Weston College was celebrating today (Wednesday May 22) as the Government announced that its partnership bid for a new 14-19 education establishment has been successful. 

The North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) was given the green light by the Department for Education (DfE). It is one of more than 100 successful new free school applications announced today (Weds). 

The application process was extremely competitive and the NSETC was in the top 10 of applications. 
The good news comes after months of planning. The bid was led by Weston College with a significant range of partners including the NHS, Clarks, University of West of England and North Somerset Council. 

The Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, Dr Paul Phillips said: “This heralds a real change in teaching and learning for the whole of North Somerset. The new institution will deliver to 14 to 19 year olds, with phase one starting in 2014 for 16-19 year olds. Our focus will be on superb teaching and learning complemented by state-of-the-art resources with a commercial and industrial focus. 

“The Enterprise and Technology College represents a new model of learning for North Somerset and I'm sure that prospective parents will be as pleased as we are to know that this initiative, which will be ground-breaking in terms of curriculum and concept, has been whole-heartedly supported by the Government.” 

The 700-pupil college will have a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) combined with a strong business ethos. Young people will wear business attire and will be expected to attend from 9am-5pm rather than traditional school hours in order to start to prepare them for the world of work. Its ethos is that young people need more than just excellent academic qualifications to succeed in the 21st century; they also need the transferable employability skills and breadth of experience that will make them highly attractive to future employers and universities.

The partners for this project are committed to providing:

• Advice, information and design of the curriculum
• Industry and academic expertise
• Mentoring opportunities for the students
• Access to specialist technical facilities
• Staff development opportunities
• Degree modules for the gifted and talented students
• Opportunity for quality work experience.

On progression from the NSETC, students will be confident, enthusiastic, highly skilled and qualified to enter higher education, further specialist training, apprenticeships, or to move effectively into the workforce.

Already applications are being received from young people across North Somerset. There is clearly going to be a massive demand for places at this new and vibrant institution and we will be organising a parent and student forum in June, further details to follow. Considerable interest has already been received from the NHS in terms of the NSETC being able to provide a future workforce with appropriate skills and training.

The Enterprise College will be based in bespoke premises at a site in the new Enterprise Zone in Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset. The new buildings will open in totality by August 2015 although the first students will be able to start from September 2014. Work will now commence to recruit the Principal and staff teams for this new model of learning.

Announcing the new schools, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “There are many innovators in local communities set on raising standards of education for their children. I am delighted to approve so many of their high-quality plans to open a free school. “Free schools are extremely popular with parents and are delivering strong discipline and teaching excellence across the country.”

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Weston College has launched a new three-year law programme for apprentices and top regional legal firm Foot Anstey has already taken on six.

The Business Administration Level 2 with Legal Pathway Apprenticeship can progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services with careers leading to a variety of legal careers.

Weston College Business Administration Coordinator Liz Painter said: “We set up this Apprenticeship in response to requests from legal firms.

“The traditional approach to a legal career via A Levels and university is being challenged by apprentices wanting to earn while they learn.”

The Government recently announced funding for three million new Apprenticeships, and the number of UK apprentices has soared by 73 per cent from 491,300 in 2009 to 851,500 (in 2014?).

Ninety per cent of Weston College apprentices were offered permanent jobs – a 46 per cent increase in filled jobs compared to last year.

The College currently supports 1,200 apprentices and works with 1,400 employers and is the biggest facilitator of Apprenticeship programmes in the region.

With five offices across the South West Foot Anstey is among the UK’s leading law firms with 50 partners and 500 staff and advises regional, national and international clients.

Susie Halliday, Head of Learning and Development at Foot Anstey: “We are delighted to be at the heart of this exciting new initiative which gives young people the opportunity to grow and have long-term careers with our business.  For Foot Anstey it is a great opportunity to develop valuable lawyers of the future.”

The College’s new Training Solutions, based at the South West Skills Campus, Locking Road provides businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.

The College offers a wide programme of Apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over looking for a new career via training or alternative to A-Levels.

Its Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and learners progress while continuing to work alongside experienced and skilled staff.

The 50-strong team of work-based learning Assessors work with more than 1400 organisations in the South West.

The College was the first in the South West to launch the Higher Apprenticeship Scheme enabling employees to gain university-level qualifications in accountancy, care and business.

While apprentices receive workplace training they enjoy College benefits including bus passes, gym sessions, discounted driving lessons, hair and beauty treatments.

Weston College students had a chance to meet Michael Gove, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, and local MP John Penrose, last week at an event hosted by Weston-super-Mare Conservative Association.

The students, who are currently studying A Level Government and Politics at Weston College’s Sixth Form Centre, were invited to the Royal Hotel for a three course meal followed by a speech from Mr Gove, who last week was voted out of the Conservative Party leadership election.

Kori, 17, said: “I found the evening thoroughly interesting. It’s cool to see politicians in the flesh because it shows us that the things we learnt in class are more than just theory or history.

“Meeting the politicians brings the concept of politics back to reality.”

Mardi McLay, Lecturer in Government and Politics at Weston College, said: “This was a unique experience providing the students with an opportunity to see first-hand, politics in action.”

Eve Mason, Weston College’s Curriculum Lead in Humanities, Legal and Social Studies, said: “Mr Gove was an interesting and entertaining speaker, who spoke on a range of contemporary matters.

“The students gained a valuable insight into the political process, talking at length to one of Mr Gove’s advisors to find out how he got into politics and what it’s like working for an MP.”

During his speech, Mr Gove paid special tribute to the students, saying: “It’s good to see the amazing young people from Weston College here this evening.

“Everyone in the town should feel proud of the College, and it deserves congratulations for everything it has achieved.”

Mr Gove has previously commended the College for its work in the offender learning sector, where it delivers education in nine prisons across the South West of England.