News and events

The Weston College Group is proud to announce that it has been awarded Gold reaccreditation for the nationally recognised Further Education Mental Health Award, achieving an “Excelling” judgement across every area assessed. 

The prestigious award recognises the College’s outstanding commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of both students and staff, embedding wellbeing into every aspect of college life. 

With more than 6,200 learners from a wide range of backgrounds, Weston College has developed a strong and inclusive support system designed to ensure every student feels safe, supported and able to succeed. The College was praised during the independent assessment for its whole-college approach, which includes: 

• A trauma-informed approach to teaching and support, helping students feel understood and valued 
• Dedicated mental health and wellbeing services, including counselling, mentoring and pastoral care 
• A structured system to identify and support students early, ensuring help is available at the right time 
• Innovative approaches such as the Equity in Education model, helping target support for those who need it most 

Students also benefit from a curriculum that actively promotes wellbeing, resilience and personal development, alongside regular awareness events and activities that encourage open conversations about mental health. 

The College works closely with schools, parents, carers and external organisations to provide a joined-up approach to support. Families are kept informed and involved, with access to guidance and support to help them understand and support their young person’s wellbeing. 

A key strength highlighted during the assessment was Weston College’s leadership within the education sector, working collaboratively with regional and national partners to share best practice and improve mental health support across further education. 

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO for the Weston College Group said: 

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved Gold reaccreditation with an ‘Excelling’ judgement across all areas assessed. 

“This recognition reflects the dedication and compassion of our staff, who work tirelessly to ensure every student feels supported, valued and able to thrive. Mental health and wellbeing are central to our culture at Weston College, and we remain committed to creating an environment where both students and staff can flourish.” 

The Further Education Mental Health Award recognises organisations that demonstrate a sustained and embedded commitment to mental health and wellbeing across their communities. 

The award was established by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, part of Leeds Beckett University, and social enterprise Minds Ahead. It aims to strengthen mental health and wellbeing across education settings by supporting organisations to create positive, inclusive and supportive learning environments. 

The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK's education system, improving students’ outcomes and life chances. 

Rachel C. Boyle, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said:  

“The achievement of the Mental Health award is a demonstration of the college's significant commitment to improving children's and staff’s mental health and wellbeing. It is also a commitment to developing practices in school that seek to improve awareness and expertise in creating safe and secure learning environments in which all children can truly fulfil their potential. This award is one that all staff can be truly proud of”. 

Nationally, more than 1400 educational institutions have signed up to take part in the mental health award. 

Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said: “This award shines a light on the excellent work schools and colleges are doing to promote mental health for their community of children, young people and adults. 

“It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Weston College and the many other educational institutions engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”

Earlier this month, our Automotive students were recognised for their outstanding commitment to attendance as part of a two-week attendance incentive organised by the Student Engagement Team.

Students who achieved 100% attendance during the initiative were rewarded with a visit to the Haynes Motor Museum, home to the UK's largest collection of cars and motorcycles. During the trip, they explored a diverse range of historic and modern vehicles, gaining a greater appreciation of the evolution of the automotive industry. To round off the day, students also enjoyed an exciting go-karting experience, putting their driving skills to the test as they competed against their classmates on the track.

Visits such as this provide Automotive students with valuable opportunities to enhance their learning beyond the classroom. By examining vehicles up close, students can explore developments in automotive design, engineering, manufacturing techniques, and vehicle technology, helping to bring classroom theory to life. The museum's extensive collection encourages curiosity and provides real-world context for the knowledge and skills students develop throughout their course, while showcasing the innovation that continues to shape the industry.

The visit also highlighted the importance of regular attendance in achieving academic success. Students who attend consistently are better placed to keep pace with their studies, build their technical knowledge, and fully engage with practical learning opportunities that are essential to developing industry-ready skills. Rewarding excellent attendance through initiatives such as this not only celebrates students' commitment but also reinforces the positive habits that contribute to stronger academic outcomes, increased confidence, and future career success.

Congratulations to all of the students who achieved 100% attendance during the incentive. Their dedication and commitment have been recognised with a memorable experience that celebrates the value of consistently engaging with their studies.

This curriculum trip forms part of the Automotive Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Earlier this month, our Music and Production students hosted a live gig at The Brit Bar in Weston-super-Mare, performing a diverse range of songs throughout the evening and gaining valuable hands-on experience in front of a live audience.

Throughout the night, students performed sets spanning multiple genres, showcasing both their musical talent and individual stage presence. The event featured a solo performance from Scarlett Davidson, as well as duets and band performances from Heron, PVA Glue, and Sub Octave. The evening not only celebrated the creativity and hard work of our students, but also gave them practical insight into what goes into delivering a successful live production.

Performing in established local venues such as The Brit Bar offers students an invaluable opportunity to experience the realities of the music industry in a supportive but professional environment. Live performances help students develop confidence, improve their stage presence, and learn how to engage with different audiences which are essential skills for aspiring musicians and performers.

Events like these also allow students to connect with other local artists, venue staff, and members of the community, helping them build professional networks and establish themselves within the local music scene. Experiencing a real venue environment encourages adaptability, teamwork, and resilience, while also helping students discover their own performance style and artistic identity.

For many students, performing live is a pivotal first step towards future opportunities in music and production. Whether pursuing higher education, gig work, or careers within the entertainment industry, these experiences provide a realistic and inspiring introduction to the demands and rewards of not just performing professionally, but also understanding the effort and planning it takes to organise a successful gig.

Oz Cahill, Music lecturer at Weston College, added, “It’s fantastic to see our students performing at external venues, as experiences like this provide invaluable real-world insight that will help prepare them for future careers in the music industry. Not only does it build their confidence, but it also gives them the opportunity to develop their stage presence and learn how to connect with a live audience.”

“We encourage our students to take part in as many enriching opportunities as possible, helping them gain experience, build professional networks, and establish themselves within the local music scene. A huge thank you to The Brit Bar for providing our students with this incredible opportunity and for continuing to support and nurture the next generation of the music industry.” 

Well done to all the students who performed and we look forward to seeing where you go next!

This performance forms part of the Music and Production Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Photos credited to Photography student, Louis Havinden.