WESTON College has started work on a £1 million development  that will provide state-of-the- art facilities for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The two-part scheme at Knightstone Campus, to finish in September, includes a dedicated workshop for a range of courses including motor vehicles, painting, decorating, carpentry and bicycle maintenance. 

The second phase will create a dedicated sensory learning base for students with profound and complex learning disabilities (PCLD) and includes specialist classrooms, independent kitchen-dining area and sensory room – the first of its kind in the region.

LInda Burlison, Assistant Principal (Systems and Resources) said: “This is the first time we have been able to totally adapt facilities for PCLD students and it’s wonderful they can now come here rather than have to go out of district.”

Strategic Lead Inclusive Practice, Ben McConkey, added: “The development demonstrates the College’s commitment to partnership working with the local authority, schools and special schools.

“The key element is about involving learners and their circles of support at all stages in planning, managing and shaping their provision from their first point of contact with us.

“We are committed to enhancing our outstanding provision through supporting outcomes that are appropriate for each individual learner.”                                                                                        

Student Matthew Barrett, 18, of Worle, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Matthew will be joining the Preparation for Work and Life programme at the new centre and said: “I was hooked from my taster days at the College. I have already learnt so much here, I love the College.”

His dad, Garry added: “I’d heard of the College’s great reputation and excellent facilities. Without this specialist facility Matthew would have to go to residential college when he wanted to live at home and study locally.”

In 1981 there were just eight enrolments who required additional learning support - now there are 980 Further Education students and 57 Higher Education students receiving various levels of learning support at the College.

All students with additional needs have access to individualised support programmes from a number of specialist support teams including students on the Autism Spectrum, students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and students with: Specific Learning Difficulties; ADHD/ADD; Visual Impairments and Complex Learning Disabilities.

Weston College also has a unique facility for people with autism – a 10-bedroom hotel – which is the first of its kind in the UK.

Weston Bay Hotel specialises in support for learners on the Autism Spectrum helping them to access and progress to higher education, independent living and employment.

The resource teaches students to understand and manage their learning difficulties as well as promoting independent living and improved career opportunities.

Weston College is the only centre in the UK which offers their support staff a career structure involving specialism to graduate level.

In 2014 OFSTED graded Weston College ‘Outstanding’.

In addition the Special Education Needs and Review Team stated: ‘The College Support for learning is outstanding; support workers are highly experienced and often very well qualified, with specific areas of expertise such as behaviour management or visual impairment. Links to specialist provision and support agencies are very strong.’

TWO performing arts students from Weston College have been commissioned by a theatre in Taunton to perform their solo shows.

Charlie French and Katrina Titcombe, who are both on the College’s BA (Hons) Performing Arts course, will be performing at The Brewhouse, in Coal Orchard, on Saturday 4th June.

Charlie’s show, Scratch, is a piece exploring who we really are through the words of others. It asks whether words convey identity or just paraphrase the thoughts people hear from those around them.

He said: “'I'm thrilled to have my work commissioned by the Brewhouse Theatre.

“Not only is it fantastic experience for an aspiring actor to see what it's really like to work within the industry, it is also a great encouragement.

“It is because of my training at the Wessex Academy of Performing Arts that I feel I have grown in overall confidence since starting the course and have ultimately matured as a performer, both in terms of my knowledge of performance and the skills that I have learned.”

Katrina’s show, You Are Invited, revolves around a few items of clothing which combine to perform a wedding in 40 minutes.

She said: “I am really excited for my first commissioned show. I think it will be a really good experience and a start to the outside world of performing.

“I think it will be a really good experience and a start to the outside world of performing!

The course has helped me develop my confidence within performing. It's made me explore more of what theatre really is and different ways it can be explored.”

The College’s Higher Education Section Leader in Performing Arts, Ged Stephenson, said: “Performing arts students held a festival of contemporary performance in which each student performed their own 40-minute solo piece.

“The Brewhouse was impressed with the festival and chose two of the performances to be put on at their venue as a double-header.”

The performance will begin at 7.30pm and tickets, priced £5, are available via www.thebrewhouse.net or 01823 283 244.

This week is New Year New You week, and our team is on hand at all campuses to give free help and guidance towards your health and wellbeing goals for the new year. Click here to find out about the fun and free sessions we're holding, and read on to discover our top tips for a healthy mind...

Eat healthily

The things you consume have a big effect on your mental happiness. Eating a balanced diet will keep your energy levels up throughout the day and make you feel a lot healthier.

Watch what you drink

Drinking water and cutting back on alcohol and caffeine can also improve your mental health, as well as stopping smoking. Drinking water helps your body flush out toxins and is key to healthy skin, preventing spots, making your eyes look brighter and makes you more alert.

Be more active

Exercising every day has both physical and mental benefits. Exercise makes your body release endorphins which can greatly improve your mood. Walking or cycling (instead of driving), dancing, and even doing housework are all easy ways to get the blood pumping. Combine this with eating healthy and you’ll start to look and feel better.

Get a good night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is also essential to relaxing your brain. Get into a good sleep routine and try not to watch television or browse the internet before sleeping - this could disrupt your body's natural sleep process through intrusive blue light.

Talk to others

Feeling connected with other people is an important part of what makes us human and neglecting this part of life can have detrimental effects on your mental health. Many mental health problems can be helped or even prevented by keeping in touch with others and maintaining strong relationships. If you are having difficulties then some of the best help can be given by friends or family, so talk to them about how you feel as well as listening to their thoughts and emotions.

Do something new

This one’s easy – all you have to do is something you’ve never done before, even something as simple as visiting a new place, starting a new hobby or reading a book by an author you’ve never heard of. New experiences challenge your brain to process and store new information and keep it active.

Remember that help is available

It might seem easy to start these changes, but sticking to them is going to challenge you. Our health care assistants are on hand to help you achieve your healthy living goals.