<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last term, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… and Early Years</u></a> students hosted a sensory workshop for our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours… Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)</u></a> students, creating a range of hands-on and creative activities for them to enjoy.&nbsp;</p><p>This was a great way for our learners to organise an event that was accessible, inclusive, and fun. Students catered for individual needs, set up a wide range of activities, and assisted each learner to ensure they got the most out of the session. These activities included slime-making, a painting station, paper chain building, and a sensory flour session.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Holding a sensory, creative and hands-on workshop where <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</u></a> students work alongside <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; students offers benefits for both groups. For early years students, leading and participating in activities that must be adapted to different needs builds confidence in their own abilities, as they learn different ways to communicate, teach and play. They develop adaptability while gaining a deeper understanding of inclusion, empathy and diverse learning styles.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile for our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; students, these workshops provide engaging and interactive experiences that support communication, sensory regulation and self-expression in a supportive and social environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This collaboration is important because it nurtures inclusive attitudes early on, improves social confidence for all learners, and builds a sense of community between learners. Not only this, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</u></a> students have also gained essential and transferrable skills for future learning and professional practice to progress their career in the industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>A huge well done to our students for organising such a seamless and inclusive event.&nbsp;</p><p>This hands-on workshop forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… and Early Years</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. &nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/education-and-early-years/"><u… and Early Years</u></a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… and Early Years</u></a> students packed up six shoeboxes filled with toys and activities for children less fortunate this Christmas with the Samaritan's Shoebox Appeal.&nbsp;</p><p>The <strong>Samaritan's Christmas Shoebox Appeal</strong>, also known as Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, is a fantastic initiative where the public is encouraged to pack up shoeboxes with gifts for children across the world whose families cannot generally afford Christmas presents. This year, the shoeboxes are being delivered to countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Malawi, Ghana, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, West Africa, and the Middle East. These shoeboxes will bring joy to children and let them know they are cared for.&nbsp;</p><p>This initiative was introduced to the students after one of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years Educator T Level</u></a> learners, Sophie, announced that she had been taking part in the Christmas Shoebox Appeal for the last seven years. During this time, she has sent off a total of 9 shoeboxes to help bring joy to children at Christmas time, and an extra six if you include the shoeboxes sent by her peers.&nbsp;</p><p>Sophie said, “Seeing how fortunate I am on Christmas to have a few presents compared to other children, I wanted to go out and make it so other children can feel special too. Seeing the smiles on the children's faces will be priceless for their parents and I just know that the parents will be grateful to the person who gave their child a gift. I also just believe that each child deserves a present on Christmas as it keeps their magic alive.”&nbsp;</p><p>“I think it’s important to get involved because it gives back to the community and helps others when in need. I often imagine how I would feel in that situation, and I would want to be helped during the festive time of year. Even donating to the charity, it allows children to get a gift at Christmas which means so much to them.”&nbsp;</p><p>In these boxes, the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</u></a> students packed up a range of items for both boys and girls, as well as babies. They had a brief to follow to ensure a wide range of gifts were bought to fit into each category and ensure every child had an appropriate present, including pens, colouring books, fluffy socks, toys, hairbrushes, and teddies, as well as more practical gifts such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary products, dummies, shower gel, and much more.&nbsp;</p><p>Students got stuck in, bringing in shoeboxes and wrapping them up as well as organising the presents to ensure each box contained suitable gifts for the recipient with a fair amount in each box. Students even included a group picture so the receiver could see who gifted them the shoebox as well as a signed note from the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… and Early Years</u></a> students at Weston College.&nbsp;</p><p>By getting the students involved, it teaches them valuable lessons of generosity and the importance of donating to charity. They experienced the positive impact they could have on someone’s life, and for students who aim to work with children in the future, it gives them an idea of the different circumstances and backgrounds children can come from.&nbsp;</p><p>A big well done to all the students involved for making this possible, in particular Sophie who has been independently taking part in this tradition for years and for encouraging the other students to get involved, it is an amazing initiative to get involved with!&nbsp;</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege/video/7578829316994239766&quot; data-video-id="7578829316994239766"><section><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?refer=embed&quot; target="_blank" title="@westoncollege">@westoncollege</a></p><p>Early Years students packed up a range of toys and necessities for the Samaritan's Shoebox Appeal! 🎄🎁</p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-WestonCollege-7578829336062…; target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - WestonCollege">♬ original sound - WestonCollege</a></p></section></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><p>This initiative forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… and Early Years</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. &nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/education-and-early-years/"><u… and Early Years</u></a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">It’s T Levels Week so we want to discuss the different progression routes students can take after completing a T Level and the benefits they have on future careers.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels</u></a> were officially launched in September 2020 but have already proved to be an excellent pathway for many learners, allowing them to progress onto apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, university and full-time employment. &nbsp;</p><p>T Levels are two-year qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds designed in collaboration with employers to provide a perfect blend of classroom learning and real-world experience. They are a fantastic alternative to A Levels and apprenticeships, ensuring that learners graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their chosen fields. &nbsp;</p><p>According to the <strong>Department of Education’s Technical Education Learner Survey 2024</strong>, around <strong>72% </strong>of T Level completers agreed that their T Level had allowed them to progress into their desired field. Not only this, <strong>71%</strong> said their T Level prepared them for their current study and the workplace, and <strong>68%</strong> felt ready for their future career.&nbsp;</p><p>At Weston College, we have many examples of students who have successfully progressed from T Levels to <strong>Degree Apprenticeships</strong>. One learner, Lewis, studied the T Level Health and has just begun the new <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/paramedic-degree-apprenticeship/"><u>Para… Degree Apprenticeship</u></a> at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><strong><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></strong></a>. Lewis said, “I’ve been a full-time carer for my mum for years, which inspired my goal to become a paramedic. The T Level Health course stood out for its blend of theoretical and practical learning, allowing me to practice my skills in a simulation room and on placements.”</p><p>Another student, Ben, studied the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction</u></a>, completing his placement at Hydrock where he was kept on as a Structural Engineer <strong>Apprentice </strong>through the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/civil-engineering-hnc/"><u>Level 4 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship</u></a> at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>UCW</u></a&gt; due to his hard work and talent. He even revisited the current T Level Construction learners to discuss his role in the company, his progression, and his future plans to complete a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><strong><u>UCW</u></strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Ho…, there have also been many instances where students have progressed from T Levels to <strong>university</strong>. One student, Katy, studied the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Level in Education and Early Years</u></a> which provided her with hands-on experience at different primary school placements, before progressing to a degree in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/education-society-and-childhood-ba-hons/"…, Society, and Childhood</u></a> at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><strong><u>UCW</u></strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>One of our current Year 2 <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…, Management and Leadership T Level</a> students, Ellie, is planning to progress to <strong>university </strong>or go down the <strong>apprenticeship </strong>route once she has completed her T Level. She said, “What drew me to the T Level is that it’s not all classroom based. You get to go to a placement in a major business and explore what it is like to work there, get stuck into tasks, and work together with new people in teams. I am currently completing my placement at Lloyds Banking Group and I am really enjoying it. It has improved my confidence and my practical knowledge of business that I may not have got solely in a classroom.”&nbsp;</p><p>T Levels provide the perfect blend of classroom and hands-on work placement. With many future opportunities desiring both a qualification and industry experience, these new qualifications allow students to apply their knowledge to a real-world setting. It develops their transferrable skills and better prepares them for their future careers by enhancing their personal and professional growth.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… you are interested in exploring our T Levels, click here.</u></a></p>