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.
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There is always so much going on across our various campuses and courses. Stay up to date on our latest news.
The manager of a coffee shop and café run as a joint venture between Weston College and Leyhill Prison has won a surprise award.
Leyhill Grounds Coffee Shop is based next to the Gloucestershire prison, and is open to the public.
It employs people who are in custody as part of a Weston College social enterprise which has been created to provide opportunities for those in custody.
Kaye Thomas received the special award in recognition of her work with the prison ‘residents’ and the quality service the shop provides.
It was presented by Charles Martell, the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, who visits the shop on his regular visits to Leyhill.
“It was a wonderful surprise,” said Kaye.
“Ray Johnson, the prison governor, called me into a room to, apparently, talk about buying some new blinds for the shop.
“I was then presented with the award by Charles Martell. The High Sheriff of Somerset and the future High Sheriff of Gloucestershire had come as well. There were a few tears in my eyes I don’t mind admitting.”
The award recognises Kaye’s efforts in developing the social, communication and employability skills of the employees, who are all residents of the prison.
“It’s a very rewarding job,” said Kaye.
“As well as barista and catering training, we provide work experience and help residents develop the broader skills they’ll need to secure jobs on release.
“Everyone who works in the shop has to hand in a CV and is interviewed – just like any job.
“It’s great when former employees get back in touch to say how well they’re doing and how we helped them.”
The shop is run in partnership with HMP Leyhill by Releasing New Potential – a Community Interest Company operated by Weston College – which helps people lead crime-free lives.
Gerry Shattock, Releasing New Potential’s Social Enterprise Manager, said: “Leyhill Grounds Coffee Shop is a commercial venture. That means everything has to be up to a very high standard –the quality of food, drink and service – or customers won’t come back.
“This not only provides residents with the practical knowledge they need in order to work in a hospitality environment, but also broader operational skills that can be applied in many other sectors.”
Leyhill Grounds Coffee Shop is clearly proving a big hit with customers. It’s currently the top-ranked coffee and tea shop in the Gloucester area on Trip Advisor, and second in the list of ‘places to eat’.
As well as running Releasing New Potential, Weston College provides education in prisons across the South West of England, including Leyhill. Curricula are designed to engage offenders in learning and help them find employment when they are released. The Weston College team delivers a wide range of courses in the prisons, including catering, English, maths, customer service, art, plastering, carpentry, and bricklaying.
Weston College will launch their new adult course guide at the Festival of Learning on Saturday (15th June). The course guide is packed full of courses to help you add to your CV, change career or gain the qualifications you need to apply for university.
The courses are flexible (class-based, distance or online), allowing you to study around other commitments and get ahead of the competition. If you’re looking for advice, College staff will be on hand to tell you what’s on offer, help you enrol, offer career advice and help with your CV.
You could even learn an exciting new hobby. The 2019/20 adult course guide includes courses on 3D printing, blacksmithing, milling and turning, VR and game creation, computer coding, tackling garden projects, carpentry, car maintenance, 3D drawing, cake decorating and forestry skills … the opportunities are endless!
Pick up your copy at the Festival of Learning on Saturday 15th June at the Winter and Italian Gardens between 11am and 3pm. Find out more about the Festival of Leaning.
Can’t make it to the Festival of Learning?
On Saturday 15th June our website will be updated with all the latest part-time courses. Here, you can find the course that is right for you by searching for keywords or browsing the new categories:
- Change career
- Advance career
- Employers
- Get a degree
- Get into work
- Health & wellbeing
- Online Learning
- New hobby.
At Weston College, we feel it is important for students to meet industry professionals and get a taste for industry life. We invite businesses in, to talk to our learners and inspire the next generation.
One business that visited last year, is Bristol and Cardiff based marketing agency, Cre8ion. We asked their CEO Darrell Irwin, a few questions about his business, and the importance of engaging with tomorrow’s workforce.
Who are Cre8ion and what do you offer?
At Cre8ion we have developed a brand automation product called Genesis Brands. This cutting edge approach to branding is helping start-ups get a head start. Removing the cost of time and talent using a branding agency would entail the user answers questions and the system generates brands, both in a cloud for you to download and useable assets to get your message out there!
Why did you decide to inspire students through a guest lecture?
We believe tomorrow’s generation will help us innovate for the needs of tomorrow. Apple have been doing this for years and businesses that ‘get it’ secure legacy.
You can teach theory but by using this product we could help them build a brand using that theory and have the ability to execute their brand in minutes not days.
We are committed to helping students and entrepreneurs punch above their weight without spending thousands.
Were there any specific highlights you had whilst working with Weston College learners?
That 60 students built 60 great brands in minutes and were amazed that they could bring an idea to life so quickly.
How has your automation system helped develop Weston College learners?
A practical understanding with brand and practical application made for a great workshop with applied knowledge.
Essentially, they students had access to 25 years of knowledge online!
They made design choices quickly while getting a clear idea of what mission, vision and values actually are.
What advice would you give to a business considering running sessions with Weston College learners?
We’d advise other employers to make use of this great opportunity – we got to expose our business to the future generation. My tips would be make sure that students have a clear outcome and gain knowledge that can be applied to their own personal career journey.
You can check out Cre8ion’s Genesis brand here.
If you are interested in delivering a guest lecture, or joining our business network, please fill in the form below.
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...
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COURSES ENDORSED BY EMPLOYERS
INDUSTRY STANDARD FACILITIES
INCREDIBLE WORK-BASED OPPORTUNITIES
AMAZING GUEST LECTURES
COURSES ENDORSED BY EMPLOYERS
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"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
