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LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

Michael Gove dinner

Weston College students had a chance to meet Michael Gove, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, and local MP John Penrose, last week at an event hosted by Weston-super-Mare Conservative Association.

The students, who are currently studying A Level Government and Politics at Weston College’s Sixth Form Centre, were invited to the Royal Hotel for a three course meal followed by a speech from Mr Gove, who last week was voted out of the Conservative Party leadership election.

Kori, 17, said: “I found the evening thoroughly interesting. It’s cool to see politicians in the flesh because it shows us that the things we learnt in class are more than just theory or history.

“Meeting the politicians brings the concept of politics back to reality.”

Mardi McLay, Lecturer in Government and Politics at Weston College, said: “This was a unique experience providing the students with an opportunity to see first-hand, politics in action.”

Eve Mason, Weston College’s Curriculum Lead in Humanities, Legal and Social Studies, said: “Mr Gove was an interesting and entertaining speaker, who spoke on a range of contemporary matters.

“The students gained a valuable insight into the political process, talking at length to one of Mr Gove’s advisors to find out how he got into politics and what it’s like working for an MP.”

During his speech, Mr Gove paid special tribute to the students, saying: “It’s good to see the amazing young people from Weston College here this evening.

“Everyone in the town should feel proud of the College, and it deserves congratulations for everything it has achieved.”

Mr Gove has previously commended the College for its work in the offender learning sector, where it delivers education in nine prisons across the South West of England.

Art, fashion and textiles, and photography students at Weston College held a successful art show at the College's Sixth Form Centre on Loxton Road.

The show displayed work from second year A Level students, all of which contributes to their final projects, and gave visitors from outside the college a chance to see what they have been working on and discuss this with the students.

Several awards were also given out on the evening, including Head of Faculty’s award, won by Caitlin Hartman, and awards for art, photography and textiles won by Caitlin Dawkes, Matt Szymankiewicz and Neve Lynch respectively.

Ryan Aves, Team Leader for Creative and Maths, said: “We are extremely proud of the work presented by our students in the 2017 Sixth Form Art, Fashion and Photography show. They have all been very imaginative with their ideas and the results of this professional approach will yield excellent A level outcomes in the summer.

“The opening night was attended by many family and friends of the students, and since then local artists as well as teachers and pupils from local schools have been to look at the varied nature of the work.

“The excellent work will surely ensure visitors consider Weston Sixth Form as a great place to study art, photography and textiles.”

A selection of first year art work was also included in the show, which stretched across the entirety of the first floor of the Sixth Form.

Rugby


Opposition: Richard Huish

Score: Weston 10-22 Huish

MOM: Tommy Bailey

Weston College first XV hosted Richard Huish first XV on Wednesday the 17th of January at Weston- Super- Mare RFC. Conditions for the fixture were exceptional with a cool but dry atmosphere throughout the event making conditions perfect for running rugby. After a confrontational opening 20 minutes Weston College scored their first try. An exceptionally well finished try by Harrison Lyon who burst through a tackle and scored a 15-meter run in. The try was the result of sustained phase play attack by the Weston side, which was just reward from their dominant opening play. From the kick-off Richard Huish scored a clinical try, punishing the Weston defence for not clearing their lines within their own 22.  

The extremely close affair continued long into the second half with both teams scoring a further two tries' making it a 12-10 lead to Richard Huish. After scoring their second try to keep the contest competitive Weston conceded their third try directly from the kick-off. With Richard Huish demonstrating consistency and organisation within their attack. With the score at 17-10 the away side changed their phase play attack into a more elusive style, catching the home side off guard. The commitment and effort levels from Weston were to be admired demonstrating a unity and collective approach which will see the benefit in the future during close fixtures.  

Richard Huish continued playing, elusive rugby to score their final try making the end result 22-10. Honourable mentions include Josh Gardner, who lead with exceptional passion and determination on his debut as Captain. Tommy Bailey worked relentlessly in defence with continued support in attack. Ethan Thomas controlled the backline and directed the team with some outstanding kicking from hand.  


Football 1st


Opposition: Richard Huish

Score: 5-2

MOM: Cory Thomas Barker

Richard Huish welcomed Weston College Mens 1 to play a league fixture in ECFA Mens category 2 south west (south). As the game started Weston controlled possession and moved the ball around on a difficult pitch. They created a good number of early chances which we were able to convert and went into a 2 goal lead thanks to Tom Llewellyn and Lucas Vowles. With the game in Weston’s control we created more chances with good play down the wide areas and holding good possession through-out the half. Just before the break with a lack of concentration from Weston’s part Richard Huish were back into the game 2-1 at half time. After the break both teams were going forwards looking to either get back into the game or run away with it. With Weston still having more of the ball they raced into a 4-1 lead with both Tom and Lucas sharing the spoils once again. Again through a mistake from Weston Richard Huish were allowed them back into the game at 4-2. With the game entering the last 20 minutes Weston took control and slowed the game. Weston Still had chances to further the lead and Cory Thomas-Baker was able to score a goal to remember from 35 yards. Weston ran out winners 5-2. We wish Richard Huish all the best with their remaining fixtures.


Netball


Opposition: Bridgwater

Score: Weston 30-19 Bridgwater

POM: Chloe

A great start to Weston Colleges first match back since Christmas. All the girls were enthusiastic to get on and start the match . The match started very quick with great movement especially by Chloe and Lucy around the attacking circle edge . Court defence was hard for Bridgewater to play through with some great opportunities for Jodi to intercept a lot of the attacking play . 1st quarter ended 12-6 to Weston .

Going into the 2nd quarter the girls settled and slowed play down to allow for a more controlled attack and to limit some mistakes made in the first quarter . Weston pulled ahead with some fantastic shooting and rebounds by Erin and Megan finishing the second quarter 20-10 .

The 3rd quarter both teams made changes, Bridgewater came on with a confident start which made Weston have to dig deep . The whole squad pulled together while they settled with new players on showing great interceptions and marking by Beth and excellent man on man marking and back up play by Ella finishing the third quarter 24-16.

Going into the 4 th quarter Weston showcased their talent by continuing to back each other up and create lots of opportunities for each other to intercept and get turn over ball by Chloe and Beth Playing GD.

A great first match with lots of amazing match play  and attitude. 

For prospective university students and their parents, the costs and loans associated with university can be daunting and confusing. Many news articles obscure this further by presenting misleading information.

An article on FE News  recently analysed research from the bank ‘B’. The article refers to a series of statistics which creates the overall impression that students are in the dark with regard to student finance which is causing a series of issues.

  1. Students will not earn enough to repay their debt
  2. A quarter of students believe they will be bankrupt before they turn 30
  3. 38% of students don’t know how much they will owe
  4. 75% don’t know how much they will repay
  5. 52% don’t know when they will make repayments
  6. 80% don’t have a plan to manage their finances

The majority of these statistics and theories feed into the idea that all students going to university are going to be saddled with mountains of debt and that they will be faced with eye-watering and financially damaging repayments.

In reality the student finance system is far more supportive and the repayment mechanisms in place recover a proportion of the debt in a way which is financially sustainable for the graduate.

The idea that many students will not repay their debts might well be correct, but perhaps not to the extent that you would expect.

The Financial Times found that “About 70 percent of students who left university last year are expected never to finish repaying their loans, according to modelling carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Instead they will have to make repayments for 30 years before then having the unpaid loan written off".

The current system of student finance has a time limit on the repayments, this does not mean that 100% of the loan has to be repaid before the end of the term, but rather than any remaining debt on the account at that point is cleared in full.

At present, this term is set at 30 years from the April after the student graduates from university, therefore the misconception that students will be saddled with this debt for life is incorrect and it is unlikely that the majority of graduates will repay the loan in full.

The claim that a third of students believe that they will be bankrupt by the age of 30 stems from a deep seeded misunderstanding with how the student finance system works. To explore why this will, most likely, not be the case it is necessary to look at the amounts students will owe and how and when will graduates make their repayments.

In the present system the most a university can charge for tuition fees is £9,250 (a total of £27,750 over three years). In addition to this fee, students are able to apply for a means-tested maintenance loan, which if moving away from the parental home and not studying in London could add an extra £8,700 per year, or £26,100 over three years, to the total figure owed by students. The total amount which could be owed by a learner is £53,850 (based on 2018 figures with student moving away from home and not to London).

In addition to the total loan amount, there is interest from the day the first payment is made at a rate of the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 3%. At present RPI is set at 3.1% and is a variable rate which is taken every March for the following year’s calculations. Therefore the amount that graduates owe is set to rise each month.

Graduating students do have the potential to owe over £50,000 in student loan debt when they graduate, this is undeniably a huge amount of money and if it were a regular loan would likely see the monthly repayments of up to £400 over a 25 year period.

This is where a comparison with a standard loan ends as student debt needs to be considered as something entirely different, this is what is often difficult for students and their parents/carers to understand. The mechanisms for repaying the student debt does not differ based on the amount borrowed, the terms of repayment are the same for all graduates.

Graduates will start to repay their loan as of the April after they graduate from university, or when they leave their course. Repayments will only begin once the graduate is earning above the threshold which is currently set at £25,000. Therefore any graduate who does not earn above this threshold will not make any repayments on their student debt.

Once a graduate is earning above the threshold they will make repayments on any amount over this threshold, which will be taken directly from their pay at a rate of 9% (for example if the graduate earns £26,000 they will repay 9% of £1,000 which would amount to repaying £90 in that tax year).

This mechanism for repayment is there to ensure that graduates are able to make affordable repayments on their student loan and graduates will not have to manage this debt as it is taken through their pay packets.

Therefore in comparison with a standard debt, which might see an annual repayment of £4,800 per year on a £50,000 loan, the student loan repayments are far more sustainable at 9% of earnings over £25,000 and the remaining debt at the end of the 30 year term is written off entirely.

In reality, the notion that almost a quarter of students believe that they will be declared bankrupt by the time they are 30 is likely a misconception based on misunderstanding the student finance system and the schedule of repayments.

Better representation and information in the media would act to provide a widespread education on student finance to alleviate students who feel anxious about repaying the money they are borrowing for higher education.

Many of the misconceptions about student finance are rooted in a lack of understanding of how student finance works and more positive actions by the media need to be taken to create some widespread change in the way that people regard student debt. It may be that extensive PR needs to take place or a ‘rebranding’ of what it is called to get away from the negative connotations with the word ‘debt’.

Students, and their parents/carers, need to be made aware of the positive aspects of the student finance system and they need to be completely aware of how much they will owe, how and when they will make the repayments and how long the term of the debt is. If this information is successfully communicated in the media then it may act to alleviate the anxiety felt by students so that they can understand that yes they have student debt, but that it will most likely not bankrupt them as their weekly/monthly repayments are always proportionate to their earnings and not to the amount they owe.

Hamish Gilpin, UCAS Lead, Weston College

Digital Advocates

Weston College is providing staff with the opportunity to boost their digital skills.

The new ‘Digital Advocate’ programme is a part of Weston College’s digital vision – to create an environment in which learners can use real-world technologies to create, collaborate and share.

Staff will be recognised as Digital Advocates, and will help to identify opportunities for further digital enhancement, as well as share new practices.

Digital Advocates will form a cross-College group, supported by the College’s dedicated Learning Technologists. The network of Digital Advocates will share new digital developments, approaches and form a community of good practice.

The College works closely with Microsoft, and Digital Advocates will have access to a range of resources, support and certification, including Microsoft Certified Educator.

Liam Fisher, the College’s Learning Technology Manager, said: “This is a really exciting new programme, and one which is sure to enhance the learners experience at the College.

“We believe that developing digital skills and practices in our staff and learners is the key to unlocking the potential for technology to transform our teaching and learning.”

Microsoft Certified Educator

Construction Centre

Construction is a vital contributor to the regional economy.

And it’s set to increase in importance with a number of projects either in development or planned.

The Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset is the largest construction project in Europe. Four thousand businesses in the south west are registered to work on the project and, by 2020, there will be £200m of spending each year in the local economy.

Public housing is another key area of regional growth, with the south west set to buck the UK trend and grow at 3.7% to 2021. Plus, the government’s pledge to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, will also impact the region.

However, these developments – and issues such as Brexit – have highlighted a significant problem: demand is outstripping supply of skilled workers. In fact, a shortage of construction workers faced by small and medium-sized businesses has hit its worst level on record.

With over 20,000 new jobs being created in the region up to 2021, action is needed.

At Weston College, we’re taking the bull by the horns by developing a purpose-built Construction Training Centre This £3.8m project, which adds to our already comprehensive range of construction training courses, is based just off Junction 21 of the M5, and is due to open in spring 2019.

It addresses the shortage of infrastructure construction skills, and targets three areas where the shortage is at its most acute – plant operations, scaffolding, and groundworks.

But what makes this centre unique is that it’s geared towards fulfilling genuine commercial need and to providing training on demand.

Over the last decade, we’ve built strong relationships with employers to develop our apprenticeship provision. And it’s become increasingly apparent that commercial organisations want training at the point of need – not just for school leavers during the academic year.

Once the new centre is up and running, employers can come to us at any time for short courses, top-up courses, and to up-skill staff who are taking on new roles. We’ll also provide apprenticeships in these new areas when they’re required.

School leavers are able to take advantage of the available training at Weston College at our existing centre at South West Skills Campus on Locking Road. The new Construction Training Centre will also allow us to provide bespoke training at short notice, and react to the realities of the commercial world.

What’s more, construction employers, trade organisations and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), who match-funded the project with some £3.3m through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority, have all been fully engaged in informing the building design and offer.

But, as with any project of this nature, much of its success relies on the strategic partnerships it involves and we’re extremely fortunate to be working with highly professional, market-leading organisations.

We have a long-running relationship with Midas Construction, who are commissioned to build the centre. They understand the College, our priorities and how to provide the learning environment that students need. Midas are also a key member of the employers’ forum that drives the content of the new centre’s curriculum.

We’re also working closely with Simian Risk to deliver scaffolding training. We worked hard to identify a strategic partner for the centre and are delighted to be working with Simian, who are national leaders in the field of scaffolding safety, training and assessment.

For more information on the Construction Training Centre, please click here

weston college students

Weston College joined forces with the Chefs’ Forum Academy to host an event promoting careers in the hospitality industry to over 200 pupils.

Some of the region’s top chefs demonstrated at the Hospitality Industry Taster Day, which took place at the Winter Gardens, 11.30am-1.30pm on Wednesday 20th March.

This free event – was open to year 8, 9, 10 and 11 pupils, and college students – showcasing the hospitality industry as a career option. Guests were treated to mocktails, canapés and beef burgers.

The day included 20-minute interactive masterclasses showcasing culinary expertise such as butchery, beef cookery, the secrets of herbs and spices, and intricate pastry techniques.

Sandra Bull, Divisional Lead for Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said “We are pleased to have some of the region’s top chefs and butchers involved to show how rewarding and exciting a career in the industry can be. In a sector, which is in, decline it is great to showcase the options open to those leaving school in the next couple of years. This year we also hosted various local businesses – a great opportunity for buddy chefs to see local produce is best!”

The Chefs’ Academy Forum is a network of industry experts that supports the next generation of chefs. As well as showcasing their skills at the taster day, forum experts teach Weston College hospitality students, enriching learning through bespoke cookery masterclasses in the College kitchens.

Jack Cook, of award-winning Devizes butchers Walter Rose & Son, performed a beef butchery masterclass in advance of Great British Beef Week. All pupils who attended the event got a delicious Walter Rose Angus x Hereford Stokes Marsh Farm beef burger, with delicious garnishes produced by College catering students.

Le Manoir-trained chef Amy Nancollis, from Oak and Glass restaurant in Weston, joined chefs Andy Chan and Tom Everard Fairburn, of Thornbury Castle Hotel, for an éclair filling and decorating competition.

Topping the day off will be a spice masterclass from Sam Guarino, of Santa Maria. Sam talked budding young chefs through the tasty world of herbs and spices.

Chefs’ Forum Founder, Catherine Farinha, said: “It was a real honour to be asked to hold this event with Weston College again this year. If a handful of students who attend the event are inspired to study catering and hospitality because of the fantastic industry experts on show, then our work here is done.”

This event is run annually, register your interest via email sandra.bull@weston.ac.uk.

weston college students

Weston College will launch their new adult course guide at the Festival of Learning on Saturday (15th June). The course guide is packed full of courses to help you add to your CV, change career or gain the qualifications you need to apply for university.

The courses are flexible (class-based, distance or online), allowing you to study around other commitments and get ahead of the competition. If you’re looking for advice, College staff will be on hand to tell you what’s on offer, help you enrol, offer career advice and help with your CV.

You could even learn an exciting new hobby. The 2019/20 adult course guide includes courses on 3D printing, blacksmithing, milling and turning, VR and game creation, computer coding, tackling garden projects, carpentry, car maintenance, 3D drawing, cake decorating and forestry skills … the opportunities are endless!

Pick up your copy at the Festival of Learning on Saturday 15th June at the Winter and Italian Gardens between 11am and 3pm. Find out more about the Festival of Leaning.

Can’t make it to the Festival of Learning?

On Saturday 15th June our website will be updated with all the latest part-time courses. Here, you can find the course that is right for you by searching for keywords or browsing the new categories:

  • Change career
  • Advance career
  • Employers
  • Get a degree
  • Get into work
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Online Learning
  • New hobby.

Visit www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults

Football Players

We're pleased to announce that we have been awarded with a National League License thanks to our partnership with Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club.

The Weston AFC is a semi-professional football club based in Weston-super-Mare, nicknamed "The Seagulls".

football

The Seagulls are 1 of only 22 clubs outside of the football league to achieve this invitation only Academy License.

Weston Academy Senior Phase Lead, Mark McKeever, said "To be 1 of only 22 clubs outside of the football league to achieve this Academy License, shows the huge steps forward the Academy has taken and our continued commitment to youth development.

"Our strong partnership with Weston College, along with the hard work of all our Academy coaches, makes Weston-super-Mare AFC one of the south west’s best places for young players to develop outside of the professional game and this new Academy License is a testament to that."

Joel Parker, Director of Sport at Weston College, stated “We are extremely pleased to secure National League Academy status, in partnership with Weston-super-Mare AFC, which further highlights the quality of our football programme.

“The National League Academy License is a dual educational and performance model, which allows learners to fully immerse themselves as student-athletes. Our football programme allows aspiring players to be a part of a full-time provision, which supports their academic and sporting commitments.

"The programme involves weekly strength & conditioning, analysis, and pitch sessions, which learners combine with their academic studies. We believe that we are the best ‘second-chance’ programme for football players leaving Academies and looking for an alternative route into the professional game.

“Weston College’s outstanding sports facilities, at our new Health and Active Living Skills Centre, alongside Weston-super-Mare AFC’s, provide players with the environment to achieve both their academic and sporting aspirations.”

Benefits of a National League License

  • Improved productivity of home-grown players
  • Improved player pathways
  • Protects clubs against losing players
  • Improves playing and coaching standards
  • Improves the standard of competition
  • Improves the credibility and status of our youth development programme

Weston Academy has seen an influx of players joining the first team ranks in recent years including Tom Llewellyn, Ryan Jones, Dan Ferguson, Cory Thomas-Barker, Jack Goodall, Liam Kingston, Jake Mawford and Luke Purnell.

Click here to read more about our amazing Weston Sport provision, Sport Courses and the bespoke new facility: The Health and Active Living Skills Centre.

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.

Apply or find out more

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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.