News and events

Two T Level students have recently had the exciting opportunity to complete their placement with Griffiths Farrans JV, as part of their commitment to support the next generation of talent in construction and civil engineering.

The work placement element of T Levels (which equates to 20% of the duration of the course) gives learners the opportunity to put the theory they have learned in the classroom into practice and gain real-life experience in an industry related to their course.

Ned and Kimberly, who study Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, have been working on an exciting public transport project at Bristol Airport since April, which has involved helping in delivering an enlarged public transport interchange with an enhanced internal road system.

The learners are also working on an additional multi-story car park which includes waiting rooms and rest facilities. These projects are part of Bristol Airport’s multi-million-pound transformational development plan which aims to allow 12 million passengers a year to use the Airport.

Kimberly says that the activities she usually carries out day-to-day at her work placement involve taking levels, marking out points for ground works, and creating surveys. The area that she has found the most interesting has been using modern technology to set out different aspects of the construction of the project such as a total station, magnet field controller and GPS to take levels and to set out on site.

When asked if Kimberly would encourage others to apply to T Levels, she said, “I would definitely recommend T Levels to other students. T Levels give you a more practical insight of the career field you want to go into.”

“Going to placement has really helped me think about my future and has provided a clearer vision of what I may want to do for my future. I am confident that this is the career field I am meant to be in, and I really enjoy it.”

Click here to read more about T Levels available at Weston College: https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-levels

I’m Leslie Warren, a qualified Chartered Surveyor and currently an Asset Manager for a c.£4bn (AuM) UK property portfolio.

Last year when I was searching for a job, I attended the Weston College Takeover Day at the Job Centre, as I wanted to refresh my Microsoft Excel skills. Whilst there I found out about the Pre-employment courses on offer at the college and decided to apply.

The course was really beneficial to me, as I increased my skills in Excel, improved my CV, and I also found out about AI, and how this can be utilised to enhance job applications.

I used the AI elements of the course to create a PowerPoint presentation, which I then used in the interview to get the job I have now.

I enjoyed the course, met some lovely people, enjoyed visiting Weston College and benefited from what I learned there.

The teaching was excellent, the tutor able to disseminate information to a wide demographic with skill, patience, care and kindness shown at all times.

I now work nationally, from home most of the time, but with an office in Bristol and London that I visit weekly as well as completing site visits when required.

The type of tasks I complete include Asset-Evaluations, Options Appraisals (which are Board Reports that request a decision on a recommendation that I create), managing budgets, conducting and commissioning financial analysis, portfolio management and Net-Present-Valuations.

The part that I most enjoy about my job is when I identify an underperforming asset and my recommendation to dispose of it is approved by the board, and I then get the chance to financially prove myself by acquiring capital receipt from open market disposals that more than cover the cost of hiring me.

My time at Weston College brought me up to speed with contemporary norms and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have had the chance to learn.

Leslie.

Special guests and pupils from the nine schools who are Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) trust, gathered for the very first Opening Worlds Curriculum Symposium at Weston College on Tuesday 21st May 2024.

In 2023 ELAN adopted the Opening Worlds curriculum for humanities: geography, history and religious education written and designed by Steve Mastin and Christine Counsell.

To open the evening, thanks to our tech team at Weston College and IT whizz Emma Parkins, Opening World’s writer Steve Mastin beamed in live via video call from Kazakhstan to talk directly with the children.

Following on, children and special guests enjoyed a lovely two-course dinner, catered for by our incredible catering and hospitality learners, providing the learners with an additional opportunity to support their own studies and show off what they can do.

Over dinner, children entertained their table with amazing stories, facts and knowledge about some of their favourite subjects.

The second half of the evening saw an interactive and rather competitive quiz pitting schools and their wisdom against each other – no adult input allowed and absolutely not required.

It was edge-of-the-seat action and very tightly fought with the overall winners Oldmixon Primary School taking the trophy!

Marie Berry, Headteacher at Bourneville Primary School, said: “What an amazing night! To have witnessed the pure joy in the room was an absolute privilege. Definitely a top ELAN moment.

“Thank you to everyone who put so much into making it the great success it was. The children were fantastic, and I think we can certainly say quality teaching is paying off.

“Councillor Gibbons was absolutely blown away by the children’s knowledge and looking around the room I could see similar responses from many of the guests. It’ll be an event I remember always.”

Matthew, a Year 3 student from Locking Primary School, added: “This is the most special evening of my entire life. I liked the quiz. There were so many questions, and we really did try our best! The dessert was delicious too!”

The CEO of ELAN, Adam Matthews, said: “The children’s knowledge, enthusiasm, love of learning and desire to discuss the subjects they had studied (and beyond) made a special evening extraordinary. It will go down as one of my standout moments in education.”

Extend Learning Academies Network is a group of North Somerset primary schools and nurseries situated at Banwell, Bournville, Locking, Oldmixon, Mead Vale, Mendip Green, Milton Park, Walliscote and Windwhistle.