Further education (FE) colleges are an essential cog in the education ‘machine’ in England.

As Principal of Weston College, you might say I’m biased.

But I’d argue that’s given me extensive, first-hand experience of how colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds make the most of their talents and ambitions.

You don’t need to look very far to see the impact Weston College is having on people across the region; from our successful traineeship programme to the thriving sixth form. We mustn’t forget the impact of apprenticeships, and pre-employment – who both support learners of varying ages and truly change lives.

And these are only the direct benefits. If you consider the role colleges play and the influence they have in the wider communities, it’s clear they are driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economies.

This week we welcomed Visit Somerset CEO John Turner to deliver a talk to stakeholders, and he shared how our students are making change happen and to quote John: “we have seen a direct impact on our economy through partnering with Weston College.”

What a fantastic reference, and how amazing are these learners performing to have such an impact! To put it bluntly, colleges matter – to their students, staff and local communities.

However, it’s no exaggeration to say their futures are in jeopardy due to the extensive and continued funding cuts affecting the sector.

For too long the vital work of colleges has been overlooked and underfunded.

The total college income in England has fallen by £1 billion since the start of the decade, which represents a funding cut of around 30%.

This drop in funding has led to:

• Fewer hours of teaching and support for young people
• Course closures
• A reduction in the number of learning opportunities for adults
• The value of staff pay falling by over 25% since 2009
• Job losses and recruitment problems
• College teachers earning £7,000 less on average than school teachers.

The situation is completely unsustainable and we need action now.

Fortunately that action is materialising in the form of the ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign, which is uniting the sector in pursuit of one overarching goal – appropriate funding of further education.

This includes:

• Increasing the 16-19 funding rate by 5% a year for the next five years, and extending the pupil premium to cover post-16 students
• Fully funding a National Retraining Scheme to support Level 3 to 5 skills
• Introducing a lifetime learning entitlement to fund skills training for all adults who have not previously achieved a level 3 qualification.

As well as making the case for extra government funding and fair pay in FE, ‘Love our Colleges’ is also highlighting the great work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible.

Throughout the week we have shared stories for our learners and staff across social media and it makes me proud to read these daily quotes – we really are creating brighter futures.

If you are yet to see these quotes, I would suggest taking a look and see why we advocate fairer funding and love our college.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE,

Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College

A new and bespoke residential training facility for people on the autism spectrum has now been opened by Weston College, the first of its kind in the UK. 

The centre has been created out of the former Bay View Hotel along Weston-super-Mare's seafront, at a cost of approximately £1.5 million, and is now called Weston Bay. The aim of the facility is to provide training in Life and Social Skills and independent living skills for those on the autism spectrum. 

The centre is seen as a welcome development for parents of young people who want them to be educated in North Somerset and not at a specialist 'out of county' college. 

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Weston Bay has eight bedrooms and four flats, allowing residents to get used to living away from home, manage tasks including cooking and developing their social skills. Length of stay ranges from one night to three months, depending on individual requirements, and all residents are students on Weston College courses. 

Some of these students are hoping to go on to university, but aren't confident about their ability to deal with the Social and Life skills required for living away from home. Weston Bay's individually-tailored programmes allow each student to develop their independence according to their particular needs. 

The centre itself has been refurbished to a standard suitable for people on the autism spectrum, including subdued lighting, analogue and digital clocks on the walls and minimalist decoration which promotes a low arousal environment. 

Two main rooms downstairs are multi-functional for both leisure and learning use, and each student has their own bedroom. There is an IT suite for evening study, four kitchens and a laundry and a programme of activities throughout the week. 

Weston College has an excellent reputation for its work with students with LDD. It has just received a prestigious Beacon Award for its work in the field and it is the only centre in the UK which offers their support staff a career structure which involves specialism to graduate level. In 2010 OFSTED's Special Education Needs and Review Team stated Weston College has an ‘exceptionally well qualified team’.

The College began its provision for students with learning difficulties or disabilities in 1981, with just eight enrolments.

Now there are 980 Further Education students and 57 Higher Education students receiving various levels of learning support at the College. Provision for students with learning difficulties or disabilities is classed as 'Outstanding'.

College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips said: “Weston College is seen as a centre of excellence for LDD provision and we pride ourselves on our professional approach. This new provision will enhance our reputation in this field enormously, and will offer a ground-breaking model of support that other colleges will surely follow.”

Rachael Bastin (Co-ordinator) said: “Weston Bay presents a challenging new venture; totally innovative in its approach to working with individuals on the autism spectrum, in a general College of Further Education. As a staff team we are excited and motivated by the results we are seeing on a daily basis. Students and their parents are keen to work in partnership with us to make a success of this provision which is aspirational for autism”.

Earlier this year the Ambitious About Autism charity highlighted a lack of accessibility to Higher Education among autistic adults. Only one in four school leavers with autism go on to further education, and 15 per cent of adults with autism have a job.

The charity's chief executive, Jolanta Lasota, said: "Less than one in four people with autism currently access further education, which is a waste of their potential and puts a strain on families. Many parents feel they are staring into a black hole when their child approaches school leaving age, because the options for further education are so limited.

“We want to give them the opportunity to be part of their community, to stay close to family and friends and enter meaningful employment."

The charity, which Weston College works closely with, has now launched a campaign - 'Finished At School' – that aims to secure more and better educational options for all young people with autism aged 16 – 25 to enable them to develop skills, gain employment, live more independently and ultimately to live the life they choose.

For more information about the new centre for people on the Autism Spectrum contact 01934 411411.

A new sensory learning base for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD) has been officially opened at Weston College.

The centre is the final part of a £1million investment that provides high quality facilities.

The new base opened its doors to students in September 2014 at the Knightstone Campus in Weston town centre, meaning students with PCLD no longer have to leave the local authority to receive specialist support.

Ben McConkey, the College’s strategic lead in inclusive practice, said: “In the past, students with PCLD may have had to leave the local authority when they finish school to access the specialist education and support they require.”

The Sensory Learning Base provides students with an individualised high quality multi-sensory programme.

Ben McConkey said: “Our programmes will help young people develop the skills to lead a more independent life, access their community and develop and maintain relationships with family and friends through a wide range of sensory experiences and holistic approaches.”

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE described it as a ‘vital’ facility for the area.

He said: “It’s a far cry from when the College first opened its doors to a small group of teenagers with learning difficulties and disabilities back in 1981.

“We now have more than 1,000 learners receiving support on further education and higher education courses across all sites.

“This is a vital new facility for the local authority that will support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community and I look forward to welcoming new learners to the College.”

“The Sensory Learning base will work in collaboration external agencies to ensure every individual receives outstanding support and positive outcomes.”