News and events

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!" 

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.

Welcome to the Weston College Careers & Employability Team Monthly Blog!

Dear Parents and Carers,

We’re excited to bring you the latest edition of our Careers & Employability Team Monthly Blog! Each month, we’ll provide updates on events, celebrate successes and how we offer support for all our learners at Weston College. You will also find key dates for upcoming events for you and your young person to get involved in. You can get in touch with the team on cet@weston.ac.uk for all Careers & Employability and T-Level Industry Placement support.

The Careers & Employability Team

February has been a busy and exciting month for our Year 1 T Level Construction, Design, Surveying, and Planning learners as they embark on their industry placements.

Industry Placement Success

Back in October, our learners attended the T Level Industry Placement Construction Employer Engagement Day, where they had the opportunity to hear from industry professionals. Several construction employers visited the college to deliver short, insightful presentations on their companies, explaining what they do and why students should consider completing their T Level placements with them.

Fast forward to February, and we are thrilled to report that 13 out of 17 learners have now secured placements as a direct result of this event! Employers were highly impressed by the professionalism and maturity of our students, with Bowmer & Kirkland commenting that they could hardly believe they were speaking to a group of 16-year-olds, as they themselves were not that mature at that age.

GMI Construction Placements

Among the successful placements, three of our learners secured roles at GMI Construction after impressing the team during their interviews. Initially, GMI planned to take on just one student, but after witnessing their enthusiasm and potential, they decided it was only fair to offer placements to all three.

These students will be working on an exciting project in Bristol’s Temple Meads Quarter—GMI’s first major residential contract in the Southwest of England. The project involves constructing a 447-bed PBSA complex, located just 200 metres from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, making the placement easily accessible.

Beth’s Success with St. Modwen

Another standout success comes from Beth, one of our female learners, who has secured a T Level placement at St. Modwen. After impressing the company during the Employer Engagement Day in October, Beth was invited for a more formal interview, where she successfully secured her placement. Beth is now working on the Locking Mosslands site, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the industry. Her achievement highlights the growing opportunities for women in construction and the impact of our T Level industry partnerships.

Progression: Exploring My Options

Throughout February, the Careers and Employability Team has been delivering "Progression: Exploring My Options" tutorials to help learners plan for the next academic year. As part of this, we encourage students to book one-on-one career sessions for further guidance. This support remains available for your young person—please email cet@weston.ac.uk for more information.

Looking Ahead

Congratulations to all our learners for their hard work and dedication—we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them in the construction industry!

We’re absolutely thrilled to share the incredible journey of Ayesha, a mature learner who has shown resilience, determination, and a true passion for her future. Ayesha applied to study Criminology at the University of the West of England (UWE) after completing her Access to HE in Social Science and returning to education. Last year, she was offered a conditional place, contingent on passing her English exam. Although she didn’t achieve the required result and lost her place, Ayesha wasn’t discouraged.

Instead of giving up, she took it as a challenge and reapplied, committing to retaking her English exam with even more dedication and focus. Her hard work has paid off—Ayesha has now been granted an UNCONDITIONAL offer from UWE!

Ayesha’s perseverance and commitment are truly inspiring. Huge congratulations, Ayesha! We are all cheering you on as you embark on your university journey. Best of luck with your future studies – we know you’ll achieve amazing things!

• National Careers Week- 3rd March- 8th March 2025
• University Centre Weston Open Day- Saturday 8th March 2025
• Open Evening For School Leavers and Adults- Wednesday 12th March 2025 
• Post 18 Parents Information Evening – Wednesday 30th April 2025

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!

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.