News and events

Weston College students will be at the forefront of the brand new Digital T Level qualification, which will be launched in September 2020.

T Levels are central to the Government’s plans to improve technical and vocational education. With content designed by employers, these new 2-year, post-GCSE courses aim to deliver a pipeline of skilled young people to help businesses thrive.

The T Level qualification is a highly technical alternative to A Levels, and is part of the Government’s commitment to giving people access to high-quality training opportunities.

T Levels will combine classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement – of at least 315 hours, or approximately 45 days – where students will build the knowledge and skills they need in a workplace environment.

Damian Hinds, Education Secretary, said: “Everyone agrees that a radical shake-up of technical and vocational education in this country is long overdue. T Levels are our chance to do that – offering young people high-quality alternatives to our world-class A Levels from September 2020.”

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “T Levels have been described as the biggest overhaul in post-school education for 70 years.

“For Weston College to be at the forefront of this revolution is an honour and an exciting challenge. We’ve built a national reputation for the quality of our teaching and helping to launch this pioneering programme only enhances that standing.

“From September 2020 we will be offering a Digital T Level and this represents a tremendous opportunity for school leavers in Weston-super-Mare, Bristol and beyond.

“T levels are shaped by employers and benefit from the unique insights of industry leaders. This means learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market.”

If you or your child is interested in studying a Digital T Level from September 2020 please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch to let you know how.

Across the haunting season of Halloween, learners have been busy striking fear in the hearts of anyone who dared to enter Puxton Park's Phobia Event. 

Learners from our Performing Arts department put their impressive skills into practice by frightening visitors as they made their way round Puxton's spectacular spooky sets. As if they weren't scary enough already, actors were dressed head to toe in horrifying hair and make-up with incredible costumes to match.

The flawless hair and make-up was all thanks to learners from Hair and Make-up for Fashion and Media and Hair, Make-up and Special Effects for Film and Theatre as well as help from University Centre Weston learners from Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics for Production.

Puxton Park Marketing Manager, Grace Harvey, commented “Phobia is an exciting opportunity for all of us here at Puxton Park.

"Not only is this new event allowing us to open our doors to a broader demographic of visitors but it’s also allowing us to work with the extremely talented teams at Weston College.

"We have been so impressed with the exceptionally high level of professionalism and skills that these students possess.

"The passion and enthusiasm that they hold in their respective fields of study, has really shined during our rehearsals and we were so excited to see all of their hard work come to life during the event.”

Thanks also goes to the brilliant work from Public Services for assisting on the night and to the Music department who helped to create an eerie atmosphere with help from performers and sound engineering.

The College is celebrating the end of its first year teaching plumbing and gearing up for a 300 per cent increase in demand for places this September.

So far 12 men and one woman have gained plumbing qualifications at the Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) in Locking Road.

Plumbing lecturer Scott Austin said: “There’s been an enormous growth in demand for the course. Now we are set to put on a Level One course, two Level Twos and a Level Three.

“We’ve also set up school links for older secondary students who want to do more hands-on study. We are delighted with the response regionally.”

Plumber of the year was awarded to 17-year-old Jake Payne of Jubilee Street,  Burnham-on-Sea.

Runner up was awarded to Daniel Rihan, 35, Weston-super-Mare and third was Kieran Rigney, 17 of Weston-super-Mare.

Green technologies are at the forefront of a new £10 million building project at Weston College which is a leading National Skills Environmental Academy Hub.

They include a rainwater harvesting system, wood biomass boiler, solar thermal array, ground source heat pump and solar photovoltaic system.

Part of the programme will also see a £300,000 sustainable detached eco- house built for students and visitors to show how environmental and renewable technology can transform the construction industry.

In 2010, the CECE won a ‘National Training Award’ for the South West of England.

It delivers training in a wide range of construction occupations including, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry, trowel trades, painting, decorating, plastering, property maintenance, renewable energy courses and apprenticeships.

The CECE holds specialist electrical workshops, bespoke brickwork and carpentry workshops and has a resource-based learning centre for online learning.

It is also a test centre for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and health and safety card.

There is a 100 per cent success rate for Level 2 qualifications with around 70 per cent of CECE students finding work in industry while others enhance their DIY skills.