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.

Weston College is celebrating the launch of its first cohort of Engineering Foundation Apprenticeships, with 21 learners enrolling with GKN Aerospace this week. This represents almost two thirds of all Foundation Apprenticeship starts nationally since the programme launched in August 2025.

The milestone comes as new national figures show that just 36 Foundation Apprentices have started across England in the first three months of the government-backed initiative, highlighting the significance of Weston College’s early progress in delivering the programme with GKN Aerospace.

Introduced by the government in August 2025, the Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship is designed to provide a supportive entry route into technical careers for young people who may not yet be ready to start a full Level 2 apprenticeship. Weston College’s partnership with GKN Aerospace has resulted in one of the largest early cohorts nationally, positioning the College and the employer as early adopters of the new pathway.

The 21 apprentices were officially onboarded this week, with Weston College staff attending the GKN Aerospace site to support induction and welcome learners onto the programme.

All recruits are enrolled on the Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship, which places emphasis on attitude, curiosity and motivation, rather than formal academic achievement. There are no minimum academic entry requirements, ensuring the programme is accessible to young people with the potential to succeed in engineering.

The Foundation Apprenticeship lasts eight months and is delivered through a block-release model, shared between Weston College and GKN Aerospace. The programme begins with a strong focus on employability skills, confidence building and workplace behaviours, before progressing into technical learning and practical industry experience.

On completion, learners can move on to a Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship, followed by a possible progression onto a Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, creating a clear progression and career development pathway within the sector.

GKN Aerospace has taken a deliberately different and innovative approach to recruitment for the programme, focusing on potential rather than prior attainment. By removing minimum academic entry requirements and working closely with Weston College to reach young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, the company has widened access to engineering careers while building a strong future talent pipeline for the business.

The new apprentices have spoken positively about the opportunity and their future ambitions in engineering. Harry said: “I am excited about starting this foundation apprenticeship. I see it as an excellent entry point into a great career. I am passionate about mechanical and scientific work and prefer hands-on learning, which is why an apprenticeship is the ideal route for me. I am committed to building a long-term career with GKN Aerospace and am open to progressing to higher qualification levels in the future.”

Rubie added: “This feels like the right opportunity for me as it aligns with my long-standing interest in engineering. I want to pursue my career ambitions while I am young and see this apprenticeship as a strong foundation for the future. I am open to seeing where the apprenticeship leads but would like to work towards a Level 6 qualification in the long term.”

With employer demand continuing to grow and further cohorts already under discussion, Weston College believes its partnership-led approach could help accelerate the national take-up of Foundation Apprenticeships.