Offender learning contract
Weston College delivers the education to thousands of offenders in 11 prisons after successfully bidding for the Government's Offender Learning contract for the region.
The focus of the bid, worth £10 million per year, was based around 'transformational learning' and raising aspirations – ensuring that an education package is provided that meets the needs of prisoners when they complete their sentence.
Read more about offender learning at Weston College.
National Skills Academy
Weston College is an accredited ‘hub’ of the National Skills Academy for the environmental technologies sector.
This prestigious status means the College plays a major role in transforming the ability for businesses to access key training skills in the design, installation and maintenance of environmental technologies.
Read more about Weston College's National Skills Academy status.
Mixed Economy Group
Weston College is a member of the Mixed Economy Group of colleges, which represents further education colleges with a significant, strategic and developmental role in the provision of higher education.
Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education
Presented to the College at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace, the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education recognises the outstanding efforts of the College - particularly in the field of special educational needs and disabilities.
College of the Year
Presented at the Times Educational Supplement Further Education Awards, 2015.
Overall Further Education Provider of the Year
Presented at the Times Educational Supplement Further Education Awards, 2015.
Beacon Awards
Weston College has Association of Colleges Beacon Awards in the following areas: Widening Participation in Education; Learning Difficulties and Disabilities; Careers Education and Guidance; Staff Development; Inclusive Practice; and the Effective Integration of Libraries/Learning Resources Centres in Curriculum Delivery.
Sword of Honour
Weston College is one of just 79 organisations and the only Further Education college to have been awarded the Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council.
This five-star award was presented to the College for the very high standards of health and safety implemented at the Knightstone Campus after an intense five day inspection.
National Training Award
Weston College won the South West category at the National Training Awards.
The award recognises the Business Enterprise Centre’s outstanding partnership work, delivering professional driver training with their partner, Somax Ltd.
Weston was the only college in the South West to reach the regional finals.
Investors in People - Gold
Weston College holds the highest accolade awarded by Investors in People - the UK's leading people-management standard.
The ‘Gold’ award was achieved after a week-long assessment, which involved interviews with over 40 members of staff, from all levels in the organisation.
Inspectors described the leadership of the College as “inspired” coupled with “a significant culture of continuous learning”.
Weston is the first Further Education college in the South West to gain this prestigious award.
Investors in People - Champion
By achieving Investors in People Champion accreditation, Weston College is part of a prestigious group of role model organisations, drawn from the private, public and third sector and ranging in size from less than ten to thousands of employees.
It’s the role of Investors in People Champions to mentor and inspire organisations who would like to benefit from their first-hand knowledge of Investors in People.
Matrix Accreditation
By gaining the Matrix standard, Weston College has achieved a specified benchmark in for the information, advice and guidance it provides in terms of learning and work. It is awarded by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
Somerset Heritage and English Heritage Awards
The College's redevelopment of the derelict Hans Price designed School of Science and Art won the Somerset Heritage Award and was nominated for an English Heritage Angel Award in 2013.
Building Excellence Awards
In 2015, the College's South West Skills Campus was a finalist for two Building Excellence Awards in the Change of Use and Best Educational Building categories.
Marketing Excellence Awards - Education
Weston College has been shortlisted in the Education category of the prestigious national Marketing Excellence Awards, hosted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. The College was shortlisted for its successful campaign to promote the pre-employment programmes, ASPIRE and Ngage.
Best Business Award - Communication
Weston College won the 'Best Communication' category in the Best Business Awards for its marketing of the ASPIRE and Ngage pre-employment courses. Judges said: "With a budget of only £10,000, Weston College has done a terrific job at promoting its two new courses for the unemployed. The campaign used a combination of traditional advertising with new media plus a few innovations such as advertising on petrol caps at petrol stations and running a promotion at a pop-up shop."
Positive about Disabled People
Weston College is an accredited Positive about Disabled People employer.
The ‘two ticks’ symbol is awarded by the Jobcentre Plus to recognise employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people.
Apple-Authorised Training Centre
Weston College is an official Apple Authorised Training Centre in education (AATCe), enabling us to deliver Apple-authorised qualifications as part of the full-time curriculum offer and evening classes. Our selection was based on a number of criteria, including curriculum quality and recognition, facilities, equipment, staff expertise and infrastructure.
Microsoft IT Academy
As an accredited Microsoft IT Academy, Weston College offers certified and bespoke training courses covering a wide range of software packages including the entire Microsoft Office suite.
