The British seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare and the American gambling city of Las Vegas are to be virtually linked later this month in a unique stage show involving performing arts students.

Ground-breaking computer technology and a video link will make it appear as if the students are alongside each other when the show ‘Time Lapse’ is staged by degree students of the Wessex Academy of Performing Arts (WAPA) at Weston College and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

In fact, they will be separated by more than 5,000 miles and an eight hour time difference when the performances take place on April 23rd at 4pm UK time in Weston and 8am Pacific Time in Las Vegas, and on April 24th at 8am in Weston and 12am in Nevada.

Weston College Higher Education Curriculum Co-ordinator for Performing Arts Degrees Ged Stephenson, said: “The performances will be done over video link, although the students will perform as if they’re on stage together.

“The technology that is being used to achieve this is ground-breaking and it’s believed that this performance will be a world first because there are no time delays in the visuals and only a very slight one in sound.

“The video link will be done using ultra-grids, which are really advanced computers that have been created by UNLV.”

Students from a variety of performing arts degree courses at Weston College will be performing with students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

The collaboration between the two educational establishments began about a year and a half ago, after Weston College lecturer Sylvia Lane approached UNLV while on holiday in Las Vegas to see if she could forge links there.

Last year Weston College hosted a visit from two UNLV lecturers, Michael Lugering, Professor of Acting, and Louis Kavouras, Professor of Dance. They spent two days running specialist master classes for students on Foundation Degrees in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre, run in partnership with Bath Spa University.

This provided the basis for the project to stage a unique joint performance across time zones in the play ‘Time Lapse’, which has been specially-scripted for the show.

Ged Stephenson added: “Any live performance requires a considerable amount of organisation, but this show has also required exchanges and sharing of workshops using Skype, Facetime and YouTube.”

Students taking English GCSEs at Weston College have smashed national benchmarks with exceptionally high pass rates.

Of the 23 students who took their GCSE English exam before Christmas, 20 achieved a grade C or above, putting the pass rate at 87% – miles ahead of the 27% national benchmark.

The students were a combination of new learners to the College and returning learners, who have previously failed to obtain the C grade required to progress to further education.

These results are a huge cause for celebration, and go to show how Weston College supports its learners to achieve.

Kelly O’Connor, Subject Area Manager for GCSE English, said: “These results just go to show how hard work really can pay off.

“I’m immensely proud of my students and am confident that they have paved their way to successful futures.”

Weston College offers several options to support learners who have previously not taken GCSE English, or haven’t achieved a C grade.

Martin Baker has recently taken the reigns as Head Chef of popular wedding venue, Rookery Manor, Weston-super-Mare.

As a professional chef, working long hours in a busy kitchen, Martin is only too aware of the importance of looking after health and diet. The tasty, calorie-rich dishes a chef cooks for guests at their workplace are often very different from the diet they tend to follow in between shifts and when off duty.

Martin has been working with Weston College through a chefs’ forum academy and has worked with students in the training kitchens on campus to give them a taste of what is expected of them once they make their way into the world of work. Martin is looking forward to welcoming catering students from Weston College into his kitchen for work experience at Rookery Manor.

Load up on fruit

Fruit and veg are packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre - Follow this rule and you’re less likely to get high cholesterol high blood pressure and some cancers - Remember your five a day!

Eat better fats

Saturated and trans fats raise bad cholesterol levels and cause heart disease. Cut out bacon, butter, untrimmed meats… also cookies and crackers are a ‘no-no’. Swap full fat milk to semi-skimmed and try a turkey burger next time you fancy its beefy cousin!

Drink lots of water

Cut out carbonated drinks, sports drinks and coffee - six to eight pints of water per day flushes out toxins!

Eat more fibre

t reduces belly fat, gives you greater energy and lowers the chance of type 2 diabetes. Eat whole grain bread and whole meal pasta. Cook with brown rice instead of white.

Cut down portion sizes

Grab a smaller plate for food – the smaller the plate, the smaller the portion – You will still feel the satisfaction of eating a full plate.

Just 40 days into the College’s ambitious target of 200 apprenticeship pledges in 100 days, the College has reached the halfway point – persuading 110 businesses to agree to take on an apprentice.

Among the businesses that have pledged are Alliance Home Groups, Restor8, Ketchup, One Big Circle and the NHS. Their pledges have taken on a diverse range of apprenticeships, across professions such as: customer services, adult care, business administration, commis chef, IT and management.

Another organisation which has pledged to take on apprentices during the campaign is Thatchers Cider, which has pledged to hire a commis chef apprentice, a business admin apprentice and an IT apprentice.

Phil Smith, Visitor Services Manager at Thatchers Cider Company, said: “We are very excited to support Weston College’s 200 in 100 campaign. We see apprenticeships as an effective way of building our workforce. In an industry where there is a skills gap, developing and training our own chefs and giving them real life experience is crucial.

“The support we have received so far from the College has been second to none. We look forward to developing our apprentice and hopefully many more apprentices in the future.”

SACO Apartments has hired two leadership apprentices, and Di Gwinnel, HR Business Partner for SACO, said: “It is exciting to get involved with the 200 in 100 campaign and show our support for developing aspirational talented individuals. We have taken on two apprentices and the whole business is looking forward to helping them develop.

“Weston College has been extremely helpful and I would highly recommend getting in contact with them to support you with the whole apprenticeship process.”

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “Apprenticeships play an important role in developing highly skilled workforces for organisations and it is fantastic to see how many businesses are making use of our Training Solutions team to help develop young people and adults across the South West.

“We have seen more apprenticeship opportunities open up for our students across a range of sectors, which is very exciting for the College and our learners.”

You can keep an eye on the campaign’s progress across social media, with #200in100 being used on Twitter.

For more information and to pledge go to: www.weston.ac.uk/200in100. You can also email the apprenticeship team at enquiries@weston.ac.uk or call on 01934 411 594.

Weston College celebrated the successes of its apprentices, trainees, work experience students, and their employers at the annual Weston College Business Awards at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, Weston-super-Mare.

The Awards, sponsored by Honeyfield Property Services Ltd, brought together key figures in the regional business community to reward the outstanding achievements of the College’s learners, as well as the business partners that work with the College to support their success. Ben Smith, Founder and Creator of the 401 Challenge, delivered the keynote speech and handed out trophies and certificates to the winners.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “The Business Awards was a fantastic celebration of the outstanding efforts of our students and the employers that work with the College to enable their learning.

“It was great to see the diverse range of businesses that the College works with come together to recognise apprentices for the hard work that they do. These apprentices haven’t just succeeded – they have excelled and progressed into permanent employment, management and key positions in their businesses.”

Ben Mager, a College student who recently visited Buckingham Palace with Dr Phillips to receive the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, took home the awards for Childcare Apprentice of the Year and Overall Apprentice of the Year.

Ben was born eight weeks prematurely and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. He started studying at Weston College in 2011 as part of the School Link Programme and then followed a progression path through the College’s Faculty of Inclusive Practice. He realised his potential and started to believe in himself while taking part in the College’s Into Work supported internship programme, where he discovered his passion for working with children.

Last year he started an apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Workforce at Castle Kids, where he has become popular with the children and introduced successful activities to them.

Ben said: “This award shows how far I’ve come, that I’ve worked so hard, and that the College has recognised me for who I am, what I’ve done and what I’ve achieved.

“My aim is to work with children with additional needs and disabilities. I want to give back to them the support I’ve received as a disabled person myself.”

As part of his prize, Ben Mager received a cheque for £150 from event sponsors Honeyfield Property Services Ltd.

Weston College’s Business Awards is open to businesses that work with the College to offer apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience opportunities to its students. There were 30 award winners, ranging from small and medium employers to large international companies such as GKN Aerospace.

The UCAS deadline is fast approaching.

And if you haven’t decided which university you want to go, don’t worry.

We’ve got four top tips to help you choose.

1) Location

Location is a really important factor to consider when applying for university, as you want to live somewhere that makes you feel at home. Are you likely to miss your family? Or maybe you can’t wait to get away? Take this into consideration when thinking about university, it can help give you a much better experience.

2) Course

This is a crucial one, as it’s the main reason you’re going to university. Course content differs depending on which university you choose to go to, so make sure you do your research. This will help you find out if the modules matches your strengths, and increases the chances of choosing something that suits you and your future plans. You also need to think about entry requirements – for instance, whether your predicted grades good enough – and employment statistics, as graduates of some universities have a better track record of landing jobs than others.

3) Living costs

Being a student can be expensive, so make sure you research the cost of living in your chosen location. It’s worth looking into the cost of accommodation, whether it be halls of residence or house sharing, to make sure you can afford where you are going. Some universities will also offer a bursary (a grant that helps with the cost of fees, books, rent, etc.) and it’s definitely worth checking if you are entitled to one.

4) Environment

Environments differ amongst universities. Campus universities tend to have everything you need in one location (halls, lectures, shop, bar, restaurant, etc.), whereas others provide more independence and are spread across a city or town. Think which you would prefer, and factor travel arrangements into your thought process.

If you need any support with your UCAS application, please contact Hamish Gilpin on hamish.gilpin@weston.ac.uk, or call on 01934 422742.

We’ve all heard of work experience and apprenticeships.

But where do traineeships fit in with these employment-focused schemes?

Basically, a traineeship is a training programme that features work experience and often acts as a stepping stone to an apprenticeship. Trainees often require English and maths qualifications, relevant training, or the experience required to gain their dream apprenticeship. A traineeship bridges the gap and is a great CV builder.

Traineeships are for 16 to 24-year-olds and are a fantastic way for young, motivated individuals to show employers that they are an ideal candidate.

We have seen many students progress rapidly from traineeships to apprenticeships with big firms such as GKN and Rolls Royce. This wouldn’t have been possible if they hadn’t completed their traineeship first.

Businesses can also reap a number of benefits from offering traineeships. Here are six:

• Traineeships allow you to select the best apprenticeship candidates for your business

• Trainees often become loyal employees

• Traineeships are fully funded by the government

• It is a cost effective method of recruiting new talent

• You can train a learner with the specific skills that your company is looking for

• Your current employees can gain experience managing trainees.

We often find that once a trainee has completed their programme, they are offered an apprenticeship by the same organisation. This shows the importance of taking a chance on someone whose CV doesn’t necessarily stand out.

Recruiting someone with the right attitude and motivation can be hard, but by offering a traineeship you can find the right character for your company.

You can find out more about traineeships, by clicking here. 

Further education (FE) colleges are an essential cog in the education ‘machine’ in England.

As Principal of a college, you might say I’m biased.

But I’d argue that’s given me extensive, first-hand experience of how colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds make the most of their talents and ambitions. And these are only the direct benefits. If you consider the role colleges play and the influence they have in the wider communities, it’s clear they are in driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economies.

And these are only the direct benefits. If you take into account the role colleges play and the influence they have in the wider communities, it’s clear they are driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economies.

To put it bluntly, colleges matter – to their students, staff and local communities.

However, it’s no exaggeration to say their futures are in jeopardy due to the extensive and continued funding cuts affecting the sector.

For too long the vital work of colleges has been overlooked and underfunded.

The total college income in England has fallen by £1 billion since the start of the decade, which represents a funding cut of around 30%.

This drop in funding has led to:

• Fewer hours of teaching and support for young people
• Course closures
• A reduction in the number of learning opportunities for adults
• The value of staff pay falling by over 25% since 2009
• Job losses and recruitment problems
• College teachers earning £7,000 less on average than school teachers.

The situation is completely unsustainable and we need action now.

Fortunately that action is materialising in the form of the ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign, led by the Association of Colleges who are uniting the sector in pursuit of one overarching goal – appropriate funding of further education.

This includes:

• Increasing the 16-19 funding rate by 5% a year for the next five years, and extending the pupil premium to cover post-16 students
• Fully funding a National Retraining Scheme to support Level 3 to 5 skills
• Introducing a lifetime learning entitlement to fund skills training for all adults who have not previously achieved a level 3 qualification.

As well as making the case for extra government funding and fair pay in FE, ‘Love our Colleges’ is also highlighting the great work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible.

The campaign is supported by UCU, Unison, Unite, GMB, NEU, NUS, TUC, ASCL and the Association of Colleges, who organise and co-ordinate a string of events and activities throughout the year.

But among the many great aspects of ‘Love our Colleges’ is that individual colleges and students can get involved to keep the issue at the top of the government’s agenda.

For instance, you can support the campaign by tweeting using the #LoveOurColleges hashtag to say why you think the government should invest more in colleges and their staff and students; and write to your local MP asking them to support fair funding in FE and sign Early Day Motion 1686 calling for urgent investment in FE colleges.

To find out more about Love our Colleges and its various events, take a look here. 

Weston College has been awarded funds to train five industry professionals to work as post-16 teachers.

It is one of 45 further education (FE) providers selected by the government to receive funding as part of the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme. The initiative was unveiled last year to recruit and retrain industry specialists to work in the FE workforce.

The College will use the funding to recruit specialists from the engineering and digital industries.

Successful candidates, who must have at least three years’ experience in either the engineering or digital sector, will benefit from a specialised teacher training programme over the first two years of employment.

This includes:

• A fully recognised teacher training qualification

• An eight-week induction programme

• A reduced teaching timetable to provide more opportunities for professional development, planning and reflection.

If you’re interested in applying, or would like more information, contact Edd Brown on 01934 411693 or email your CV to Edward.brown@weston.ac.uk or attend our Engineering to education event on the 25th July. 16:00 - 18:30 at our South West Skills Campus. 

TTF is part of a wider drive to prepare for the introduction of T Levels from 2020. T Levels, which will be available at Weston College, are vocational equivalents to A Levels and will cover 15 industry-related subjects. They have been introduced to help produce skilled workers for sectors that have found it difficult to recruit in recent years.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “This is a unique opportunity for engineering or digital specialists to embark on a rewarding career in further education.

“It not only gives them a head-start in the industry, but enables them to work at one of the country’s top Colleges and benefit from all the support, resources and progression opportunities they’ll need to achieve success.”

In announcing the winning TTF bids, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Anne Milton said: “Teaching in further education is an incredibly rewarding career. We are reforming technical education in this country with the introduction of new T Levels and we want more staff with industry skills to pass on their expertise and inspire the next generation.

“I’m thrilled to announce the second round of providers who will be offered funding to help over 160 industry professionals to become FE teachers.

“We’ve already seen fantastic stories of success. The fund has supported 47 new teachers to date, and I am looking forward to more teachers joining the profession to inspire, energise and bring on the next generation of highly-skilled young people.”

TTF was designed in partnership with the Association of Colleges and the Education and Training Foundation.

The foundation’s chief executive David Russell said there was a “vital need” to bring industry talent into the sector to pass expertise and experience on to learners, teachers and trainers.