181 Years of Weston College
181 Years of Weston College

Celebrating 181 Years of Weston College!

Following last year's incredible milestone of celebrating 180 years at the heart of our community, we're proud to continue marking 181 years of Weston College.

For more than 181 years, the College has been a place where futures are built, friendships are formed, and memories are made. Explore the timeline below to discover some of the key moments, milestones and achievements that have shaped Weston College into what it is today.

Our History Timeline

1845

The first educational building on Knightstone Campus, the National School, opened on 22nd September, funded by Archdeacon Henry Law.

The National School and Archdeacon Henry Law.

1893

The Hans Price-designed School of Science and Art opened to train technicians and designers. Later refurbished into the College's Conference Centre.

School of Science and Art.

1895

Local artist and suffragist Ivy Millicent James, celebrated for her highly collectable postcards, Christmas cards and calendar designs, studied at the School of Science and Art – a key part of Weston College's heritage in arts education.

Artist and suffragist Ivy Millicent James alongside examples of her artwork.

1896

Graphic artist Alfred Leete, who would later create the iconic Lord Kitchener "Your Country Needs YOU" image, studied at Weston's School of Science – the institution that ultimately became part of Weston College.

Alfred Leete and the famous Lord Kitchener recruitment poster.

1908

Artist Arthur Lucius Falkland Cary, later a Pastel Society member and noted landscape and pastel painter, studied at the School of Art before continuing his training in Bristol and London.

Arthur Lucius Falkland Cary and one of his landscape paintings.

1966

Building began on the new Weston College Knightstone Campus.

Knightstone Campus construction.

1970

Weston Technical College opened on 9th September on the former National School site.

Weston Technical College.

1977

BBC journalist and television presenter Jill Dando completed her Sixth Form studies at Broadoak, the predecessor of today's Weston College Sixth Form. She was later voted the BBC's Personality of the Year in 1997.

BBC journalist and television presenter Jill Dando.

1983

The Weston College Conference Centre (formerly the School of Science and Art) was granted Grade II listed status.

Weston College Conference Centre.

1993

The first Higher Education programme ran at the College (Art & Design Diploma of Higher Education).

Higher Education programme.

1999

The Knightstone Campus extension moved the main entrance to Lower Church Road and added a modern, accessible multi-storey reception.

The College established a partnership with Bath Spa University to enhance its Higher Education programmes.

Knightstone Campus extension.

2007

Loxton Campus opened (originally known as the University Campus), housing A Levels and Creative Arts.

Partnership with UWE Bristol formed to further strengthen the College's Higher Education offer.

Loxton Campus.

2009

College achieves Investors in People Gold and Champion status.

Investors in People Gold and Champion status.

2013

The South West Skills Campus opened, featuring the Lord Baker Innovation Centre, Future Technology Centre and Engineering Centre of Excellence.

South West Skills Campus.

2015

The College acquired and redeveloped the Winter Gardens Pavilion for University Centre Weston, preserving its historic 1920s section for public use.

Winter Gardens Pavilion.

2016

Weston College was granted University Centre status by the Department for Education, leading to the creation of University Centre Weston (UCW).

The College bought and renovated the former Arosfa Hotel, adding teaching space and apprentice accommodation.

University Centre Weston.

2017

Weston College received the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, recognising excellence in education and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

The College also purchased the historic Lauriston Hotel.

Queen's Anniversary Prize.

2018

University Centre Weston received the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating.

TEF Gold.

2019

The Construction Training Centre opened.

The Animal Management Centre at Puxton Park opened.

Led by Weston College, the West of England Institute of Technology was selected as one of the first 12 Institutes of Technology.

Construction Training Centre.

2020

The Health and Active Living Skills Centre opened at the Loxton Campus.

The Bristol Training Institute was established in central Bristol.

Health and Active Living Skills Centre.

2022

Winner of the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards, Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year.

AAC Awards.

2023

Weston College was awarded Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year at the South West Apprenticeship Awards for the fifth consecutive year.

UCW retained its Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating.

South West Apprenticeship Awards.

2024

Weston College ranked #11 in the UK's Top 100 Inclusive Employers.

Top 100 Inclusive Employers.

2025

Weston College won the national STEM Initiative award at the C21 Awards.

Partnership with the University of Worcester formed to further strengthen the College's Higher Education offer.

STEM Initiative Award.

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One Message, Different Voices

Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

Halo workplace logo

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.