News and events

Weston College has joined forces with Heart of Worcestershire College to help the fight for more funding in further education (FE).

Due to the current climate in FE, considering the major changes in scrutiny and funding streams, Principals and Governors from both Colleges decided to meet to share and develop innovative and financially robust strategies to ensure long term sustainability. During the initial meeting the group also discussed how they can support the national ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign.

Love Our Colleges is making the case for extra government funding and fair pay in FE. It also highlights the great work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible.

The campaign is supported by the Association of Colleges and a string of trade unions – as well as individual colleges, students and FE staff.

Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “Our meeting with Heart of Worcestershire College’s Principal and Governors was extremely productive.

“The current funding situation is not sustainable, which is why this campaign is so important. It has gained wide-spread support and national attention through numerous events – but we mustn’t let the momentum slow. Colleges must continue working together and keep ‘knocking on the government’s door’.”

From 2009 to 2019, college funding has been cut by around 30%. This drop in funding has led to:

• Fewer hours of teaching and support for young people
• A reduction in the number of learning opportunities for adults
• The value of staff pay falling by over 25% since 2009
• College teachers earning £7,000 less on average than school teachers.

Stuart Laverick, Principal and Chief Executive of Heart of Worcestershire College, said: “Weston and Heart of Worcestershire have worked hard to invest in buildings and equipment to ensure students and staff have the modern resources needed to support high-quality learning.

“This has come at significant cost with the majority of the funding coming from college reserves that have now been significantly depleted. To maintain and develop the colleges’ estates in the next decade – and realise national productivity ambitions – there will have to more dedicated capital funding from government.”

Colleges are an essential part of England’s education system, educating and training 2.2 million people every year. They transform lives, enable people make the most of their talents and ambitions, and drive social mobility. Furthermore, colleges work closely with local and national businesses, helping them improve productivity and drive economic growth.

Collaboration between colleges is essential for recognising the importance and relevance of FE. The Love Our Colleges campaign helps to raise awareness of the current demands and struggles within the sector, as well as focusing on what needs to be done to allow colleges to continue to grow and provide countless benefits to their communities.

Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group with Stuart Laverick, Principal and Chief Executive of Heart of Worcestershire College.

Governors from Weston College and Heart of Worcestershire College working together.

Have you wondered what it’s like to be a computing student? Meet Jake, an applied computing student.

Jake joined Weston College when he enrolled on the IT Practitioners Diploma, Level 3 course. This course improves your knowledge and practical skills in a range of IT areas including, IT systems, social media in business, data modelling, information management and website development. You find out how computer systems work and learn to utilise different applications. The assignments are based on workplace situations, so you get a real insight to the careers available in IT and what it is like to work in the industry.

Jake then progressed to the Applied Computing FDSc at University Centre Weston (UCW). This popular foundation degree emphasises the practical application of computing principles and development of IT skills.

The course also provides the core knowledge in software design, systems analysis and web technologies required to either progress to further study or gain employment in an it role. It covers:

• Computing applications
• Software design and development
• System analysis and databases
• Web technologies and platforms
• Computing project management
• Digital devices implementation and usability
• Object-orientated software design and development
• Service support tools and techniques
• Work experience.

As part of the work experience module, Jake has been working with the Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster to produce a website and help improve their digital presence. His brief included:

• An interactive website
• The ability to view the rooms
• The ability to place a booking
• An events page
• A section looking at the local area.

Jake said: “It was a great real-life experience. I had to meet with the client to discuss their requirements and then make suggestions as to the best way to achieve their objectives.”

The project took approximately six weeks to complete.

Jake added: “Weston College and UCW have given me the knowledge and skill set to take up a strong career on computing.”

Jake’s next step is the BSc top-up year at UCW. He then plans to find a graduate job in website or software development.

Jake offered this advice for future students of Weston College or UCW:
“Space out your assignments and start them early. There is a great atmosphere amongst the lecturers and students and if you have a question about an assignment it’s always easy to get hold of a lecturer.”

shrubberyhotel.com

We always love to hear about the fantastic accomplishments our alumni achieve.

Art & Design learners were recently visited by ex-students who are now studying arts at prestigious universities.

All three of these ex students studied the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and visited current students to inform them first hand about the benefits of staying on and completing this unique course. Scroll down to read what they had to say!