assisted in the kitchen by Steven Shore, Chef at Arthur David, who provided expert advice as the students cooked their meals.

The winning team included Alice Ruff, Joe Gallagher and Luke Johnson-Brown, who impressed College staff with a spicy winter vegetable tagine followed by plumb crumble and custard.

Richard Tudor, Chef Lecturer at Weston College, said: “The idea behind the market challenge was to teach our students how to cook to a budget and ensure that they can turn a profit.

“The students also got to experience liaising with suppliers and working to the demands of a professional kitchen.”

Weston College’s catering students benefit from being a part of the Chefs’ Forum Academy, which enables top chefs from across the region to work with the College’s students in order to give them expert advice and open the doors to many business and employment opportunities after they’ve finished their qualifications.

Students taking English GCSEs at Weston College have smashed national benchmarks with exceptionally high pass rates.

Of the 23 students who took their GCSE English exam before Christmas, 20 achieved a grade C or above, putting the pass rate at 87% – miles ahead of the 27% national benchmark.

The students were a combination of new learners to the College and returning learners, who have previously failed to obtain the C grade required to progress to further education.

These results are a huge cause for celebration, and go to show how Weston College supports its learners to achieve.

Kelly O’Connor, Subject Area Manager for GCSE English, said: “These results just go to show how hard work really can pay off.

“I’m immensely proud of my students and am confident that they have paved their way to successful futures.”

Weston College offers several options to support learners who have previously not taken GCSE English, or haven’t achieved a C grade.

Weston College has announced a partnership with Uphill Cricket Club which will see the two organisations share facilities and work closely in developing cricketing in the local community.

Weston College’s Academy of Sport will be given access to Uphill Cricket Club and Uphill Football Club, and, in turn, the cricket club will be able to use the indoor sports hall at Weston College Academy on Sunday afternoons.

The Academy of Sport will also support Uphill Cricket Club to recruit junior players in primary and secondary schools, and enable the club to access College courses such as first aid and safeguarding.

Paul Taylor, Sports Development and Performance Manager at Weston College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students and Uphill Cricket Club.

“Uphill is a brilliant community partner. We are both really focused on engaging the wider community and are looking to encourage both male and female players with our programmes as well as those who may never have played.”

Weston College’s Academy of Sport offers aspiring sportsmen and women an opportunity to further develop their potential. It provides students outstanding coaching, training and support both individually and as a team, enabling students on all courses access to sporting activities outside of their academic studies.

You can find out more at www.sportweston.co.uk