We are thrilled to announce that today our Health and Sport department hosted of the 'Biggest Ever Football Session' for Year 4/5 girls in celebration of International Women's Day, March 8th. The event was proudly supported by our talented female BTEC Sport students and Football Academy players. 

In collaboration with the North Somerset Schools PE Association (NSSPEA), this tournament aimed to celebrate girls' football by providing a unique opportunity for local primary school girls to actively participate in the sport. Throughout the morning, our female sport learners lead various activities and refereed matches, adding an extra layer of mentorship and guidance to the participants. 

Georgia, our Female Academy Head Coach, expresses the importance of this event, stating, "The aim of the tournament was to celebrate women and girls’ football by providing an opportunity for local primary schoolgirls to play the sport and showcase that football is accessible to them. Following the success of the Senior England Women’s Football team over the last few years, it is important that we continue to build on the legacy that was created by our Lionesses in 2022 through winning a home European Championship and provide opportunities for young girls to take up the sport." 

"International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate women in sport and their achievements. It’s a chance to educate and raise awareness about the bias, stereotypes, challenges, and discrimination that women in sport have experienced and how we can celebrate difference as well as how we can drive inclusion and equality in sport. 

As Georgia emphasises, " For the younger generation, International Women’s Day can highlight sporting heroes, whether that be athletes, coaches, officials, or other inspirational figures that they can look up to. The day can help inspire positive change for young women and girls in sport and hopefully move us closer to an industry that is equal for all". 

Thank you to our health and sport learners and staff for an incredible tournament, happy International Women's Day!

For those interested in exploring Sport and Fitness courses at Weston College, please visit Sport and Fitness | Weston College 

Weston College's Automotive Careers Excellence Hub recently hosted Block Automotive for an engaging workshop. Lee Trussler showcased a cutting-edge Hydrogen Fuel Cell Training vehicle, inspiring both staff and students alike.

Lee showcased their innovative Hydrogen Fuel Cell Training vehicle, modeled after the renowned Toyota Mirai. This demonstration not only provided an invaluable learning experience for Automotive and Engineering staff but also offered an exciting glimpse into essential green technology for learners.

Block Automotive has over 40 years of manufacturing experience and is the market leader in innovation and design providing automotive, HGV, and agricultural vocational training equipment.

The collaboration between Weston College and Block Automotive highlights a commitment to staying at the forefront of automotive education and sustainable technology. By introducing this cutting-edge training vehicle, Weston College aims to equip its staff and students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.

This demonstration not only served as a professional development opportunity for staff but also provided learners with firsthand exposure to eco-friendly automotive technologies. As the world shifts towards greener solutions, Weston College remains committed to preparing its students for the future of the automotive industry.

Chris Priest the Subject Area Manager for Automotive at Weston College, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Welcoming Lee Trussler and the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Training vehicle to Weston College is an exciting milestone for our Automotive Department. This demonstration aligns with our mission to provide cutting-edge education that prepares our students for success in a rapidly changing world."

Justin Lavery, Finance Director at Block Automotive, added: "Lee Trussler, National Sales Manager for Block Automotive Limited travelled to Weston College last week to provide a full demonstrate our new Hydrogen trainer to Weston College. "Weston College’s team made Lee feel very welcome, the level interest and excitement was marvellous. The demonstration allowed learners to inspect the training rig exacting parallels between education and Industry through the provision of cutting edge education in the Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle space. "We are very grateful to be working with Weston College and are excited to be contributing to the further evolution of their Automotive Department. Our thanks to Chris Priest, Ross Hawkins and their TEAM for hosting us at their amazing premises in Weston-Super-Mare."  

This workshop forms part of the Automotive 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.

To see more about our Automotive courses, click here.

Weston College learners from Weston Bay, have embarked on a heartening journey of social enterprise aimed at supporting the homeless community in Weston-super-Mare.

Last week (28th February), during a social enterprise session, learners visited Somewhere to Go, who provide day and night support to rough sleepers and disadvantaged vulnerable adults, to donate minestrone, potato and leek soup, to 35 individuals.

The initiative underscores the essence of social responsibility and community engagement. Through meticulous planning, budgeting, and shopping, the learners have honed their independent living and employability skills. Moreover, their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in making this charitable event a reality.

Central to their endeavours are two pioneering projects: Soup of the Week and Students Snack Shop. These ventures are meticulously designed with the sole purpose of extending support to the homeless population. Through these initiatives, the learners have committed themselves to providing essential sustenance, embodying the spirit of empathy and altruism.

Armanda Costa, Autism Specialist Practitioner in Employment, at Weston College, said: “Our learners have shown remarkable dedication and compassion throughout this project, and they are so pleased to be able to offer a helping hand to those in the community that need it most.

“Beyond the donation of soup, this project showcases the transformative power of education and community engagement. It underscores the invaluable lessons learned through real-world experiences, instilling empathy, and compassion in the hearts of these learners.

“A big thank you to all of our learners who have done an amazing job throughout the project – our learners continue to inspire us daily.”

Noreen Nolan-Kendrew, Learning Support at Weston College, added: "Lisa and the team were overwhelmed with the amount of soup in which they received. The learners spoke about how they've researched online costs to then access the community, to purchase the ingredients needed. Over two to three weeks, they prepared and made batches of soup. Everyone was pleased and happy to see how this project had such a positive impact on vulnerable individuals, within our community. Learners and staff are now planning and looking forward to their next project - Autism Awareness!" 

For over 30 years, Paul French has been an integral part of the Weston College community, contributing his passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication to the success of both students and colleagues alike. We wanted to take a moment to reflect on his remarkable journey and the invaluable impact he has made.

Career journey: Paul's journey at Weston College began as a Photography and Print Technician, but his versatility has seen him transition into his current role as a Creative Arts Lecturer and Personal Tutor, embracing the diverse opportunities the College has offered him over the years.

Dedication and love for the job: What has kept Paul rooted at Weston College for so long? Paul tells us he thrives on the immense diversity of his role, the camaraderie with his colleagues, and the sheer inspiration drawn from the students who continually surprise and delight him. Despite the challenges, Paul finds every day to be a new adventure, never lacking in excitement.

Paul’s memorable moments: From daring abseiling stunts to unforgettable classroom antics, Paul's journey has been filled with memorable experiences. However, he told us his greatest source of pride lies in witnessing the success of Weston College's learners as they embark on their own journeys to greatness.

The culture: Paul describes Weston College as a place where a community is built on a shared belief in the success and well-being of others. Having experienced the College as a student himself, Paul is deeply influenced by the supportive culture that encourages both personal and professional growth.

A student-centric approach: At the heart of Paul's enjoyment lies the students, who are the driving force behind everything Weston College does. Their presence infuses purpose and meaning into Paul's work, making each day a rewarding experience filled with valuable lessons. 

What sets Weston College apart: For Paul it’s beyond its scenic coastal location, Weston College stands out for its culture of collaboration and support among staff members. Paul highlights the willingness of colleagues to go above and beyond to ensure student success, fostering an environment of continuous growth and development.

Paul’s words of wisdom: Reflecting on his journey, Paul offers invaluable advice to any new staff considering joining the College: expect the unexpected, embrace lifelong learning, maintain a sense of humour and patience, seek support during challenging times, and above all, approach teaching with the utmost care and dedication.

As we celebrate Paul's long-term service at Weston College, we extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment to excellence, his passion for education, and his profound impact on the lives of students and colleagues alike. Here's to many more years of inspiration and success Paul!

As part of ‘Love our Colleges Week’, Weston College as the lead partner for the West of England Institute of Technology, showcased its state-of-the-art ‘Networking and Cyber’ Lab on Friday, allowing learners to practice networking, and to finesse their skills within cloud computing and virtualisation. The impressive hands-on digital facility, is based within the College’s University Centre Weston campus, (which was awarded TEF Gold status in 2023, placing it within the top 20% of degree provision in the UK - one of only six colleges nationally to achieve the status).

In line with industry, the Lab is Cyber Essentials Plus accredited, with its own independent line which has created an isolated network environment. Twenty four learners work within the Lab at any one time, and the development of this industry led space has enabled a highly immersive Networking and Cyber pathway for the College’s hugely successful Digital and Technology Solutions (DaTS) degree apprenticeship programme.

Employer partners who utilise the DaTS apprenticeship to boost their workforce pipelines include Airbus, the Ministry of Defence, MBDA, Babcock, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, EDF Energy, Synoptix, L3Harris, National Grid, and QinetiQ. The WEIoT will also be partnering with Boeing to deliver their future DaTS programmes - a solution to their workforce development requirements, ultimately boosting the pipeline of people working in science and technology jobs.

Seeing the Networking and Cyber’ Lab for the first time was Weston’s MP John Penrose, who added "It’s great to see how Weston College and its University Centre have developed such an impressive technology and digital facility, using Government funding from the West of England Institute of Technology. It’s the latest example of Weston College improving local skills so employers want to set up shop here, and students have a great choice of high-skill, high-paying careers too". 

On Thursday 29th February, Weston College celebrated the incredible achievements of over 40 students at its annual Celebration of Success event. The event hosted at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, recognised the dedication and outstanding achievements of students from all ages and disciplines. 

The students were nominated by college staff and winners were selected by the College's Principal and Assistant Principals.  

Weston College teaches over 30,000 students a year across all levels from school leavers and a diverse range of courses for adults to re-train and upskill. 

As part of the evening, guests were treated to a delicious 3 course meal, made by the College’s Hospitality and Catering students as well as performances from University Centre Weston’s (UCW) BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students. 

With the prestigious ceremony underway, one-by-one, the winning students were announced and took to the stage with a resounding applause from family, friends, and special guests. They were presented with their award by Chair of Governors, Andrew Leighton-Price. 

With thanks to our sponsors Honeyfield Property Services, DPL Partnership, CJ Hole, Mindful Education, Pace Agency, Image Sign, Skylight Property and Uncle Paul’s Chilli Farm. 

As the main event sponsor Honeyfield Property Services’ Director, Jon Patch presented certificates to our Principal Gold Award Winners for Under 19 and Adult Student of the Year, to Baylee Burrows and Bosang Humphrey. 

Access to HE Student of the Year and Adult Student of the Year, Bosang Humphrey commented: 

"Winning this award is like a motivation, life is full of challenges and when you put in that effort and your effort is recognised, that's like a stepping stone and you realise yes I can do this. Just think about if somebody else can do it, then I can also do it. When you change one life, many lives are changed as a result, so I really appreciate this award” 

The evening continued with several awards to recognise the teams of Business learners that took part in the Weston Hospicecare Business Enterprise Challenge.  

This challenge saw local business mentors advising and investing in the young entrepreneurs to set up their own business ventures and to generate profits that were donated to Weston Hospicecare. The College presented Weston Hospicecare with a cheque for an amazing £ 6771.75, all of which was raised by the learners during this incredible challenge. 

As well as recognising students, six members of staff also picked up an award for their exceptional service through the Tony Suner and Heather Wood Memorial Awards. The recipients of these awards have collectively dedicated over 180 years of service to the College, embodying the spirit of commitment and making a lasting difference to the students and their colleagues that they have helped along the way. 

Weston College’s Interim Principal, Jacqui Ford commented:  

“Tonight, we gather to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our learners and the invaluable support they have received along their journey. Out of a cohort of 30,000 learners, reaching this stage is truly an impressive accomplishment.  

“The exceptional talent of our governors and staff, combined with the outstanding abilities of our learners, collectively radiates brilliance. Personally, witnessing the remarkable skills of both learners and staff fills me with immense pride, not only for their individual successes but also for the dynamic spirit of entrepreneurship embodied by every member across our organisation." 

A massive congratulations to all our winners! Take a look at our 2024 winners here 

Weston College and North Somerset Council are proud to announce the arrival of Empower an innovative initiative dedicated to supporting individuals with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, or autism on their journey to meaningful employment. The scheme is being funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. As one of four national Centres for Excellence SEND, Weston College seeks to support employers to create inclusive work environments, supporting diverse recruitment practices to enable people with learning differences to enter the workforce. This new initiative is part of the college's Supported Employment Excellence Hub, a network built to support individuals from 16 – 60 into paid employment.

Both the College and the Council are proud to lead this essential initiative, driving positive change and fostering inclusivity in the workforce. Empower aims to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals facing unique challenges in the workforce. With only 5.7% of people with Learning Difficulties and disabilities in full-time employment, there is a need to support individuals to break down the barriers into work. The funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will play a crucial role in delivering a comprehensive program designed to empower participants and facilitate their successful integration into the job market.

The initiative encompasses an initial assessment and support planning phase, where specific needs, skills, and aspirations are identified. A 'career passport' is created to guide participants on their pathway to paid work, and personalised vocational support plans are developed with achievable outcomes in mind.

Nicola Lace, SEND Operations Manager at the College commented: "We are very pleased to be able to extend our support to adults in the community through the Empower programme, which aims to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals facing unique challenges in the workforce. This initiative will play a crucial role in empowering participants and facilitating their successful integration into the job market."

As part of the programme, participants will undergo skill enhancement and training, which includes guided training, specialised interventions, work experience opportunities, and job coaching tailored to individual support plans. Specialised training will focus on enhancing employability skills, covering interpersonal, vocational, and industry-specific aspects.

Upon securing suitable employment, participants will receive extended support, including job coaching, to ensure a smooth transition into the workplace over 12 months.

The initiative concludes with a comprehensive programme review after 12 months, followed by ongoing follow-ups to track participants' progress and provide additional support if needed.

Individuals interested in joining the Empower initiative can either self-refer or be supported by external organisations, and/or partner agencies. For more information or to express interest, please contact empower@weston.ac.uk

Further details on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and places, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Weston College Automotive students received a generous donation from Avon & Somerset Police this week when they contributed three Vauxhall car engines. The donated engines are set to enhance the hands-on learning experience for our automotive students, providing them with valuable opportunities for skill development and practical application.

As the engines had reached the end of their fleet life, rather than allowing them to go to waste, Avon & Somerset Police decided to donate them to the education of our future automotive professionals.

The hands-on aspect of our Automotive courses is fundamental to developing well-rounded and skilled automotive professionals. With the addition of these engines, students will have a further opportunity to work with real-world equipment, gaining practical knowledge that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. The engines will be integrated into the curriculum, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts to actual engine repairs and maintenance tasks.

A massive thank you goes to Avon & Somerset Police for their thoughtful contribution, which will undoubtedly have an impact on the education and future careers of our Automotive students.

As we celebrate this contribution, we also extend an invitation to other potential donors or supporters who may wish to contribute in similar ways. Whether it be spare parts, equipment, or industry expertise, we welcome partnerships that enrich the educational experience of our students and prepare them for successful careers. For any enquiries regarding donations or partnerships, please contact Louise Greene at louise.greene@weston.ac.uk

For those interested in exploring Automotive courses at Weston College, please visit Motor Vehicle | Weston College

Weston College was proud to welcome the mayor of Weston-super-Mare, councillor Ciarán Cronnelly last week for a talk about democracy and the role of local government.  

Mayor Cronnelly was elected to both North Somerset Council and Weston Town Council in 2019, representing Winterstoke ward. In May of 2023 he was elected mayor. His background before taking up this position was in the charity and volunteering sector, spending his whole career in this area including working for Citizens Advice for a number of years. Mayor Cronnelly said: “This work and volunteering has given me the skills I have now”.  

As a functional role, the mayor is the Chair of Weston Town Council. This means that they make sure that decisions are fair, and that everyone has had their voice heard. People on the council come from a wide range of backgrounds with a diverse range of views, making this incredibly important.  

The mayor also acts as a local and national representative for Weston. Mayor Cronnelly explained to students that he often meets with other mayors in the surrounding area, discussing how the surrounding towns can help each other. He also represents the views of residents by advocating for the Town Council nationally, even visiting Parliament to discuss Weston Town Council.  

The mayor also engages with the police and crime commissioner, as well as carrying out community visits and charity visits. He celebrates the important work that these people and organisations are doing and helps to promote their work to a wider audience. Each mayor chooses a charity for the year with Mayor Cronnelly choosing the Weston Foodbank. He has raised over £7000 since taking office!  

One of the key reasons that the mayor visited Weston College was to discuss democracy with our learners. With a general election approaching this year, the mayor spoke about how important it is to register to vote. Although you can’t vote if you are under eighteen, you can register to vote from sixteen.  

A way Mayor Cronnelly suggested to get involved with democracy at a college level as a student is to get involved with the Student Union. This is a great way to get involved with decisions around college directly and make a difference! The mayor also encouraged students to contact their councillor, or their MP if they have a view on something and tell them this view. “You won’t be heard unless you do get involved.” 

One of the reasons for the visit is to celebrate the AoC Colleges Week 2024. With a general election happening this year, this year’s Colleges Week has a focus on democracy and educating learners about the process and importance of getting involved with government at both a national and local level.  

Mayor Cronnelly was able to give us a strong insight into the workings of local government, as well as informing students on how they can get involved politics and influence change that they want to see from their leaders!  

A huge thanks to the Mayor of Weston, Ciarán Cronnelly for coming in!