News and events

Four talented Applied Computing degree students have scooped high-flying jobs even before they have graduated.

Two of the BSc (Hons) students have invented life-changing apps, including one that reminds patients about physiotherapy exercises between treatments and another which translates sign language.

Student Daniel Fay, 21 of Weston, had already scooped the Principal’s Scholarship at the College’s Celebration of Success in January, for his hard work.

Daniel worked with Weston College’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Co-ordinator, Emm Sharpe, on an app designed to improve communications in the workplace for people with disabilities.

Now he’s been invited to team up with Southampton University staff on a research project that will see the computing specialist work towards a PhD.

Daniel said: "It was great to get a job before I graduated. My PhD will be based on modelling command teams in various domains from a sociotechnical aspect, and analysing how improvements could be made, to better facilitate objectives.”

One of only three women on the 37-student Applied Computing course is 22-year-old Emily Thorpe of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

Having worked part-time for Bath-based communications technology company Gradwell during her course, she is now working for them full-time as a software engineer.

Tom Osborne, 21 of Weston, is now working as a developer in London for PEX, an award-winning supplier of consultancy and software solutions for property companies and accommodation providers.

Alex Jones, 21 of Weston, created an innovative and bespoke physiotherapy aid after identifying the need for an app when carrying out work experience at Weston-based Cowan House.

Now at software development company, TouMetis, Alex said: “It’s been a great experience and I have learnt so much. I’m working on an app for central control systems in houses for things such as lighting, heating and cameras.”

Computing Curriculum Co-ordinator Janice Castle, who spent many years working in the IT industry, said: “It’s fantastic to find good jobs before they finish their degrees.

“Our courses are vocational with work-based elements providing a range of technical and team-working skills to improve employability.

 “These exceptional students have got jobs several months before graduating and worked part-time until the course finished; their employers were more than happy to wait for them!”

Weston College recently celebrated becoming a Further AND Higher Education establishment following a successful bid to the Government.

The new status means it will be able to expand its degree provision significantly, leading to many more new jobs for the town and surrounding area.

Weston College has been described as a ‘true beacon’ for colleges nationwide when it was presented two awards from the Association of Colleges (AoC).

The College has been handed two national Beacon Awards by the AoC; the UCAS Progress Award for Careers Education and Guidance and the Council for Learning Resources in Colleges Award for the Effective Integration of Libraries/Learning Resources Centres in Curriculum Delivery.

The awards recognise the hard work of the College’s ASPECT (Advice, School, Progression, Employability, Careers, Transition) team and its LibraryPlus team.

The AoC Beacon Award Local Presentation Ceremony was held at the College’s Conference and Events Centre, in Knightstone Road, on Tuesday 4th May.

The ceremony formally announced the two achievements and consisted of networking and a lunch followed by presentations and prize-giving.

Local businesses and dignitaries, including Weston-super-Mare’s Mayor Cllr Raymond Armstrong and Mayoress Joan Dunne, attended the ceremony. 

Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, Dr Paul Phillips OBE, said: “It’s tremendous, the work which goes on at Weston College. These two teams have shown a real entrepreneurial flair and have ensured the learner has come first.

“Thank you to all of the guests who attended the ceremony, your support demonstrates the importance of collaboration and partnership in a true sense – we are all working together to ensure learners succeed.”

Ian Monroe, South West Regional Director of the AoC and Jon Graystone, representing the AoC’s steering group which judged the awards, attended the ceremony to present the two awards.

Mr Graystone said: “I am delighted to recognise and celebrate these achievements. We received 140 nominations and the quality of the two from Weston College was clear and the reason that they won.

“The judging process is rigorous, it involves all nomination being made anonymous, and so judges are unaware which colleges they come from.

“Weston College is a true beacon for Colleges in the UK.” 

From September 2017, the way A Levels are taught and assessed is changing. Here at Weston College we want to make these changes as simple as possible for you to understand, so if you’re thinking about taking A Levels next year, read on...

No more AS Levels

A Levels will now be linear, two-year courses, which means you can no longer get an AS Level after one year. To get an A Level qualification, you must study for the full two years.

Less coursework

Coursework has been removed altogether from courses where it’s not necessary and  reduced to 20% of the final mark in exceptional cases. For science subjects, assessment of practical work no longer contributes to the final A Level grade but will earn a separate certificate of endorsement.

What about exams?

Exams will now be a final assessment at the end of the two-year course. This means that re-takes can’t be guaranteed as students will now have to re-sit as external students. Any re-takes are also likely to incur fees from the exam boards.

We can help

These changes mean that when it comes to choosing the A Level provider you want to study with, you’ll need to make sure that the teaching and support on offer is suitable for your learning style. At the Sixth Form at Weston College, 99% of our students pass their A Levels and we have a wide range of services you can use to gain the support you need.

We offer more A Level variety than your local school to make sure you’re on a course that you want to study and are able to complete. Plus, most of our lectures come from successful careers in the subject they teach about and can offer a lot of guidance when it comes to applying for jobs or planning your next educational steps.

We’re always on hand to offer advice, and if you need more information or would like to talk to a member of our team about the changes you can fill in the enquiry form below or call us on 01934 411 411.