<div style="float:right;width:50%;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oeWk0CxblmI?si=46WOepQfs45F5Boe&quot; width="560"></iframe></div><p>It’s official, <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> is among the best places to study at university level in the UK, according to the results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) published on September 28th 2023.</p><p>The TEF panel considered the overall rating for UCW to be Gold, placing it among the country’s best university and college higher education providers. This recognition by the TEF Panel reflects UCW’s unwavering dedication to providing outstanding education to a diverse student body and places it within the top 20% in the UK and one of only six colleges nationally to achieve the status.</p><p>The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.</p><p>The TEF does this by assessing and rating universities and colleges for excellence above a set of minimum requirements for quality and standards.</p><p>Providers that take part in the TEF receive an overall rating as well as two underpinning ratings – one for the student experience and one for student outcomes.</p><p>The ratings reflect the extent to which a provider delivers an excellent experience and outcomes for its mix of undergraduate students and across the range of its undergraduate courses and subjects.</p><p>Hundreds of higher education institutions in England, Wales and Scotland have had their teaching quality, learning environment, and student outcome data assessed by the TEF Panel and rated as either Gold, Silver, Bronze or Requires Improvement.</p><p>The TEF Panel judged that UCW delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students, which is of the highest quality found in Britain.</p><p>Jacqui Ford, Interim Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group expressed her delight, saying,</p><p>“This achievement represents a significant milestone for our region, confirming the excellence of our institution for higher education. Furthermore, it underscores the Weston College Group’s positive impact on learners both locally and nationally. Attaining Gold status also validates UCW’s approach of seamlessly blending high-quality academic learning with practical, career-oriented education, providing our students and university partners with confidence in our offerings.”</p><p>Ford extended her gratitude to the dedicated staff at UCW, Weston College, and partner universities, recognising their instrumental role in achieving this remarkable status. She noted:</p><p>"Our journey to this point would not have been possible without the invaluable support of my predecessor Sir Paul Phillips who led the Weston College Group since 2001 until his retirement in August 2023, our partner universities, the University of the West of England, Bath Spa University, and Hartpury University, as well as UCW’s Vice Principal for Higher Education, Sadie Skellon. The dedication of our staff, and governors, and the collaborative efforts with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and North Somerset Council have also been essential in reaching this remarkable achievement.”</p><p>UCW’s Vice Principal for Higher Education, Sadie Skellon added:</p><p>“The TEF Panel has recognised the efforts of the talented and dedicated students and staff that we have at UCW and across the Weston College Group, and the value of the outstanding support we provide.</p><p>“UCW is committed to being an inclusive institution, promoting participation from students from all backgrounds and supporting students to ensuring positive outcomes for all. We have strategic aims to articulate this and are pleased the OfS has acknowledged that UCW ‘tailors provision and succeeds in its aim of supporting underrepresented groups of students from its region to achieve in their studies’.</p><p>In addition to praise for the student experience, UCW was praised for its supportive learning environment, offering students access to a wide range of high-quality academic support tailored to their needs. The institution has also demonstrated a commitment to embedding employability and entrepreneurship into its course content, preparing students for successful futures.</p><p>UCW’s dedication to research, innovation, scholarship, professional practice, and employer engagement further enhances the academic experience, contributing to the institution’s outstanding standing in the TEF.</p><p>This Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework solidifies UCW’s status as a leading institution committed to excellence in higher education.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Students studying <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds?utm_s… Levels, Vocational subjects, and T Levels</a> at Weston College celebrate outstanding grades on results day 2023.</p><p>Results at Weston College were yet again very impressive for learners across the campuses of the College Group. The new <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels</a> included the subject disciplines of Health, Engineering, Education &amp; Early Years. Digital, Design, and Construction achieved a 100% pass rate with 77% of learners achieving the highest grades.</p><p>T Levels are qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds, taken after GCSEs. They are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels and focus on technical and vocational skills. They can help students into skilled employment, higher study, or apprenticeships.</p><p>Similarly, for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a>, 100% pass rates were realised in Computer Science, Economics, English, French, Media, Photography, Textiles, Criminology, IT, and Sport with Polish and Russian scoring 100% A*-B!</p><p>The College also witnessed hundreds of students achieving their vocational qualifications, in Animal Management, Business, Construction, Creative Arts, Education, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, Motor Vehicle, Public Services, and Sport.</p><p>Weston College Group Principal and Chief Executive Sir Paul Phillips CBE said:</p><p>“These results are a testament to the hard work and diligence of both staff and students and reflect yet again a superb progression to Higher Education and employment”.</p><p>“At Weston College, you’re not just taught how to pass an exam. Our focus looks not only on the present, but the future too with a key focus on kickstarting incredible careers. Our study programmes raise aspirations, and we work alongside industry to prepare students for their next step – whether that’s a Degree, Higher Apprenticeship, or the world of work.</p><p>“A massive congratulations and thank-you to the cohort of 2023. I wish each learner every success in their onward journey.”</p><p>A Level student Harrison Byrom who picked up his results today commented:</p><p>"It's an incredible feeling to have achieved A* in English Language and Literature, A in History, B in Politics, and an A in my EPQ. These results have opened the door for me to pursue my passion for History at Oxford University. For me, Weston College has an environment that is so much more enriching than traditional school settings, and the curriculum content has been an absolute blast to engage with. My time here has truly helped shape my character, pushing me to grow and evolve. I'm amazed at the brilliant friendships I've forged along the way. Weston College has been a pivotal chapter in my educational journey, and I can't wait to see where the next one at Oxford takes me."</p><p>Also, Iona Chambers was delighted with her results, which she collected from Loxton Campus with her Mum, Iona said:</p><p>“I am absolutely thrilled with my results and couldn't be happier. Achieving Criminology A*, Biology A, and English Literature B is a dream come true. My journey at Weston College has been nothing short of amazing. The support I received from the teachers and the Autism Hub has been incredible. After my GCSEs, I wasn't certain if A Levels were the right path for me, but from the moment I stepped into the College, I was embraced with warmth, encouragement, and unwavering support from everyone around me. I am particularly grateful to Jude and Nadine from the support team who have been absolutely incredible. With this solid foundation, I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter of my education, studying Conservation and Archaeology at Cardiff University.”</p><p>T Level student in Education and Early Years, Hannah Morris picked up her results today and said:</p><p>“I am really happy with the results I have received today. I feel really grateful to all my tutors at the College who really encouraged me and helped me reach my goal. The T Level course has really helped boost my confidence and make me the person I am today. With this qualification, I can now continue to pursue my career within a local nursery.</p><p>T Levels are backed by employers and also contain 315 hours of an Industry Placement, which this year Bristol Port has given five Weston College T Level learners the opportunity to carry out their placements at the Port. David Brown, the Chief Executive Officer commented:</p><p>“The Bristol Port Company are passionate about developing future talent within our business and we have hosted T Level students from Weston College on their industry placement this year. The students have worked closely with our team and have made a positive impression. It’s good to see the new employer-led T Level courses giving young people the technical skills and practical experience they need for the workplace, supported by Weston College.”</p><p>The College’s Vocational qualifications were also outstanding this year. Business Extended Diploma student, Tallulah Stradling received the top grade and commented:</p><p>“I am really happy with my results! I can’t believe that I managed to get D*, D*, D*, and I am now off to Exeter University to study Law. I have really enjoyed my experience at Weston College – from the support to the course, it has been amazing.”</p><p>Overall, college results were exceptional with a similar set of outcomes to last year, albeit with a slight overall downward shift of 1%-2%. Sir Phillips added how pleased he was to see the take-up and advancement of T Levels reflecting their importance in curriculum delivery and learner progression.</p>

<p>Our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Level Year 1 Education and Early Years</a> learners hosted their first Stay and Play of the year in our purpose-built Community Room on Thursday afternoon. Learners set up a range of activities including painting, playdough and a story corner, which they then welcomed a group of children from <a href="https://thenursery.uk.com/">The Nursery</a> to come and play! The Nursery is in Portishead, and has a great relationship with the Early Years learners, particularly as they are a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hub</a> Employer. This means they provide industry placement opportunities for our learners, and provide industry standard knowledge that can influence the content taught on the course.</p><p>It was a lovely afternoon had by both children and learners, and they received some amazing feedback following the session!</p><p>The Nursery commented, “We have made a really valuable link with Weston College to support our future early years practitioners. The preschool children explored the wonderful activities the students had set up, and interacted so confidently in the new space. We are all looking forward to returning and trying out some fun new activities.”</p><p>The Assessor and Placement Officer for Early Years, Rachael Moger, commented, “The Stay and Play was a fantastic opportunity for both the learners and the children. We’re very lucky to have The Nursery as a CEH Employer – ensuring work experience opportunities to our learners is so important to us here at Weston College, so having that close working relationship with The Nursery is so beneficial. We all can’t wait until the next Stay and Play, which is Christmas themed!”</p><p>Click here if you’d like to find out more about <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</a> and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels</a>.</p>