College named Centre For Excellence for SEND learning
Weston College has been selected as one of three Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
As a Centre of Excellence, the College will become a national leader in SEND learning.
It will be a focal point for expertise and resources, and a key provider in helping young people with SEND achieve their potential.
The College will also be responsible for sharing expertise and resources with practitioners and organisations, and providers across the further education (FE) sector.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “To be chosen as a Centre for Excellence in SEND learning is a huge honour.
“We’ve always taken great pride in the quality of our provision and the expertise of our SEND staff. But, to become a national hub within the sector, sets us apart as a leader in the field.
“It also represents a major challenge – but it’s one we relish.
“As a College we’ve always embraced the ideals and ethos of inclusive learning and supported employment. Becoming a national SEND centre provides the opportunity to help even more learners transition successfully into adulthood. Working with the Education Training Foundation and providers we are poised to embark upon a journey of impact, entrepreneurship and inclusion ensuring it is led from the top of the organisation. ”
The College was awarded the Centre for Excellence contract after competitive tender, which was open to every SEND provider in England. Each centre will deliver a specific aspect of SEND learning, with Weston College selected to focus on the theme of ‘people’, supporting organisations to create an inclusive culture, motivating staff to engage in continued professional development with an emphasis on supporting the development of innovative evidence based approaches to supporting the success of students with social, emotional and mental health needs.
In recent years, Weston College has won a string of prestigious accolades for its SEND provision.
These include the Queen’s Anniversary Prize – regarded the highest honour in the education sector – three AOC Beacon Awards, SEND Champion at the Apprenticeship Awards and ‘Inclusion in Employment’ winner at the national SEND Awards.
