News and events

Weston College is delighted to announce the appointment of Jane Hadfield as the College’s new Chair of Governors, effective from 5th November.

Jane succeeds Tim Jackson, who has served as Interim Chair of Governors since the summer of 2024. We are deeply grateful for Tim’s integrity, dedication, and steady leadership during this period, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for his invaluable contribution to the College community.

Jane brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and ambition to her new role. In her professional career, she serves as the National Lead for NHS Apprenticeships and was a member of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Board. Her deep commitment to supporting people through education and skills development perfectly reflects Weston College’s people-centred values.

Earlier this year, Jane was recognised nationally as the national winner of the Special Recognition Award at the Apprenticeship & Training Awards. This honour celebrated her tireless work in transforming apprenticeship pathways across the NHS, creating opportunities that have empowered thousands of individuals to gain new skills, grow in confidence, and progress in their careers. Her leadership has not only raised the profile of apprenticeships but also demonstrated a steadfast belief in the potential of every learner, values that resonate strongly with Weston College’s mission.

Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Jane as our new Chair of Governors. Jane has many connections with Weston College – she has lived in North Somerset for 40 years, her daughter studied here, and through her role within the NHS, she has worked closely with us to deliver cohorts of apprentices.

“Jane’s integrity, compassion, and ambition shine through everything she does. She has a clear passion for supporting our learners and the wider community, and we look forward to working closely with her as we embark on an exciting new chapter in Weston College’s journey towards becoming an extraordinary college.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to our outgoing Chair, Tim Jackson, for his commitment and wise counsel over the past 18 months. It has been a privilege to work alongside him, and on behalf of everyone at Weston College Group, I offer our heartfelt appreciation for his service and support.”

Jane Hadfield, new Chair of Governors at Weston College, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to be taking on the role of Chair of Governors at Weston College. The College plays such an important role in supporting the local community – something I feel deeply passionate about.

“I am particularly looking forward to helping widen participation and improve access to education and training opportunities across our region, enabling people from all backgrounds to thrive and grow.”

A new report has highlighted the incredible impact Weston College has on its learners in 24-25, showing how our unique approach to teaching, employer engagement and personal development is transforming lives and preparing students for bright, successful futures.

The report, which you can read in full here, explores how our curriculum is built around the principles of being Ready to Learn, Ready to Work, and Ready for Life; equipping students with the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed.

Ready to Learn

At Weston College, we believe success starts with a strong foundation for learning.

Our “Ready to Learn” ethos ensures that every student has the skills, behaviours and environment to thrive. Staff set high expectations, supported by exceptional facilities and dedicated teaching, so that all learners can reach their potential from day one.

Positive learning behaviours form part of our College Learning Agreement, encouraging every learner to take ownership of their studies and develop a proactive, motivated mindset.

Ready to Work

One of the standout features of the report is our strong, employer-led curriculum, delivered through the College’s Career Excellence Hubs.

These hubs connect students directly with leading employers, giving them hands-on, real-world experience through industry days, project briefs, work placements and masterclasses.

Our students regularly work alongside organisations such as Puxton Park, Wildstar Films, the Royal Navy, the NHS, the Ministry of Defence, Jet2, Bristol Zoo Project and North Somerset Council plus many more.

These partnerships ensure every learner gains meaningful exposure to industry and develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for — giving them a competitive edge in today’s global job market.

“Employer engagement is at the heart of our commitment to preparing students for the world of work,” the report explains. “It inspires ambition, builds employability skills, and fosters strong links with the workplace.”

Ready for Life

Our vision goes beyond qualifications. We want every student to leave with the confidence, resilience and life skills to thrive in the wider world.

Through our STEPS curriculum and Future Skills Framework, learners develop essential personal and professional skills such as communication, teamwork, resilience and time management.

We also encourage students to take part in enrichment activities — from social action projects to extra-curricular clubs — that broaden their horizons and help them grow as individuals.

This holistic approach ensures that every learner is Ready for Life, able to manage their future, contribute to society and achieve lasting success.

Celebrating Student Success

Celebrating success is central to life at Weston College.

The report highlights how we actively recognise not only academic and vocational excellence, but also commitment, progress and personal growth.

This culture of celebration and encouragement helps build a sense of pride and community across the College, motivating students to aim higher and believe in what they can achieve.

One student summed it up perfectly:

“When you put in that effort and your effort is recognised, that’s like a stepping-stone and you realise – yes, I can do this.”

Discover More

To explore how Weston College is creating brighter futures for students, you can read the full report here: Read the full report

Find Your Future at Weston College

Whether you’re ready to start your career journey, upskill, or explore a new path, we offer hundreds of programmes, courses and apprenticeships — all designed to help you become Ready to Learn, Ready to Work and Ready for Life.

Explore our courses and apply today

Recently, the UK’s largest bus operator, Stagecoach, and Weston & District Community Transport, a not-for-profit organisation providing affordable to all door-to-door transport for the elderly, disabled and less advantaged residents, visited our Bus Bootcamp learners for a session about careers and opportunities within their company.

Stagecoach delivered an engaging presentation to our Bus Bootcamp learners, which offered an insightful overview of the company, inspiring employee progression stories, introductions to key team members, a showcase of the Bristol network, and a look into Stagecoach’s company vision – concluding with an interactive Q&A session.

Stagecoach arrived in one of their own training buses, giving learners the unique opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience what it’s really like to drive a bus. The visit concluded with one-to-one interviews between the learners and Stagecoach representatives, providing an excellent opportunity to discuss future career prospects within the company.

Weston & District Community Transport provided the bootcamp learners with an engaging overview of their community transport service, highlighting the vital role they play in supporting local residents and improving accessibility across the area. They also shared valuable insights into the different career pathways available within their organisation, explaining how the learners could take their first steps towards building a rewarding career in community transport.

John Fowler, Head of Construction Training Centre, said, “I’d like to thank the employers and learners that attended the Bus Bootcamp employer day, the feedback from both was amazing as learners found out about working for different employers with different offers of employment. They also attended interviews with one of the employers in advance of passing their tests.”

We still have spaces available for the next Bus Bootcamp intake in December, click here to apply – Bus Driver PCV | Weston College.