Recently our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners took part in an exciting exercise hosted by our LibraryPlus team. The class was given an immersive demonstration of the latest virtual reality (VR) technology, opening a gateway to a new dimension of learning. The students, many of whom had never experienced VR before, eagerly donned headsets to explore innovative tools that could one day revolutionise their educational journey. 

Weston College aims to integrate VR into its curriculum, recognising its potential to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. The initiative reflects our commitment to preparing students for the challenges of the modern workforce, where technology plays an increasingly vital role. The students enthusiastically embraced this cutting-edge technology. 

The VR experience was a hit with the ESOL learners. Student Mohammed said: “It was amazing! Very different, and a strange feeling but something very new.” Learner Tony particularly enjoyed the experience saying: “I really enjoyed it; it was super fun!”  

ESOL lecturer John said: “It was an amazing immersive experience. Students were able to explore with focus.” 

Weston College public services students were visited recently by Tony Wilson, a Physical Training Instructor at Bristol Prison for a guest lecture. During the lecture, Tony emphasised the importance of resilience and determination, highlighting the challenges he faced while pursuing his passion for physical training. He spoke passionately about his time at Bristol Prison, emphasising the role of physical fitness in inmate rehabilitation. 

We are particularly excited to have Tony join us, since he is actually a former Weston College student! Tony said: “The public service course equipped me with all the necessary skills and now I am excelling in my role as a [Physical Training Instructor] PTI.” 

Lecturer Nicola lauded the visit saying: “Tony came into college and enthused the current Public Services cohort with tales of his experiences and exploits in the Prison services.”    

Tony Wilson's return to Weston College not only showcased his success but also highlighted our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals prepared for diverse career opportunities. The lecture left a lasting impression, motivating students to pursue their passions with determination and aim for a future filled with possibilities. 

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. 

If you want to find out more about public services courses click here.

Weston College is proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Bosang Humphrey, an Access to HE student who has demonstrated exceptional resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his education. Bosang, originally from Cameroon, overcame numerous personal obstacles and adversities to pursue a career in Mental Health Nursing. 

Bosang embarked on his educational journey by enrolling in the Access to HE: Nursing, Health, and Midwifery program at Weston College. His story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the ability to overcome challenges, inspiring students, staff, and the wider community. 

From the moment he arrived in the UK in 2006, Bosang exhibited a relentless pursuit of excellence. His journey began with overcoming language barriers, but through hard work and a positive attitude, he conquered these obstacles. His academic achievements, initially at a pass level, have since soared to merits and distinctions, showcasing his exceptional abilities and dedication. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bosang's journey is his determination to improve his IT skills. As a novice in IT upon joining the programme, he persevered, and today, he handles technology with ease. His dedication to self-improvement is an inspiration to fellow students. 

Bosang's commitment to his studies extended beyond the classroom, as he frequently stayed late, invested additional time, and sought support to enhance his learning. His extraordinary efforts have made him a role model for all learners, illustrating the power of determination and perseverance in the pursuit of education and personal growth. 

Maxine Park, Subject Area Manager for Access to HE at Weston College, had high praise for Bosang. She stated,  

"We have been very fortunate to meet Bosang, as he inspires us during every session. He is a shining example of what dedication, resilience, and a thirst for knowledge can achieve. He achieved academic excellence and radiated positivity and a willingness to go the extra mile. He embodies the qualities that this award represents – a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep desire to contribute positively to society. Bosang is not just a student; he is a role model, and he undoubtedly deserves recognition for his outstanding accomplishments and the inspiration he provides to others." 

In addition to his academic achievements, Bosang has brought a deeper understanding of his culture to his classmates, encouraging them to explore other cultures and ways of thinking. His warm and infectious energy has earned the admiration of his peers, who often seek his guidance. 

Weston College wholeheartedly believes that Bosang deserves recognition for his exceptional accomplishments and that his story will continue to inspire others to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence in their own educational pursuits. His future in the Mental Health Nursing sector is undoubtedly bright, and the College looks forward to witnessing his continued success. 

Weston College was yet again celebrated for its sustainability work, being asked this week to participate in a very special tree planting ceremony to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III.

The planting of the red oak tree donated to Somerset by Buckingham Palace, took place on the King’s 75th Birthday (14th November) being planted in the Sensory Garden at Vivary Park by the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, assisted by the Chair of Somerset Council, Councillor Mike Best, and Somerset’s three recipients of the “Tree of Trees” of which Weston College was one (in addition to Bishop Fox’s School in Taunton and The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in Somerset).

The College was gifted its special tree, (which formed part of the ‘Tree of Trees’ giant sculpture outside Buckingham Palace, to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022), for its collaborative tree planting work for the Queen’s Green Canopy project, and work to engage students, staff, and the community in this impressive UK wide green initiative.

Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mohammed Saddiq, said:

‘Today has been a very special occasion indeed and a lasting memorial to an important moment in our history,’ with Jacqui Ford the College’s Interim Principal adding:

‘We were thrilled to receive a legacy tree from the iconic Buckingham Palace sculpture, for our work to cascade the important biodiversity message behind the Queen’s Green Canopy project - and for our students and staff to be asked to assist in such a special tree planting this week in Vivary Park, to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III has been a real honour.

We have some incredibly rewarding and fulfilling jobs in prison education, and would love for you to join our fantastic team! 

Our aim is to deliver an outstanding and inclusive learning experience to support the successful rehabilitation, resettlement, and employment of offenders on release. 

Weston College have been providers of prison education since 2011, The College - rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – now provides nationally recognised qualifications and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities to thousands of offenders. 

Our delivery focuses on transformational learning and raising aspirations – changing learners’ perceptions of education and ensuring that education packages meet the needs of offenders when they complete their sentence. 

The College is committed to helping a new generation of offenders to gain skills which will help them to find employment after their release. To achieve this, we deliver nationally recognised qualifications – including diplomas and NVQs – in all our prisons and provide the highest standard of quality in all our teaching. 
 
We are looking to appoint high calibre, enthusiastic and talented professionals. Successful candidates can be supported to establish new or changed careers via teacher training and CPD initiatives. 

Find out more information, and book a call with our recruitment team, by clicking here! 

Weston College is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant of £29,995 by Arts Council England to deliver 'The Open Door Project' at HMP Channings Wood – a Category C men's prison located near Newton Abbot, Devon, where the College is the Prison Education provider. This transformative project is set to run throughout 2024, with the aim of providing arts and creative experiences to prisoners, along with potential routes into employment, through collaborative partnerships with local artists and arts organisations.

Key highlights of the project include:

• An Arts Festival in January 2024 - the project will kick off with an Arts Festival, showcasing the creative talents of the learners. This event will enable learners to try out different art/creative forms and techniques and give feedback on which ones they would like to explore further, as part of the prisoner-led collaborative process.
• In-Prison Workshops - throughout the year, a series of workshops will be organised within the Library and Arts Centre at HMP Channings Wood. Local artists and arts organisations including printmakers from Double Elephant Print Workshops, willow sculptors from Weird Sticks Community Interest Company, creative writers and performers from the Outsiders Project, and contemporary ceramist Lili John, amongst others, will collaborate with each learner to nurture their creative skills and provide guidance.
• Touring Exhibitions - the artwork created by the learners during the workshops will be displayed in touring exhibitions at various local partner venues including Cockington Court Centre of Creativity, Torre Abbey Museum, MAKE Southwest, Newton’s Place, and Exeter Quay Custom House. This not only highlights the creative potential of the learners but also fosters a sense of connection with the wider community.
• Weston College’s Creative Summer Festival - as part of these touring exhibitions, learners' work will feature at the Weston College Festival next summer, celebrating their achievements and the transformative power of the arts.

Kate Linden, Arts Lecturer at HMP Channings Wood, who is spearheading this inspiring initiative commented: “The Open Door Project is a unique opportunity for prisoners to explore their creative potential, connect with their community and gain valuable skills that can lead to employment opportunities upon their release.“

Weston College is committed to supporting 'The Open Door Project' and is excited to be a part of this transformational journey for the learners at HMP Channings Wood. As the project progresses, we will release more information on the dates and times of these future events so people can enjoy the creative outputs.

In a gripping session, former detective for Gloucestershire Constabulary Tony Jay captivated A Level law, Level 3 Criminology and Access to HE Social Sciences students with his firsthand account of the notorious Fred and Rose West serial killer case. Tony shared insights into the investigation, shedding light on the complexities of criminal profiling and forensic science. The students, engaged and intrigued, had the unique opportunity to explore the intricacies of real-life detective work. Tony's visit not only provided valuable insights into the criminal justice system but also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring law and criminology professionals.  

This guest speaker forms part of the subject 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 the real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job market. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches. 

To find out more about A Level law, click here. To find out about Level 3 Criminology click here for 16-18 courses and here for adult courses. To find out about Access to HE Social Sciences click here.

A recent survey of more than 4,500 workers and managers by the Chartered Management Institute, conducted by YouGov, revealed that 82% of managers who enter management positions have not had any formal management and leadership training – they are “accidental managers”. Leadership and Management skills continue to be one of the most highly requested attributes by employers, with only 26% of managers having accessed leadership & management training in the past 12 months. Alongside this challenge, there is an issue of apprenticeship levy funding not being used. City & Guilds research confirmed that since 2017, £3.5bn of apprentice levy had been unused and handed back to the treasury.  

Weston College support individuals and businesses to develop leadership and management skills. Whether it's those stepping into a new management role, or experienced managers looking to establish themselves in a senior leadership role, the College can provide a training pathway.  

Apprenticeships can be for those progressing within a business and they are a fantastic option for employers to upskill employees. In 2023, the College’s management apprenticeship achievement rate was 12% above the national benchmark and 82% of those studying the Team Leading Apprenticeship achieved a distinction.  

Benefits include: 

• Skilled Workforce: Businesses that encourage their employees to complete courses at Weston College can expect a more skilled and competent workforce. This leads to increased productivity, efficiency, and innovation within the company. 

• Leadership and Management Excellence: Businesses benefit from employees who have undergone leadership and management training at Weston College. These individuals are better equipped to lead teams, make strategic decisions, and drive the company's success. 

• Retention and Engagement: Supporting employees in their professional development demonstrates a commitment to their growth, which can boost morale and increase employee retention. Businesses that invest in their workforce often see higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction. 

• Competitive Edge: In today's fast-paced and competitive business environment, having a workforce with up-to-date skills and qualifications is a significant advantage. Businesses can stay ahead of the competition by ensuring their employees are well-prepared and adaptable. 

• Funding: Utilising your levy to build a sustainable leadership and management team makes business sense. Non levy payers are eligible to request funding support through the college so they can upskill at no cost. Apprenticeships not suitable? We can help with a direct Diploma route as a standalone offer... we have routes for every size of business and sector and for any employee; of age and educational background. 

With additional 2024 start dates available, Weston College is poised to scale-up its management training with workshops available in central Bristol at the Bristol Training Institute and in Weston-super-Mare, providing coverage across the West of England. The College can also work with employers to create bespoke programmes nationally.  

Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth & Employer Partnerships, commented: "Weston College are thrilled to announce our ambitions to scale-up our Leadership & Management apprenticeship pathway, which is set to transform the professional landscape for both our learners and the local businesses we serve. Too many people find themselves in a supervisory role but haven’t been trained to manage people. I’ve seen first-hand the impact this training can have on individuals and their teams. We’ve spoken to many businesses who have requested this training. They want us to train the ‘accidental managers’ and equip people with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in leadership roles.” 

“Working with employers, we’ll address the management skills gap and create more productive businesses as a result of this training programme. I’m especially delighted that we’ll be working with partners to share apprenticeship levy removing the cost barrier for SMEs to access this training. Together, we can shape a brighter future for both individuals and the businesses that drive our local economy." 

Find out how you can benefit from a Leadership and Management Apprenticeship and various training pathways, here or email employers@weston.ac.uk  

University Centre Weston (UCW) student, Kam, was successfully named the Association of College’s (AoC) Higher Education Student of the Year winner this week, in front of a packed crowd at the ICC, Birmingham.

The annual AoC Student of the Year awards celebrate students who stand out from the crowd, have gone above and beyond, whether in college or their local community.

Corrienne Peasgood, President of the Association of Colleges, said: “Each year the level of applications is extremely high, and it goes to show the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. Well done Kam on winning you should be extremely proud.”  

Kam is a truly inspirational learner. His life started in a challenging place, experiencing hardships and difficulties all through his childhood and school life. Kam was even incarcerated at one stage.  

Despite these setbacks at the beginning, later on in life Kam made the decision to enter university. At UCW he has thrived, achieving excellent grades and fantastic feedback from his lecturers. Kam’s favourite course module is ‘professional development’ which he describes as “intellectually stimulating and directly aligning with his interests and career goals”. While at university, Kam was shortlisted for the Association of Colleges Higher Education Student of the Year award! 

Kam was incredibly pleased at the news that he’d been shortlisted saying: “When I received the news that I was selected as one of the final three candidates for the AoC HE Student of the Year awards, I was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions - excitement, gratitude, and a deep sense of accomplishment.” 

Kam gave credit to his lecturers for helping to support him on this incredible journey: “my lecturers Ross Bliss, Richard Edkins and Sam Brooks have been exceptionally supportive throughout my journey. Their expertise, guidance, and willingness to support me in my endeavours have been instrumental in my educational and personal development. They've provided valuable insights, mentorship, and encouragement, which have enriched my learning experience.” 

“UCW's facilities and equipment have been incredibly beneficial to my studies. Providing me with not just the hardware to excel in my chosen field but also the technical expertise and encouragement has significantly enhanced my learning experience. The university's commitment to providing top-notch resources has made a tangible difference in my academic journey.” 

Kam is proof that you are never too old for education: “being a mature learner at UCW has been a positive and enriching experience. It's allowed me to bring a unique perspective to class discussions, given my life experiences. The diverse academic environment has provided a platform for meaningful interactions and learning from peers of all ages and backgrounds.”  

A key part of Kam’s journey and one of the many reasons he won this impressive award has been his commitment to social justice outside of university. Specifically, his incredible work surrounding penal reform has gained strong attention: “my commitment to the field of penal reform stems from a profound sense of social responsibility. I firmly believe in the transformative power of education and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system. The work in this area has been both challenging and rewarding. We've made significant progress in implementing more effective programs and interventions, ultimately leading to a more just and equitable system.”  

Excitingly, Kam is helping to develop an app which provides comprehensive support for individuals leaving custodial settings. Kam explained: “The Growth App is a groundbreaking project I've had the privilege to be a part of. By centralising resources from various 3rd sector organisations, the Growth App offers personalised support, addressing individuals' most critical needs in order of importance. Moreover, it provides a structured roadmap for the client, guiding them through their journey towards reintegration and rehabilitation. With the strained probation services and the pressing concern of resettlement, the Growth App serves as a vital bridge between the public and private sectors, empowering both probation and 3rd sector organisations to provide timely and tailored assistance to their clients.” 

To find out more about BA (Hons) Film and Media Arts Production click here and to find out more about Weston College Creative and Digital Media courses click here.