Weston College has been named among the first 21 colleges to establish a maths centre of excellence.

The new centres were announced last year in response to Sir Adrian Smith’s review of post-16 maths education, which recommended improving basic maths for people over 16.

The chosen colleges, which will share £40 million of funding over five years, are spread across the country. Weston College is one of only two centres in the South West.

As well as improving the quality of basic maths provision for low-attaining young people over 16, the new centres will design new teaching approaches, develop high-quality resources, build teachers’ skills and spread best practice.

Weston College Principal and CEO, Dr Paul Phillips, said: "This is fantastic news – not just for Weston College and our learners, but also the wider community in North Somerset and beyond.

“Becoming a maths centre of excellence will allow us to revitalize our maths provision, and develop new resources for our learners.

“Being one of only 21 providers awarded the funding is a great honour and reinforces our national reputation for high-quality education.”

Weston College joined forces with the Chefs’ Forum Academy to host an event promoting careers in the hospitality industry to over 200 pupils.

Some of the region’s top chefs demonstrated at the Hospitality Industry Taster Day, which took place at the Winter Gardens, 11.30am-1.30pm on Wednesday 20th March.

This free event – was open to year 8, 9, 10 and 11 pupils, and college students – showcasing the hospitality industry as a career option. Guests were treated to mocktails, canapés and beef burgers.

The day included 20-minute interactive masterclasses showcasing culinary expertise such as butchery, beef cookery, the secrets of herbs and spices, and intricate pastry techniques.

Sandra Bull, Divisional Lead for Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said “We are pleased to have some of the region’s top chefs and butchers involved to show how rewarding and exciting a career in the industry can be. In a sector, which is in, decline it is great to showcase the options open to those leaving school in the next couple of years. This year we also hosted various local businesses – a great opportunity for buddy chefs to see local produce is best!”

The Chefs’ Academy Forum is a network of industry experts that supports the next generation of chefs. As well as showcasing their skills at the taster day, forum experts teach Weston College hospitality students, enriching learning through bespoke cookery masterclasses in the College kitchens.

Jack Cook, of award-winning Devizes butchers Walter Rose & Son, performed a beef butchery masterclass in advance of Great British Beef Week. All pupils who attended the event got a delicious Walter Rose Angus x Hereford Stokes Marsh Farm beef burger, with delicious garnishes produced by College catering students.

Le Manoir-trained chef Amy Nancollis, from Oak and Glass restaurant in Weston, joined chefs Andy Chan and Tom Everard Fairburn, of Thornbury Castle Hotel, for an éclair filling and decorating competition.

Topping the day off will be a spice masterclass from Sam Guarino, of Santa Maria. Sam talked budding young chefs through the tasty world of herbs and spices.

Chefs’ Forum Founder, Catherine Farinha, said: “It was a real honour to be asked to hold this event with Weston College again this year. If a handful of students who attend the event are inspired to study catering and hospitality because of the fantastic industry experts on show, then our work here is done.”

This event is run annually, register your interest via email sandra.bull@weston.ac.uk.

Weston College’s Hair and Beauty Centre has been selected to host the regional stage of the WorldSkills event for the second year running.

Around 80 students from across the South West will visit the College on Tuesday 18th June to put their hair and beauty skills to the test.

WorldSkills is a prestigious international competition designed to create excitement and passion for learning in young people. Competitors take part in regional and national events before progressing to the international finals.

Experts design the industry-specific competitions, which help equip apprentices and students with the skills UK businesses need to compete globally.

Sandra Bull, the College’s Lead for Hair, Beauty, Barbering, Hospitality and Catering, said: “Each year colleges apply to host these prestigious competitions, so it speaks volumes for the quality of our hair and beauty facilities that the regional event is returning here.

“The Hair and Beauty Salons were refurbished recently, which makes it the perfect setting for the competition.

“As well as hosting the event, we’re also proud to have four learners – Ella Aston, Zoe Clark, Chloe Williams and Emily Spence – competing for a place in the national finals. We wish them the best of luck!”

The day will include competitions in hairdressing, beauty therapy, beauty therapy practice, creative media make-up, commercial make up and nail techniques.

The four College competitors have been putting in hours in addition to their College timetable to train for the event. Local employers have also helped them prepare by providing feedback and coaching. They secured their regional places after submitting photographic entries.

Winners of the regional heats are announced in September and the national finals take place in mid-November. The UK finals involve 1,000 young people aged 18–24 competing in 40 skills areas, from mobile robotics and graphic design, to carpentry and catering.