Special guests and pupils from the nine schools who are Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) trust, gathered for the very first Opening Worlds Curriculum Symposium at Weston College on Tuesday 21st May 2024.

In 2023 ELAN adopted the Opening Worlds curriculum for humanities: geography, history and religious education written and designed by Steve Mastin and Christine Counsell.

To open the evening, thanks to our tech team at Weston College and IT whizz Emma Parkins, Opening World’s writer Steve Mastin beamed in live via video call from Kazakhstan to talk directly with the children.

Following on, children and special guests enjoyed a lovely two-course dinner, catered for by our incredible catering and hospitality learners, providing the learners with an additional opportunity to support their own studies and show off what they can do.

Over dinner, children entertained their table with amazing stories, facts and knowledge about some of their favourite subjects.

The second half of the evening saw an interactive and rather competitive quiz pitting schools and their wisdom against each other – no adult input allowed and absolutely not required.

It was edge-of-the-seat action and very tightly fought with the overall winners Oldmixon Primary School taking the trophy!

Marie Berry, Headteacher at Bourneville Primary School, said: “What an amazing night! To have witnessed the pure joy in the room was an absolute privilege. Definitely a top ELAN moment.

“Thank you to everyone who put so much into making it the great success it was. The children were fantastic, and I think we can certainly say quality teaching is paying off.

“Councillor Gibbons was absolutely blown away by the children’s knowledge and looking around the room I could see similar responses from many of the guests. It’ll be an event I remember always.”

Matthew, a Year 3 student from Locking Primary School, added: “This is the most special evening of my entire life. I liked the quiz. There were so many questions, and we really did try our best! The dessert was delicious too!”

The CEO of ELAN, Adam Matthews, said: “The children’s knowledge, enthusiasm, love of learning and desire to discuss the subjects they had studied (and beyond) made a special evening extraordinary. It will go down as one of my standout moments in education.”

Extend Learning Academies Network is a group of North Somerset primary schools and nurseries situated at Banwell, Bournville, Locking, Oldmixon, Mead Vale, Mendip Green, Milton Park, Walliscote and Windwhistle.

This week, Louise Hill-Davies has achieved a significant milestone by becoming a published author. She has contributed to a collective anthology of poetry and short stories featuring works from authors who have persevered through adversity and injustice to find a route forward against the odds. This remarkable anthology includes contributions from notable figures such as Greg Williams, actress Courteney Cox, actors Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Jay Ellis, YouTuber KSI, rugby union player Maro Itoje, and singer-songwriter Sinead Harnett, among many others. 

The book centres around powerful life lessons, with contributors sharing their experiences navigating difficult personal circumstances. It showcases how, even when weathering the toughest storms, they found the strength to move forward instead of giving up. This anthology is a powerful celebration of human resilience and love, offering a vehicle for hope and encouraging readers to create a better ecosystem for preserving their mental health and wellbeing. 

Louise’s story, based on true events, centres on Lauren, a mother who faced systemic racism through the healthcare she received during the birth of her daughter. This powerful narrative shines a critical but necessary light on the challenges black women encounter in maternal care. Louise’s work not only resonates deeply on a personal level but also addresses broader societal issues, a message she passionately shares with our health learners. 

We are incredibly proud of Louise for her amazing contribution to this anthology. Her story is not only a testament to her strength and resilience but also an important reminder of the work still needed to address systemic racism in healthcare. Louise’s voice adds a crucial perspective to this collection, and her dedication to raising awareness is truly commendable. 

Louise’s involvement in this anthology underscores her commitment to advocacy and education, highlighting the importance of addressing and overcoming systemic injustices. Her story is a profound addition to the anthology, offering readers an insightful and impactful narrative that challenges and inspires. 

“I Wanted to Quit Too” is available now on amazon.

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 here. 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. 

In the last two weeks, the Motor Vehicle department at Weston College has been working closely with Dominic Pinfield, Centre Operations Manager at ATS Euromaster in Weston-Super-Mare, to provide valuable opportunities for our students. ATS Euromaster offered two paid 6-month internships, one based in Weston and one in Taunton, to our learners. 

ATS Euromaster invited a group of our Level 2 and Level 3 Motor Vehicle learners to a site tour of their Weston-Super-Mare branch. This visit allowed students to experience firsthand the working environment, gain insight into the type of work they would be performing, and meet the rest of the team, which includes three former Weston College students who have successfully built careers in the industry after their education here. 

Following the site visit, interested learners submitted their CVs and participated in formal interviews held at the South West Skills Campus. As a result, two candidates were selected and offered the paid internships. 

This partnership forms part of the Automotive Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.   

To see more about our Automotive courses, click here. 

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 here. 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.