181 Years of Weston College
181 Years of Weston College

Celebrating 181 Years of Weston College!

Following last year's incredible milestone of celebrating 180 years at the heart of our community, we're proud to continue marking 181 years of Weston College.

For more than 181 years, the College has been a place where futures are built, friendships are formed, and memories are made. Explore the timeline below to discover some of the key moments, milestones and achievements that have shaped Weston College into what it is today.

Our History Timeline

1845

The first educational building on Knightstone Campus, the National School, opened on 22nd September, funded by Archdeacon Henry Law.

first educational building on Knightstone Campus and a picture of Archdeacon Henry Law who built it

1893

The Hans Price-designed School of Science and Art opened to train technicians and designers. Later refurbished to the College’s Conference Centre.

School of Science and Art, Later refurbished to the College’s Conference Centre and a picture of Hans Price who built it

1966

Building begin on new Weston College Knightstone Campus

knightstone campus building site

1970

Weston Technical College, opened on 9th September on the former National School site.

first interation of the knightstone camps on the site of the former

1983

The Weston College Conference Centre (formerly the School of Science and Art) was granted Grade 2 listed status.

Weston College Conference Centre (formerly the School of Science and Art)

1993

The First Higher Education Programme ran at the College (Art & Design Diploma of Higher Education)

hands holding mortarboards up

1999

The Knightstone Campus extension moved the main entrance to Lower Church Road and added a modern, accessible multi-storey reception.

The College established a partnership with Bath Spa University to enhance its Higher Education programmes.

Knightstone campus

2007

Loxton Campus opened (originally known as the University Campus), that houses A Levels and Creative Arts.

Partnership with UWE Bristol formed to further strengthen the College’s Higher Education offer.

Loxton Campus

2009

College achieves Investors in People Gold and Champion status.

Investors in People Gold and Champion status logo

2013

The SouthWest Skills Campus was opened, featuring innovations such as the Lord Baker Innovation Centre, Future Technology Centre and the Engineering Centre of Excellence.

south west skills Campus

2015

The College acquired and redeveloped the Winter Gardens Pavilion for UCW, preserving its 1920s section for public use.

Investors in Winter Gardens Pavilion

2016

Weston College was granted University Centre status by the Department for Education, leading to the creation of University Centre Weston (UCW).

The College bought and renovated the former Arosfa Hotel, adding teaching space and accommodation for apprentices.

UCW Logo

2017

The College received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, recognising its excellence in education and commitment to students with special educational needs and disabilities.

The College bought the Lauriston Hotel, originally three 1831 villas. Used to house soldiers in WWII, it later became a hotel for visually impaired guests.

Queen’s Anniversary Prize Logos

2018

UCW received the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating.

TEF Gold Logo

2019

The Construction Training Centre opened

The Animal Management Centre at Puxton Park opened.

Led by Weston College, the West of England Institute of Technology was selected as one of the first 12 Institutes of Technology.

Construction Training Centre

2020

The Health and Active Living Skills Centre opened at the Loxton Campus.

The Bristol Training Institute was created. located in Central Bristol.

Health and Active Living Skills Centre

2022

Winner of the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards, Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year.

Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards logo

2023

Weston College was awarded Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year at the South West Apprenticeship Awards for the fifth year in a row.

UCW retained its Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating.

South West Apprenticeship Awards logo

2024

Weston College ranked as #11 in the UK’s Top 100 Inclusive Employers

#11 in the UK’s Top 100 Inclusive Employers logo

2025

Weston College win national STEM Initiative at C21 Awards.

Partnership with The University of Worcester formed to further strengthen the College’s Higher Education o er.

STEM Initiative logo

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One Message, Different Voices

Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

Halo workplace logo

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.