Ambitious Inclusion Strategy to Drive Equity and Opportunity Across the Region

Weston College has launched its Inclusion Strategy 2025–2030, setting out a bold commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion for learners, staff and the wider community it serves across North Somerset, Bristol and the surrounding region.

Titled “Belong, Thrive, Achieve”, the strategy positions inclusion as central to the College’s mission of Creating Brighter Futures and reflects the transformative role further education plays in tackling inequality, improving life chances and strengthening communities.

The strategy is grounded in the realities facing the region, including high levels of deprivation, rising numbers of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and persistent attainment and employment gaps for disadvantaged young people and adults.

Weston College supports over 8,000 learners, including more than 2,500 learners with learning difficulties or disabilities, and is committed to not only meeting but exceeding its statutory duties – particularly for SEND and under-represented groups.

The Inclusion Strategy is structured around three core pillars:

• Belong – fostering a culture of respect, safety and belonging, free from discrimination and harassment
• Thrive – embedding inclusive design into policies, curriculum, estates and digital environments to remove systemic barriers
• Achieve – improving outcomes through targeted support, inclusive curriculum pathways, employer engagement and staff development

Key commitments include the introduction of an Equity in Education Framework, enhanced SEND provision, increased financial and wellbeing support, improved accessibility, and stronger partnerships with schools, employers, local authorities and community organisations.

By placing equity and inclusion at the heart of its operations, Weston College aims to improve learner outcomes, reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), and contribute positively to social mobility and economic growth across the region.

The strategy is underpinned by Weston College’s Inclusion Promise, a public commitment to understanding, representing, supporting and celebrating the diverse individuals and communities it serves. Through this strategy, Weston College reaffirms its role as a place where education opens doors, difference is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to belong, thrive and achieve.