The Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) is on target to open its doors as planned in Filton, Bristol, marking an exciting new chapter for technical education and the Weston College Group.

Following months of hard work, construction of the new specialist campus has been completed on schedule. With teaching staff now on site and final preparations underway, AMTEC is ready to welcome its first learners.

A significant milestone in the project was reached this week as Senior Capital Works Project Manager Mark Eustace officially handed over the keys to the new facility to Vice Principal of AMTEC, Andy Smith, marking the transition from construction and fit-out to teaching and learning preparations ahead of opening.

Located in the heart of Filton, one of the UK's leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing hubs, AMTEC has been created to deliver high-quality technical training for the next generation of skilled engineers and manufacturing professionals.

The new Technical Excellence College will provide specialist training across aerospace and advanced manufacturing, working closely with major employers and SMEs across the region, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN and Babcock.

Teaching begins on Monday 28th September, when AMTEC's first cohort of learners will start their studies, with around 200 apprentices expected on the first day and approximately 700 apprentices due to attend the new campus throughout its first week of operation.

The development represents a significant investment in the future of technical education and the region's engineering and manufacturing sectors, creating a dedicated environment where apprentices can develop the practical skills, technical expertise and industry experience needed by employers. As a Technical Excellence College, AMTEC will play a key role in supporting economic growth, addressing skills shortages and helping to build the highly skilled workforce required for the future of UK manufacturing and engineering.

Andy Smith, Vice Principal of AMTEC, said:

"AMTEC is on target to open as planned, and it is incredibly exciting to see the vision for this new college becoming a reality.

"The completion of the building work, the arrival of our teaching team and the preparations for our first learners are all major milestones. We have created a genuinely outstanding facility in the heart of one of the UK's most important aerospace and advanced manufacturing communities.

"Receiving the keys to the building marks the beginning of the next chapter as we focus on delivering an exceptional learning experience for our apprentices. Our ambition is for AMTEC to become a centre of excellence for technical education, working hand in hand with employers to give our learners the skills and experience they need to build successful careers and support the future of these vital industries." 

Mark Eustace, Senior Capital Works Project Manager for AMTEC, said: 

"Handing over the keys to Andy and the Curriculum team is a proud moment and marks the culmination of a tremendous effort from everyone involved in delivering this project. 

"From initial planning through to completion, the focus has been on creating a technical training facility that meets the needs of both learners and industry. It has been fantastic to see the building take shape, and I am delighted to officially pass the campus over to the team who will bring it to life through teaching, learning and employer engagement." 

With its doors nearly ready to open, AMTEC is preparing for an exciting new chapter, helping to develop the skilled workforce that will drive the future of aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Weston College has welcomed new and returning students for the 2026/27 academic year, with each Career Excellence Hub hosting a range of induction activities designed to help learners settle into college life, meet their peers and staff, and get to know their new learning environment.

The year began with Welcome Talks led by the College Executive Team. These sessions introduced students to the College’s leadership team and outlined key expectations for the year ahead, alongside important policies and procedures to help learners make a confident start to their studies.

Across the campuses, faculties also organised a variety of activities combining fun, creativity and practical learning.

Animal Management students toured the Puxton Park campus, met the animals, and took part in hands-on team-building activities.

Business and Travel learners took part in human bingo and a range of icebreakers, while Art & Design students created a collaborative ‘Class of 2027’, using collages and personalised playing cards to showcase their creativity.

For some learners, induction provided an early opportunity to get hands-on with their future careers. Hospitality & Catering and Hairdressing & Beauty learners began developing essential kitchen and salon skills, while Media students completed practical diagnostic activities, becoming familiar with the equipment and techniques they will use throughout their studies.

A Levels students explored their campus through a scavenger hunt before taking part in introductory subject sessions. Health & Social Care learners worked with interactive simulation dummies during practical assessments and observations, while Sport students got active with team-building and multi-sport challenges.

Meanwhile, Performing Arts students were introduced to the course through choreography sessions and fun group challenges, including a creative competition to create a wedding dress using toilet paper.

Learners across Automotive, Digital, Construction, Early Years, Engineering, Games & Animation, Graphic Design, Music, Photography and Protective Services also took part in icebreakers, problem-solving challenges and team activities, helping them build relationships while tackling challenges linked to their chosen subjects.

These Welcome Days play an important role in helping learners make a positive transition into college. Alongside introducing students to their courses and learning environments, they provide an opportunity to build confidence, develop friendships and start creating a sense of belonging from day one.

At Weston College, we know that starting a new chapter can feel daunting, so we are committed to creating a welcoming and engaging experience for every learner.

It has been fantastic to see our new and returning students make such a positive start to the year, and we can’t wait to see everything they go on to achieve throughout 2026/27!

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.

Over the last few months we have listened carefully to feedback from learners, parents and carers about the cost and effectiveness of student travel. In addition to working with First Bus to increase certain route frequencies, as well change journey routes to better accommodate our learners, we have reviewed the way the College subsidises student travel for the 2026/27 academic year.

What is changing?

We want to be open and transparent about how our student travel support works and why changes have been made this year.

From September 2026, the College subsidy for student bus passes will be based on the distance a learner travels to College.

This means that learners travelling further will receive a higher level of College subsidy, with any learner whose travel is greater than 1.5 miles receiving subsidised transport, and the greatest level of support being provided to those travelling more than 15 miles.

We recognise that this change will mean some learners and families paying more than they did in 2025/26. We understand that this may be disappointing, particularly at a time when families are carefully managing household budgets.

Our analysis indicates that around 95% of learners who access a College-supported bus pass will get their college bus pass for free or pay less under the new model. Whilst we see this is as a positive step in our work around equity and equal opportunities, as part of our new Inclusion Strategy, we do acknowledge that this change will impact a very small number of learners and families in needing to pay slightly more than they did in 2025/26, when calculated over the course of the academic year.

Whilst this will be disappointing for those within this small group, we have ensured that even those who would pay the full price, still pay significantly less than the equivalent at other local colleges.

We are working on further strategies on how we can improve not just cost, but access and effectiveness of our transport offer with our partners. We are hopeful to be able to provide some exciting updates in the coming months.

How much will I pay?

The full cost of the First Bus pass varies by term because each pass covers a different number of travel days.

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

The Autumn Term pass costs more because it covers more travel days. The cost reduces in the Spring and Summer Terms to reflect the number of days included in each pass.

Why has the College changed the subsidy?

The cost of the bus pass is set by First Bus, rather than Weston College.

The College provides a significant subsidy towards the cost of student passes for eligible learners. We have reviewed how this financial support is distributed to make sure that a greater proportion of the available support is directed towards learners who face the highest travel costs.

Feedback gathered through learner voice activities highlighted concerns about the affordability of longer-distance travel. This feedback helped inform our decision to introduce a distance-based subsidy model.

Under the new model:

• Learners living more than 1.5 miles from the College receive a minimum subsidy of 25%.
• Learners travelling further receive a higher level of subsidy under the tiered model.
• Learners travelling more than 15 miles receive a 75% subsidy.
• Learners eligible for the College bursary will receive fully funded travel.

We believe this approach provides greater support to learners who face the highest travel costs.

What if my family is struggling to afford the bus pass?

We are committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent learners from accessing education.

Families with a household income of £45,688 or below may be eligible for support through the College bursary scheme, subject to the bursary eligibility criteria.

Eligible learners can receive fully funded travel, meaning there is no cost for their bus pass.

If you think your family may be eligible, we strongly encourage you to apply for bursary support by clicking this link.

Greater flexibility for learners

First Bus has decided to no longer offer the five-day pass. As a result, all Weston College student passes are now valid seven days a week, giving learners greater use of their pass outside their normal College timetable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the subsidy changed?

The College has reviewed its travel support to prioritise learners who face the highest travel costs. Feedback from learners highlighted concerns about the affordability of longer journeys, which helped inform the new distance-based model.

How do I know which subsidy applies to my child?

The subsidy is based on the distance between your home postcode and the College. Applicants complete a form via the College website, which is then verified by the College Finance Team.

Can I apply for financial help if I cannot afford the bus pass?

Yes. Families meeting the bursary eligibility criteria should apply for support through the College bursary scheme.

Why is the Autumn pass more expensive?

The Autumn pass covers more travel days than the Spring and Summer passes, so it has a higher cost. The 2026/27 Autumn Term consists of teaching days spread over 15 teaching weeks, compared with the Summer Term, which is spread over 10 teaching weeks.

Can my child use the pass at weekends?

Yes. All Weston College student passes are valid seven days a week across the West of England, not just for travel to and from College.

Are bus passes more expensive this year?

Under the previous arrangements, the College subsidy was not based on travel distance in the same way. Under the new model, higher levels of subsidy are directed towards learners travelling further to College.

Based on last year's prices and with only a seven-day pass now available, the cost of three term passes would have been £525 (3 × £175) for the academic year. College bus passes now for each band are shown below.

You will see that learners in Bands C and D receive considerably more affordable transport to and from College. Band B learners have experienced a slight rise in the cost of the pass for the academic year.

Whilst Band A represents a notable increase, learners within a 1.5-mile radius informed us that their main mode of transport is walking. This also supports our commitment to encouraging greener modes of transport where possible.

How is the Band for my postcode determined?

The College uses a straight-line radius model, for a singular journey, based on a central point between the College’s three main campuses. This creates a tiered system, with learners living further from the College receiving a greater discount on the cost of a termly bus pass. This means that all learners whose postcode has a straight line radius of more than 1.5 miles, will receive a minimum of 25% discount.

The tier a learner falls into is determined using the area, district and sector elements of their postcode. For example, BS23 1 falls within Band A, BS22 8 falls within Band B, and TA8 9 falls within Band C. 

Importantly, the model is based on straight-line distance and does not take into account the mileage of a journey by road. This means the distance is measured directly from the central point, rather than based on the route a learner would travel by car or bus.

Have you got any future plans to make transport even more affordable?

Yes. We are currently working on this and hope to communicate further improvements in the near future. As we did last year, we will continue to engage learners as a key stakeholder as we review our transport arrangements and work with transport partners.

You can purchase your bus pass, by clicking here.