News and events

Weston College’s highly anticipated Creative Arts Summer Showcase opened in spectacular fashion on Tuesday 11th June at Loxton Campus.

Family, friends and members of the public attended an evening of celebration at Loxton Campus as learners from Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) showcased their incredible art forms.

The exhibition included diverse pieces of work by learners studying art and design, photography and graphic design courses; degrees and the College’s pre-degree UAL Foundation Diploma.

The opening night was electric. Every room hosted a variety of work which inspired conversations surrounding the themes and the learners’ abilities. Performances by music learners and an interactive photo booth also added to ambience.

Many of the displays were comprised of learners’ final course projects, which involved months of effort and contributed to their final grade. A section of the exhibition was also filled with impressive works of art created by learners who are studying College art courses whilst serving sentences in prison. Click here to read more about our Prison Education programme. 

Chair of the College Corporation, Andrew Leighton-Price, attended the opening night. He said: “The Summer Showcase was absolutely amazing. There were so many innovative works of art, with so many mediums used, from paint, sculpting, to digital, to on line film and gaming.

“The learners I met at the show gave me a fantastic insight and it was clear that there is a huge wealth of talent and passion that goes into the work here at Loxton Campus.

“It was clear that the learners and staff had collaborated to make this a truly memorable event, using the extensive resources available. I’d like to congratulate everyone that contributed to this impressive showcase”

John O’Connell, the College’s Head of Creative Arts, said: “It was a wonderful evening. It was very well attended and such a joy to see all the hard work of both our students and staff come together to produce a body of work with conceptual depth and visual appeal across a diverse range of subjects.”

The Summer Showcase is open to the public at our Loxton Campus on weekdays (10am – 4pm) and Saturday 15th June (10am – 2pm), until Thursday 20th June.

Summer Showcase forms part of the Creative Arts Summer Festival which provides our students with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents each year. As well as the recent production arts runway and film screening showcase, there is still a variety of shows still to come as part of the festival. Click here to see details of the other events taking place throughout June.

During the first week of induction, our English and Maths team were busy putting together creative challenges for GCSE and Functional Skills English and Maths Learners to take part in.

At our South West Skills Campus, learners took part in ‘English is Everywhere’. This engaging workshop involved multiple activities such as inserting correct punctuation into jokes and seeing who can build the tallest towers by answering revision questions.

Furthermore, at our Loxton Campus, learners put their heads together to complete teambuilding activities such as English revision Jenga and a penalty shoot-out in our Health and Active Living Skills Centre sports hall where one correct answer = one shot at the goal.

Similarly, maths skills were also put to the test. Learners were tasked with creating questions for their fellow students from a 3D exhibition! Real life scenarios e.g. Glastonbury Festival and FIFA were used in order to inspire an interest in maths and utilise their maths skills to relatable situations.

The aim of this was to positively reinforce English and maths skills outside of the classroom in a wider context. By using an alternative approach, learners become more relaxed and engaged with the work at hand, thus making it more engaging and fun to learn. Moreover it was an opportunity for vocational staff and the English and maths team to work together collaboratively and demonstrate to learners the seamless and integrated relationship.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group visited the sessions. He commented: “The passion and enthusiasm that our staff put into their work never ceases to impress me. At Weston College the learners come first and adapting our teaching to their needs is just one of the ways we go above and beyond to inspire them.

“Some of these learners might have previously had negative experiences with these core subjects, therefore it’s essential that we give them a fresh start, capture their interest and continue to support them to achieve success with their maths and English GCSEs.”

This type of work is an example of why last year, Weston College was named among the first 21 colleges to establish a maths centre of excellence.

The new centres were announced in response to Sir Adrian Smith’s review of post-16 maths education, which recommended improving basic maths for people over 16.

The chosen colleges, which will share £40 million of funding over five years, are spread across the country. Weston College is one of only two centres in the South West.

As well as improving the quality of basic maths provision for low-attaining young people over 16, the new centres will design new teaching approaches, develop high-quality resources, build teachers’ skills and spread best practice.

WESTON College has started work on a £1 million development  that will provide state-of-the- art facilities for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The two-part scheme at Knightstone Campus, to finish in September, includes a dedicated workshop for a range of courses including motor vehicles, painting, decorating, carpentry and bicycle maintenance. 

The second phase will create a dedicated sensory learning base for students with profound and complex learning disabilities (PCLD) and includes specialist classrooms, independent kitchen-dining area and sensory room – the first of its kind in the region.

LInda Burlison, Assistant Principal (Systems and Resources) said: “This is the first time we have been able to totally adapt facilities for PCLD students and it’s wonderful they can now come here rather than have to go out of district.”

Strategic Lead Inclusive Practice, Ben McConkey, added: “The development demonstrates the College’s commitment to partnership working with the local authority, schools and special schools.

“The key element is about involving learners and their circles of support at all stages in planning, managing and shaping their provision from their first point of contact with us.

“We are committed to enhancing our outstanding provision through supporting outcomes that are appropriate for each individual learner.”                                                                                        

Student Matthew Barrett, 18, of Worle, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Matthew will be joining the Preparation for Work and Life programme at the new centre and said: “I was hooked from my taster days at the College. I have already learnt so much here, I love the College.”

His dad, Garry added: “I’d heard of the College’s great reputation and excellent facilities. Without this specialist facility Matthew would have to go to residential college when he wanted to live at home and study locally.”

In 1981 there were just eight enrolments who required additional learning support - now there are 980 Further Education students and 57 Higher Education students receiving various levels of learning support at the College.

All students with additional needs have access to individualised support programmes from a number of specialist support teams including students on the Autism Spectrum, students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and students with: Specific Learning Difficulties; ADHD/ADD; Visual Impairments and Complex Learning Disabilities.

Weston College also has a unique facility for people with autism – a 10-bedroom hotel – which is the first of its kind in the UK.

Weston Bay Hotel specialises in support for learners on the Autism Spectrum helping them to access and progress to higher education, independent living and employment.

The resource teaches students to understand and manage their learning difficulties as well as promoting independent living and improved career opportunities.

Weston College is the only centre in the UK which offers their support staff a career structure involving specialism to graduate level.

In 2014 OFSTED graded Weston College ‘Outstanding’.

In addition the Special Education Needs and Review Team stated: ‘The College Support for learning is outstanding; support workers are highly experienced and often very well qualified, with specific areas of expertise such as behaviour management or visual impairment. Links to specialist provision and support agencies are very strong.’