Weston College today announced a £3 million investment to create a new, purpose-built facility for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), significantly expanding independent living and residential training provision in Weston-super-Mare from September 2026.

The College’s current independent living provision at Weston Bay (on the seafront in Weston-super-Mare) will relocate to its Law and Professional Services Academy at Knightstone Campus, transforming the former Arosfa Hotel into a dedicated, needs-led environment designed specifically to support learners with SEND, including those with autism.

The move will see the SEND provision take full occupancy of the building, with existing curriculum areas relocated across the College’s wider campus network, including the new Aerospace and Skills Academy in Filton.

The new facility, which will be named by learners in the coming weeks, will provide a highly supportive yet aspirational setting, helping learners develop independence, confidence and the essential skills needed for adult life, closer to home and within their local community.

Originally opened in 2013, Weston Bay was one of the first provisions of its kind nationally and has since supported hundreds of young people and adults with autism to develop vital life, social and employability skills. With demand for specialist SEND provision continuing to grow locally and nationally, this major investment ensures Weston College can expand capacity while further enhancing the quality of support it offers.

The redevelopment will expand on the building’s existing strengths to deliver a modern, purpose-built SEND training hub, designed to support personalised learning and real-world skill development.

The new facility will include:

Residential and independent living

• Two floors dedicated to independent living and life skills development
• 18 residential spaces to provide short stays, within the week to develop life skills, representing a 100% increase on current provision at Weston Bay
• Purpose-built training flat for small-group, real-world learning experiences
• A fully accessible residential room with a wet room.

Learning and employability

• One dedicated curriculum floor, home to the College’s Supported Employment Excellence Hub
• Eight specialist classrooms focused on life skills, employability and progression
• Two fully equipped training kitchens to support practical, everyday skill development.

Support and integration

• Flexible social and multi-use learning spaces to encourage collaboration and independence
• Dedicated intervention and support rooms to enhance personalised learning
• Improved access to wider Knightstone Campus facilities, helping learners’ transition confidently onto main college campuses as they progress across courses.

This investment marks a significant step forward in strengthening inclusive education across Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset, ensuring learners with SEND are better prepared for meaningful, independent adult lives.

The announcement comes amid growing demand from learners, families, education providers and local authorities for high-quality SEND provision that focuses on life beyond education. The development also ensures Weston College is well positioned to respond to national policy developments, including the Schools White Paper and the updated Ofsted inspection framework.

Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “This investment is about far more than buildings; it’s about independence, confidence and opportunity. It allows us to significantly expand our capacity while providing a truly purpose-built environment tailored to the needs of learners with SEND.

“From September 2026, learners will benefit from a nurturing, modern setting where they can develop essential life skills, engage in meaningful learning and take confident steps towards independence. This will be genuinely life-changing and reflects our commitment to creating brighter futures.”

Mandy Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of North Somerset Council, said: “In North Somerset we really believe that every young person should be able to access education in the way that supports and encourages them. The investment in the new facility at Weston College is a great example of that. Having a facility like this in our local area means that our young people with special educational needs and disabilities have the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment whilst being able to learn, live and thrive independently and importantly, within our community.” 

“It’s through working together with individuals, families, education providers such as Weston College and many others in the sector, that we will achieve the positive outcomes our community and those within it deserve.”