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LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

Young boy planning sports tactics

Weston College is proud to announce an exciting collaboration with Premier Education, the UK’s No.1 provider of sport and physical activity to primary schools. Representatives from Premier Education visited Weston College to engage with Level 2 and Level 3 Sports learners, offering valuable insights into potential apprenticeships within the sector and outlining clear progression paths beyond their current courses. The visit from Premier Education aimed to inspire and inform our Sports students about the diverse possibilities within the education sector and the potential for rewarding careers.

Weston College has been fostering a close working relationship with Premier Education, which so far has led to three apprentices from the College joining Premier Education. The success of these apprenticeships has fuelled the ambition to further develop this partnership, allowing learners to embark on their journey with Premier Education apprenticeship starting from Level 2 and progressing up to Level 4.

"We are excited about the prospects that our collaboration with Premier Education brings to our learners," said Dan Lomax, Curriculum Coordinator in Sports, and Health at Weston College. "The opportunity for paid work and clear progression paths from Level 2 to Level 4 exemplifies our commitment to providing students with tangible and rewarding career pathways."

Following the engaging sessions with Premier Education representatives, eight enthusiastic learners from Weston College expressed their interest by signing up for the interview process.

Weston College looks forward to further strengthening its partnership with Premier Education, providing students with not just academic knowledge but also real-world experiences that pave the way for successful and fulfilling careers.

This guest lecture from Premier Education forms part of the Sports and Fitness Careers Excellence Hub. At Weston College, our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job markets. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches.

For further information about Weston College courses, please click here.

Learners standing and discussing a task

Construction company, Hydrock, visited South West Skills Campus last week to engage with learners studying on the T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction.

The day was packed with activities, which gave learners the opportunity to test their skills with activities like planning a new sustainable town, as well as gain top tips for their future endeavours with CV reviews and mock interviews.

Learners also heard from former T Level learner, and current Hydrock employee, Ben, who inspired the learners with his story – having been sat in that very room just 12 months ago.

Ben spoke about his T Level placement with Hydrock, working 315 hours and managing to gain employment on the back of his course, with a Degree Apprenticeship through University Centre Weston.

Engaging with employers forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College said: “We were delighted to welcome Hydrock last week, and it was great to see Ben as well.

“Our learners found the whole day really beneficial, and left feeling inspired – which is what the Career Excellence Hub in Construction is all about!”

You can find out about our construction courses, by clicking here.

Fire Officer Rich delivering guest lecture

Level 3 Uniformed Public Services students were given a powerful guest lecture from fire officer Rich Welch. Rich was previously an officer in London, who has now transferred to Avon Fire and Rescue.  

While working for London Fire Brigade, Rich attended the Grenfell Tower incident. A part of the lecture was him discussing his experience at this tragedy and how he had worked as part of a large team to combat the fire.  

The level 3 Uniformed Public Services learners are currently covering teamwork and leadership in their classes, making this a perfect session for this area of the course. The guest lecture also tied into the students learning about responding to emergency incidents and the right behaviours to show at an emergency site.  

Lecturer Darren French said: “This was a good session, with plenty of learner engagement and an inspirational story from Rich. A very well received session!”  

This guest speaker forms part of the Public Services Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields. 

A big thanks to Rich for coming in and sharing his inspirational story with us. 

To find out more about our Public Services courses click here.

Winners from the Weston College Business Awards gathered together on the steps holding their award

The highly anticipated Weston College Business Awards is back, with the Oscars-style event taking place at the Winter Gardens on 13th June 2024.

The event is the annual celebration of the exceptional accomplishments of our learners in work based situations, including apprentices, trainees, and those completing enriching industry placements, alongside the invaluable support of employers.

In a nod to the partnerships forged, this year, we have revamped our award categories to shine a spotlight on the seamless synergy between learners and employers within the same organisation.

This means that for each award, the winning learner and their employer, pick up an award – recognising both parties for their outstanding contributions.

Our new award categories are:

  1. Business, Finance & Professional Services Partnership Award
  2. Construction Partnership Award
  3. Digital Partnership Award
  4. The Luke Wheaton Engineering and Automotive Partnership Award
  5. Education Partnership Award
  6. Health, Sport & Community Partnership Award
  7. Service Sectors Partnership Award

We are also celebrating our partnerships with organisations that are supporting us with learners on the sustainability agenda, with our Sustainability Partner of the Year Award.

Nominations are only open for a couple of weeks, closing on February 9th.

You can nominate if you are:

  • A Weston College learner (apprentice, trainee, industry placement learner, etc)
  • The manager/employer of the apprentice
  • A Weston College member of staff
  • A business that goes the extra mile in providing opportunities for our learners.

All entries will then be looked at by our judges and shortlisted on their merits. Judges will be looking for learners who display professional and personal progression, so remember to include evidence of this in the application.

Shortlisted learners will be invited to the ceremony and will receive two complimentary tickets to bring family or friends. Apprentices will also be accompanied by their assessor and an invite will be sent to their manager/employer.

Click here to vote.

Tug of war

Weston College students and staff turned out in force to support the annual ‘Santa Express Run’ last year! 

Organised by our very own lecturer Nicola Stent, the run takes place on Burnham beach in aid of charities. This year, funds were being raised for Young lives Vs Cancer, Love Musgrove and someone from Burnham who needs to raise money for a bionic arm. 

Tug of War

The event raised an incredibly impressive grand total of £3,924.75! £600 of this figure was raised by Weston College learners, meaning a huge congratulations is in order for them for their generosity and dedication. The students helped to organise runners, play music and assist with refreshments.  

Learners looking at the camera

Lecturer & run organiser Nicola Stent said: “we are so proud of our Weston college learners who chose to come along to volunteer, run and promote the event. The attitudes of the learners were outstanding! It was so inspiring to witness the teamwork, comradery and collaboration between different courses and Level 2 and 3 of Public Services.” 

This event was a huge effort to set up and organise so a big congratulations and thank you must go to Nicola for organising it!  

To find out more about our public services courses, click here.

Group of nursing students

University Centre Weston (UCW) is thrilled to announce its success in securing £272,000 from the Office for Students' (OfS) £40 million degree apprenticeship fund launched in September 2023. As part of the wave 1 funding, UCW stands among the fifty-one colleges and universities that have been awarded a share of a £12 million funding pot to expand degree apprenticeships. 

Today the OfS has unveiled the names of ten colleges and 41 universities that demonstrated the capability to deliver projects aimed at increasing starts and enhancing the diversity of their degree apprentice recruits. The allocated funding is expected to be utilised by the end of July 2024. 

UCW will allocate its funding towards expanding four of its degree apprenticeships, addressing critical skills needs in the workforce. The supported apprenticeships include Digital User Experience Professional, Project Manager, Registered Nurse, and Digital and Technology Solutions Professional. 

John Blake, Director for Fair Access, and Participation at the OfS, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We set universities and colleges a challenge to deliver an extensive range of degree apprenticeships that students from all backgrounds could access. They responded with a wide range of innovative and ambitious bids." 

The OfS launched the fund to increase the number of providers delivering degree apprenticeships, expanding overall numbers, and improving diversity within the higher education sector. The fund specifically aims to support projects targeting students least likely to access higher education. 

This development aligns with evidence from organisations such as the Sutton Trust, which found that degree apprenticeships were more socially exclusive than traditional university courses. Skills Minister Robert Halfon expressed his delight, stating, "I am delighted that the institutions awarded a portion of this £40 million will not only be expanding the number of degree apprenticeships offered but have also demonstrated their commitment to boosting access and participation and prioritising equality of opportunity." 

UCW remains committed to contributing to the growth of capacity and capability within the Higher Education sector, addressing present and future skills needs through its innovative degree apprenticeship programs. 

Football hitting the back of the net

Former Weston College student Beth Cottle has been named Somerset County FA Young Volunteer of the Year! This remarkable achievement recognizes Beth's outstanding contribution to coaching young talents within the community. 

Beth is a volunteer at the Uphill Juniors, an under 14s Football Club in Weston formed in 2021. To win this exciting award, she used skills and experience gained from her course in Sports Coaching and Performance at Weston College. Beth has been coaching the budding talents of Uphill Juniors with unwavering enthusiasm. The award not only acknowledges her technical expertise in the sport but also highlights her exceptional ability to inspire young people. 

Beth's journey from a Weston College student to a distinguished youth coach exemplifies the transformative power of passion and dedication. As she continues to make a lasting impact on the next generation of athletes, Beth stands as an inspiring figure, motivating others to follow their dreams and contribute to the community through the love of sports. 

Congratulations Beth, we here at Weston College wish you all the best! 

To find out more about sport courses at Weston College, click here. To find out more about sports coaching courses click here.

Twisted Web delivering a guest lecture at Weston College, man stood at front of class

Twisted Web, a leading website design agency, recently collaborated with our digital course learners as part of the Digital Career Excellence Hub at the College. This innovative partnership provided a unique opportunity for students to engage in real-world projects tailored by Twisted Web, drawing inspiration from the agency's recent accomplishments. Through collaborative group work, learners tackled live project briefs that enhanced their skills.

Learners worked in groups to complete live project briefs, which were created by Twisted Web, and based on projects that they had completed recently.

Alan Burnell, Adult Curriculum Coordinator for Computing and Digital Technologies at Weston College, said: “It was great to welcome Twisted Web to the college, to work closely with our computing and digital learners.

"Working with Twisted Web is a game-changer for our students. They tackled real-world tasks brilliantly, growing in knowledge, skills, and confidence. This collaboration between education and industry is really important at Weston College, and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

Ross Gudge from Twisted Web, added: “It’s been our pleasure to work with the Weston College computing faculty and being able to engage with the students on their various courses.

“The response from all learners was really positive, and we were impressed with their work as well as their attitude, and ability to take on board constructive feedback and identify opportunities to improve - it is a good sign for the future.

“We saw real talent across each of the different groups that we worked with, and we are confident that they will have successful careers after they have completed their course.”

The College is committed to fostering connections between industry and education, and proudly hosts fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs. This initiative underscores our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By seamlessly integrating practical experiences into the academic journey, we empower learners to acquire essential skills, knowledge, and professional networks, positioning them for success in their chosen fields.

A big thank you to Twisted Web for supporting our learners!

If you would like to find out more about our Digital courses, please click here.

Team of football players stacking hands

Weston College has teamed up with Weston-super-Mare AFC to continue providing players aged under sixteen to under nineteen with a joint Academic and Football Pathway within North Somerset and the South West. 

Weston College will monitor and support players through their Academic Pathway to ensure they have the skills and qualifications necessary, providing a solid foundation for any player within this programme. 

Head of Sport and Health, Heidi Oliver said: “The partnership with Weston AFC is really exciting! As partners, we're aligned on key values around valuing people and the communities they're a part of.  

“By collaborating with such a key club in the local community we're able to add real authenticity to our football pathway; learners are inspired through involvement with the club and the impact of being directly engaged in community action is huge. This partnership is a wonderful addition to our network and our overall aim of Creating Brighter Futures for our learners.”  

Weston College and University Centre Weston, are hosting a Trial Day for all players aged U16s to U18s in partnership with Weston-super-Mare AFC. 

This offers players the opportunity to join a Semi-Professional environment, in the National League South, combined with a fantastic Academic Foundation to build on their journey for a future role in sport.  

The programme is led by Weston-super-Mare AFC’s Head of Senior Phase and Head of Coaching, Mark McKeever. 

The Club's philosophy is to develop players within their academy and nurture them into 1st Team regulars, whilst providing them with a first-rate education. 

A Weston-super-Mare AFC spokesperson said: "Players are closely monitored and supported during the season to ensure they are developing and improving along our Footballing Pathway, with Mark taking a prominent, hands-on role in this." 

The club added: "We have representation in the AoC South West League, National League U19s Alliance, ESFA U18s Elite Schools', Colleges' Cup and ECFA U19s Cup. Entering these competitions allows our players exposure to some of the best teams in the country to help enhance their development." 

Engaging with employers forms part of the Sport Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

The Trial Day will be held on Tuesday, February 13 at The Optima Stadium between 9:30am -and 2pm. 

All players should register their attendance here.

To find out more about our sport courses click here.

Marketing and Communications

The marketing department is responsible for promoting Weston College to the public, by promoting the Colleges courses, achievements and events.

Our aims are to attract learners to study within the Weston College Group, build and grow the College’s brand and highlight its reputation, and promote the College Group’s success, student progression and outstanding support for our learners.

The marketing department manages the College’s websites and official social media accounts, runs advertising campaigns, creates press releases, and manages many of the College Group’s events, such as Graduation, the Celebration of Success and the Business Awards.

We produce a wide range of publications including our full-time, Higher Education and part-time prospectuses, course leaflets and posters, and other documents such as the College’s annual report, magazines and newsletters, course brochures and the student handbook.

Weston College is committed to providing accurate and timely information for local, regional and national media, and the general public.

The marketing team is available between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays. You can get in touch with us by emailing marketing@weston.ac.uk.

All of our press releases are uploaded to the news section of our websites. News from the academies we sponsor, including the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College, can be found on the news section of the Inspirational Futures Trust’s website. News pertaining to our Higher Education Provision can be found on www.ucw.ac.uk.

The marketing department produces most imagery and film in house, and keeps an extensive archive of the photographs it takes. If you would like a copy of an image featuring you or a member of your family, please contact us at photography@weston.ac.uk.

Our photos of graduation and many other events can be found on the College’s Facebook page. High quality images can be found on the College’s Flickr account.

Weston College is able to accommodate many requests to provide locations for film and photography. The College has a range of attractive, modern and adaptable facilities which can be viewed on our youtube channel.

We also are able to provide heritage facilities such as the Victorian Hans Price designed Conference Centre and, from September 2017, the 1927 Winter Gardens Pavilion.

For booking details, contact marketing@weston.ac.uk.

For enquiries about sponsoring key events such as Celebration of Success, Business Breakfast, Business Awards and Graduation, please contact the marketing team by email at marketing@weston.ac.uk.

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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.