Weston College has a wide range of courses to suit all learning styles
Weston College is an award-winning college of further and higher education in Weston-super-Mare. It provides education and vocational training to nearly 30,000 learners across the country.
We put the learner first and are entrepreneurial in our approach and innovative in our thinking. As a college, we are ambitious and aspirational and are responsive to the needs of students, staff, businesses, and the community.
Latest News
There is always so much going on across our various campuses and courses. Stay up to date on our latest news.
A former Renault garage has been transformed into a state-of-the art education centre for Weston College Automotive students.
The £1 million refurbishment at the South West Skills Campus (SWSC) on Locking Road includes two large workshops, two computer suites and two hi-tech classrooms.
Applications have doubled for Automotive courses and now lecturers seek more employers to offer Apprenticeships and work experience.
Automotive Lecturer Ian Aldridge said: “Last year we had 60 full time students, this year we have over 120 training with us.
“Many want to be an Apprentice and are in desperate need of an employer to support their training.
“The Government wants to add work-based experience to full time education and we want more employers who need Level 3 students to help them access the working environment.
“Ideally employers would offer a learner an Apprenticeship or a week’s work experience placement, however, we can accommodate single days through our new Programmes of Study.”
Student Marc Bell, 32, of Mead Vale, is a mature Level 3 student.
He said: “I worked in security but with children I wanted a job where I am home at nights. I’ve really enjoyed the course and hope I can find work.”
The year-long courses on offer include Level 1, 2 and 3 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.
The refurbishment is part of ongoing £11 million works at the SWSC which includes the College's Business Enterprise Centre and Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence.
Other developments include plans to create an eco-house at the rear of SWSC, which can show students practical examples of green technology in action.
Weston College Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips OBE added: “This new automotive maintenance centre was built in response to demand for quality courses.
“Once the SWSC is complete we will have created the best engineering and construction environment in the UK.
“Weston College has been voted the best in the West for the second year running in Skills Funding Agency Poll.
“We have exceptional results in A levels, Higher Education and vocational qualifications. With 1,200 apprentices, we are the largest provider in the region from Gloucestershire to Cornwall.
“Despite the economic challenge we continue to invest heavily in buildings to meet the needs of 21st century students, offering them the best resources in the South West.”
This month (April 2024) we opened our newly refurbished library at Loxton Campus, marking a significant enhancement aimed at enriching the learning environment for our students.
The ambitious redesign was driven by feedback gathered from a series of student surveys and numerous discussions involving both students and faculties based at Loxton Campus.
This collaborative effort ensured that the refurbishment was not only about aesthetic upgrades but also about making the library more beneficial to the educational needs and comfort of its learners.
Claire Moore, Head of Learning Centres at Weston College, said: “Understanding what our students and staff wanted from our library was crucial. Feedback was an essential part of this project, allowing us to tailor the space to better suit their academic and personal growth.”
The redesigned space now boasts increased study areas, modernised resources, and technology-equipped zones designed to support both individual and group learning.
Claire added: “Libraries are an important part of the student journey at Weston College, and we are really excited to be providing this new facility for our learners.”
The reopening of the Loxton Campus library is a testament to Weston College's commitment to providing top-tier educational facilities that help students reach their potential.
The feedback from learners has been overwhelmingly positive too, Marvellous who is an A Level student, commented: “It is a really pretty space, and there is a lot of space for group study which is great!” Sirona, an Art and Design student, added: “The area has been improved and suits different study styles. There are great options for studying independently and also as a group.”
This significant investment in campus infrastructure underscores the college’s dedication to creating an environment where learners can succeed and flourish.
You can view some pictures of the new space, below.
This month (April 2024) we opened our newly refurbished library at Loxton Campus, marking a significant enhancement aimed at enriching the learning environment for our students.
The 2016/17 academic year was an exciting and ambitious year for the Weston College Group, which saw record success rates and the creation of sector-leading facilities. These successes were appraised at the College's annual Business Breakfast, which broght together hundreds of businesspeople from across the South West. Here is a summary of what the College did between September 2016 and August 2017...
We’ve received national recognition for our teaching
The Association of Colleges was so impressed with our teaching that they awarded us two out of the 11 Beacon Awards presented this year. Judges recognised our work towards creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment for our students with special educational needs and disabilities and our offender learners.
We’ve invested £25 million in our facilities
The money has gone towards refurbishing classrooms, installing the latest technology, and creating some of the most high-tech learning environments in the country. Most impressively, the successful refurbishment of the Winter Gardens has secured the building’s future as a community asset. We plan to invest a further £20 million in the current academic year to create specialist facilities for health, sport and construction.
Our success rates are at an all-time high
Our 16-18 achievement rates grew by 4% to 86.5%, and 90.7% of our adult learners successfully completed their courses. The overwhelming majority of our apprentices were taken on by their employers at the end of their course. Our 90% student satisfaction rate places us 18th on the FE Choices survey of colleges across the country.
We’ve been working with businesses to create apprenticeships
We work with over 1,400 businesses to deliver apprenticeships, and our new relationships with employers such as the Bristol Port Company, the Ministry of Defence and Rolls Royce means that we are bringing more and more apprenticeship opportunities to young people and adults across the South West.
We’ve put on free courses for the community
2017 saw us announce our first free adult leisure courses to great success. The courses helped hundreds of adults reengage with education, as well as teaching them some useful skills such as car mechanics, cooking, dancing and bricklaying.
For more information, contact the Marketing Department
CAREERS NOT COURSES
We know it’s not about the course you take, but the career you’ll start your journey towards. Your study programme is built from the ground up with your future in mind, focussing on employability and developing the skills you need to have a successful career within your chosen industry, making connections and gaining experiences through local and national employers we work with:
As a Weston College student, you will become part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs.
This means our courses aren't just courses... your study programme is built from the ground up with your future in mind, focussing on employability and developing the skills you need to have a successful career within your chosen industry...
LECTURERS WITH REAL INDUSTRY EXPERIENCES
COURSES ENDORSED BY EMPLOYERS
INDUSTRY STANDARD FACILITIES
INCREDIBLE WORK-BASED OPPORTUNITIES
AMAZING GUEST LECTURES
COURSES ENDORSED BY EMPLOYERS
VIEW OUR PROSPECTUS
"The college organised lots of amazing experiences for us with specialist guest lectures on sepsis, home care, nutrition and bee therapy"
Chloe
Health and Social Care, Level 2 & 3
