Over 1,200 students attended Weston College’s annual Brighter Futures Fair at the Winter Gardens.

The fair provides College students with the opportunity to meet a range of employers and education providers, and make a more informed decision about their next steps.

Universities and businesses were among 50 exhibitors at the event, including EDF Energy, Osborne Clarke, The Honeytree Day Nursery, University of Bristol and First Group.

Emma Cox, Training Co-Ordinator at exhibitor Thatchers Cider, said: “We strongly believe in offering local young people career opportunities, so it was exciting to be involved in the Brighter Futures Fair and meet so many Weston College learners.

“We have a wide variety of career opportunities within Thatchers and working closely with Weston College has enabled us to source local talent.”

Ben Cocks, Assistant Director – School Engagement and Learner Growth – at Weston College, said: “We were delighted to host another successful careers fair – one that provided our learners with an opportunity to talk to a real range of exhibitors.

“We feel it is critical to provide our learners with the platform to engage with both employers and universities, as this will help them make an informed decision on their next steps.”

There was also the opportunity for the learners to win some exciting prizes, including an Amazon Echo, Lasseter's restaurant vouchers and a Swansea monopoly set. There 14 prize winners were:

• Chloe Peacock

• Chloe Pritchard

• Skylar Beacham

• Kraig Taylor-Bryant

• Josh Mitchell

• Mark Tapley

• Jaida White

• Kieran Perry

• Charlotte Bailey

• Tasin Ahmed

• Alistair Cameron-Kettle

• Blake Goodare

• Lottie Gwer

• Ewan Barnfather

At Weston College we believe recognising the success of learners throughout their entire journey in education is essential. Motivating students and sharing their accomplishments fills us with pride and promotes to the community that access to great education creates brighter futures.

In 2015 Weston College rebranded higher education provision to University Centre Weston (UCW). UCW offers over 45 degrees in partnership with University of the West of England and Bath Spa University.

To recognise and celebrate our degree learners’ achievements we hold the annual UCW Awards whereby learners are nominated for awards by their lecturers and peers who then attend an evening that celebrates their accomplishments.

Katie Wilkinson and Olivia Brown (pictured above with Weston College’s Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips CBE) attended the evening. Both learners began their journey with Weston College on Further Education courses and have since progressed onto degree courses at UCW.

Olivia, who currently studies a degree in Business with Management commented: “It was a natural progression from the Level 3 BTEC course onto my degree. Throughout my time at Weston College the amount of support available and acknowledgement of success shows that they want us to do our best and be out best.

“The UCW awards was a great night, recognising and celebrating the hard work both staff and students put in. I think Weston do really well at motivating students by sharing their success.

“My next step is to progress onto the BA Honours programme and then follow a career which focuses on business sustainability.”

Katie continued: “I started studying A Levels at Weston College Sixth Form and then progressed onto FDA Business with Management. It felt great to be recognised alongside like-minded people and it’s been amazing to look back on my journey at Weston College and remember what I’ve achieved in that time.”

“After finishing my foundation year I hope to progress onto the BA Honours Business Management to advance my knowledge. Beyond this I would like to either start in graduate role in human resources or study a postgraduate diploma in education to teach business.”

Chris Carter, Vice Chair of the Governors Body, commented: “It was a delight to be part of this event and share in our learner’s successes. Showcasing the superb successes of our learners not only benefits them by recognising their achievement but also gives the wider community an insight into the great work being done by the dedicated staff at Weston College who continually raise the bar within the F.E.sector.

The total college income in England has fallen by £1 billion since the start of the decade and now totals £6.5 billion. As a result of this we are actively supporting the ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign from the Association of Colleges. This involves working together with other providers of FE to raise awareness about the importance of funding and benefits it can give back to learners and communities. The ability to continue to provide outstanding education relies on government funding therefore it is imperative that we give this campaign our full backing to enhance learning for future generations in a time where resources continue to diminish.

Jodie Goodman, winner of the Business, Enterprise and Services Faculty Student of the Year award with Chris Carter, Vice Chair of the Governors Body.

Lead Governor for Sustainability, Gemma Day, with Grace Fox who was given the Principal Gold Award for Student Success of the Year.

Looking for a way to increase your employability?

Employers often ask for you to give examples of where you’ve overcome challenges or when you’ve shown specific skills such as leadership, communication and showing initiative. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is the perfect chance for you to enhance your CV gain those skills and experiences.

Available to all students, this free enrichment activity incorporates elements from the RAF, Army, Navy and Royal Marines. With no previous experience required, Cadets take part in regular drill exercises, practical survival activities as well as specialist skills such as shooting, flying and more.

As well as increasing your confidence and skills, this programme serves as a brilliant platform for anyone who is interested in pursuing a career within the armed forces.

Contingent Commander and Science Lecturer Rob Heaton said: “Through unique and fun learning opportunities the CCF provides valuable life skills which are vital for further study or employment.

"From leadership through the NCO scheme, to self-reliance during Duke of Edinburgh the Cadet force provides learners with an amazing opportunity to gain new life experiences.”

A previous cadet added “I’ve made new friends, learnt new skills and discovered how I can improve myself as a person and I can’t wait to continue my journey.”

CCF meetings take place every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm – 4pm during term time only.

All uniform and activities are completely free.

A moody seascape has earned a Weston College student two coveted awards in a national photographic competition.

Ed French, 16, entered the National Historic Ships Photography Competition with a picture he took by Marine Lake, Weston, and was presented with the awards at a ceremony on board HMS Belfast in London.

Ed, of Devonshire Road, Weston, scooped the First Prize in his category, ‘Young Photographer Historic Ship or Seascape’, and was overall winner of the competition’s ‘Young Photographer UK’ class.

He was handed his awards by BBC TV presenter Julia Bradbury following a celebration lunch aboard the historic warship.

Now studying a Level Three BTEC Extended Diploma in Photography at Weston College, Ed was a pupil of Broadoak School when the photo was taken. On the day he took it the rain had cleared, leaving a cloudy sky. Ed cycled down to the Marine Lake, by Knightstone Island, and took the picture with a compact digital camera.

He said: “I was very surprised and delighted to win the awards. Mine was the last category to be announced so it was a very tense wait.”

Ed won a £400 digital camera for Broadoak School and a group visit to the SS Great Britain ship in Bristol.

Weston College Photography lecturer Jamie Dormer-Durling said: “I am really pleased for Ed’s success. We like to encourage our students to enter photography competitions; it’s highly motivational and gives a great boost to their confidence. Ed is thinking of continuing to the FdA Photography Course at Weston College where I’m sure he will continue to flourish as a photographer.”

Weston College is to open officially its bespoke £2.5 million engineering training centre with a ceremony attended by leading local and national businesses.

The College has invested £1.5 million in machinery and equipment and £1 million in building works at its South West Skills Campus, which now offers a full engineering and manufacturing curriculum.

Among those attending the launch event on November 2 will be representatives from major companies including Serco (one of the largest employers in the country), GKN (whose apprentices are currently undergoing training at the College), Thatchers, Midas and SKF Clevedon.

Dr Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “Weston College is committed to helping businesses in the engineering, aerospace and manufacturing sectors grow and develop the talent of the future by supporting the development of a highly skilled, innovative and valuable workforce.

“To achieve this aim, the College has invested in facilities including bespoke engineering and advanced technology workshops, composite manufacturing workshops, 3D printing suites and classrooms, IT suites and learning spaces.”

The new facilities have enabled the College, which has been rating ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, to expand its engineering courses. It now offers qualifications in a wide range of engineering skills including mechanical, fabrication and welding, aeronautical, manufacturing, digital technologies and maintenance.

The College has also become one of the first in the UK to offer a new Trailblazer Apprenticeship for the aerospace industry, and is one of the few colleges in the country to offer an apprenticeship pathway in advanced composites.

Andy Davidson, Weston College’s Executive Director of Professional and Technical Curriculum, said that engineering graduates can expect to earn 20% more per year than graduates from most other subjects and it is expected that there will be 1.86 million jobs in the sector available over the next five years.

“Engineering is an incredibly important part of both the local and national economy, and is responsible for £280 billion of the country’s gross added value.

“It’s a fast growing industry in the UK and there is an enormous amount of demand for qualified engineers. Weston College’s brand-new facilities will enable us to provide students with training on the most current and up-to-date machines, and properly prepare them for jobs in the engineering industry.”

The College - which was named ‘College of the Year’ and ‘Overall FE Provider of the Year’ at the national TES Awards – has installed cutting-edge technology including fully equipped machining workshops, materials labs, hydraulics and pneumatics labs, PLC and control systems labs, electronics workshop, CAD suites, composites workshops, 3D printing facilities and maintenance and fabrication workshops.

Many of these facilities will be demonstrated during a tour that will take place as part of the launch of the new £2.5 million engineering workshops, in addition to presentations that will be made by representatives from the University of the West of England.

A former Weston College student is to become one of the youngest people in the country to be awarded a doctorate, after her work with local charity Integrate Bristol successfully raised the awareness of Muslim women’s rights issues.

Fahma Mohamed, 19, who studied Access to Higher Education at Weston College, is to be awarded an honorary Doctorate in Laws by the University of Bristol on Friday (15th July).

She gained prominence after her successful campaign to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) gained the attention of the former Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.

The petition led to training to help teachers, doctors and social workers identify and assist girls at risk of FGM.

Sarah McLaughlin, Lecturer and Study Skills Tutor for Access to HE, congratulated her by saying: “We are extremely proud of Fahma and are delighted that her dedication to raise awareness of such an important issue has been recognised.

“She has worked diligently to achieve her Access to Higher Education diploma and her commitment to her charity work prior to and during her studies, is commendable.”

Access to Higher Education is a course designed to give adult learners the qualifications they need to get into university.

Fahma studied the Medical Sciences pathway, successfully completing the course in June this year. She will progress to study Biomedical Science at Kings College London this September.

Weston College has announced a partnership with Uphill Cricket Club which will see the two organisations share facilities and work closely in developing cricketing in the local community.

Weston College’s Academy of Sport will be given access to Uphill Cricket Club and Uphill Football Club, and, in turn, the cricket club will be able to use the indoor sports hall at Weston College Academy on Sunday afternoons.

The Academy of Sport will also support Uphill Cricket Club to recruit junior players in primary and secondary schools, and enable the club to access College courses such as first aid and safeguarding.

Paul Taylor, Sports Development and Performance Manager at Weston College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students and Uphill Cricket Club.

“Uphill is a brilliant community partner. We are both really focused on engaging the wider community and are looking to encourage both male and female players with our programmes as well as those who may never have played.”

Weston College’s Academy of Sport offers aspiring sportsmen and women an opportunity to further develop their potential. It provides students outstanding coaching, training and support both individually and as a team, enabling students on all courses access to sporting activities outside of their academic studies.

You can find out more at www.sportweston.co.uk

Weston College’s Hair and Beauty students have had a busy weekend at a charity event in Weston-super-Mare and an opera production in Bath.

On Saturday, 30 learners from the College’s Hair and Beauty Centre gave up their afternoon and evening to do all hair and makeup at the Weston Hospicecare Strictly Fun Dancing event. They spent a long afternoon at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, doing hair and makeup for 24 contestants at an event that raised £18,000 for the charity. 

Meanwhile, a team of 16 FdA Hair, Beauty and Prosthetics Production students were collaborating with Bath Spa learners. They completed hair and makeup for an opera production of Cosi fan Tutti at the Michael Tippett Centre in Bath. 

The project collaborating with Bath Spa Production learners has been a week long, evening commitment for the College’s FdA learners, who all spent their evenings working on the project. 

Sandra Bull, Area Manager of Hair, Beauty, Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said: “It has been a really busy weekend for our learners and staff, six of whom also gave up their Saturday to support our learners. 

“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment and dedication all of our learners show, whether they are the Hair and Beauty Centre team or our FdA learners. Not only have these events really helped them develop their skills, but they’ve also been given an opportunity to get involved with the community and help a fantastic local charity.”  
 

Selected from thousands of nominations, Weston College’s Charmaine Hale-Lynch and the Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Team are two of just 65 winners who will be celebrated today on 22nd June - ‘Thank A Teacher Day’, as the national Teaching Awards marks its 20th year of celebrating excellence in education.  Celebrations will take place in schools and colleges across England, Wales and Northern Ireland as the prestigious Silver Pearson Teaching Awards trophies are presented to outstanding teachers, teaching assistants, head teachers and lecturers.

The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.

Charmaine and the Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Team will now join fellow Silver Award winners, along with 3 Scottish Education Award winners and 3 winners of the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru, at the 20th UK Ceremony of the Pearson Teaching Awards, a glittering ceremony held in central London on 21st October.  There they will find out which of them has won one of just 12 Gold Plato Awards, the UK’s “Oscars for Teachers”.

Charmaine Hale-Lynch, winner of the Silver ‘FE Lecturer of the Year’ Teaching Award said: “I feel very honoured to receive such an award and overwhelmed by the support from the staff and everyone who took part in the process and helped in this achievement”. 

Also collecting their award for Silver ‘FE Team of the Year’ Teaching Award, Benjamin Cocks and Mandy Lee of the Student Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Team said this of their award: “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award which recognises the hard work and dedication of our team. We’re extremely grateful to have such wonderful learners, who provide the inspiration for everything that we do”. 

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Weston College Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, has commended the consistently high standard of teaching and support staff at Weston College.

He said: “This award shows Weston College staff always go above and beyond for the wellbeing of our learners. They work incredibly hard to support every learner across the College and make sure they are achieving the very best they can. 

“We are proud to be one of the top performing colleges in the country, and our continued successes are a promise that all existing and future learners will get the very best standard of education at Weston College.”

The October ceremony, titled “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”, will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC as a showcase of excellence in education.  Previous award presenters have included former prime ministers David Cameron and Tony Blair, acting legends Jenny Agutter, Alison Steadman and Sheila Hancock and sports and TV personalities including Shirley Ballas, Helen Glover, Brendan Cole and Nadiya Hussain.   

On this special, celebratory day, the Teaching Awards is encouraging members of the public to say “thank you” to a teacher who has made a difference in their lives.  Simply go to http://www.teachingawards.com/card, fill in a form online including a personal message and the teacher will receive a Thank You card in the post for free. 

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The best we can do is to pass on to children all that we know and love and mean every word. I think above all else, a teacher should be a friend, and that’s not an easy thing to do when there are 35 children out there. With these awards we are shining a light on these inspirational individuals whose efforts and commitment so often go uncelebrated.”

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: "A huge congratulations to all those receiving a silver trophy today.  They should feel extremely proud of their achievements and join an inspirational group of Teaching Award winners from the past two decades.  It’s an honour for Pearson to support these Awards each year - it’s so vital to recognise and celebrate those in the teaching profession, for their commitment to education and for the impact they have on young people's lives.“

The list of winners will be published on the Teaching Awards website at 5pm on Friday 22nd June.