Weston College's Sevens Squad took to the field for its first tournament of the 2018 circuit against Surrey Schools 7s on Wednesday (7th March). The tournament was a pivotal part of their preparation for Rosslyn Park which takes place on 21st of March.

Weston started the tournament strongly with a convincing win over Gordon’s School in their first group match. Weston’s defensive shape controlled the majority of the game which saw the team score plenty of points from turnovers.

In the second game Weston came up against a strong Cranleigh School team which gave our boys some harsh lessons with their aggressive defence and accurate distribution. Cranleigh came out convincing winners and went on to win the whole tournament, which have our team a good experience to learn off one of the best teams there. The third game was a mixture of both previous games with Weston getting off to a great start, but with mistakes and the players being fatigued the game swung to Berkamstead's favour.

Although the results may not show it, the boys learnt a lot from the day and will now be much better prepared to succeed at the national sevens tournament in two weeks. Outstanding effort from all involved, however special mention to skipper Luke Harrington, playmaker Ethan Thomas and speedster Joe Freake for their contributions during the day.

Football

Weston College Men's 1s v SGS College Men's 2s

Weston College Men’s 1s travelled to SGS Men’s 2 for the South West ECFA cat 2 (south) game.

Weston College started strong, dominated the ball, and created a number of chances. SGS remained strong and defended well and tried to hit Weston on the counter, however Weston defended well and stopped their attacks and competed well. Weston then had the break through, Tom Llewellyn with a well taken finish into the far corner. With Weston Controlling the rest of the half and keep SGS at arm’s length.

The second half started without real chances created. SGS started to grow into the game with Weston giving away cheap possession, however it was Weston which scored next through a good counter attack with Lucas Vowles placing into the far bottom corner. With Weston taking the lead it was SGS who had the aggression to get back into the game. SGS began to throw more bodies forwards and created a number of good opportunities from set pieces. Weston still tried to control the ball and maintain possession. 

SGS scored from a well-taken free kick. Going into the last 15 minutes of the game with the score 2-1 to Weston, SGS threw everything at Weston, but Weston remained strong, defended well, and saw a late break away by Lewis Neal who placed his shot wide of the post which was the last kick of the game.

Final score: SGS College 1 – Weston College 2

Weston College Men's 2s v Wiltshire College

Weston College 2nds team travelled to Wiltshire Football Academy for their AoC fixture against top of the league Wiltshire College. Weston totally controlled the tempo of the first half of the game, dominating possession and creating many chances which saw 1st year sport student Jakub Kartasinski open the scoring to make it 1-0. Toby Jones finished from close range to make it 2-0 before Wiltshire scored from a double-deflected shot. Weston looked to switch play well and this saw space open up for Jakub Kartasinski to deliver a cross for Aden Criddle to head home. A questionable offside led to Wiltshire’s 2nd goal to make it 3-2 going into half time. 
 
Having conceded late in the first half to make it 3-2, Wiltshire seemed galvanised by this and came out in the second half with an attacking intent. Weston struggled to deal with this and it soon become 3-3 after a defensive mistake. Wiltshire were then awarded a penalty when Andy Sinclair brought down the attacker in the area. Charlie Woodards came to the rescue with a superb save to keep the scores level and give Weston the lift they needed. However, disaster soon struck when a Wiltshire attacker found himself free in the area and his header was superbly saved by Woodards, however the striker managed to get to the rebound first and slot the ball home to complete the comeback. Criddle had a great opportunity late on to equalise, however his effort went wide of the target.

Despite the result and obvious disappointment of letting a two-goal lead slip, the squad can be pleased with how they performed against the top of the table. 

Final score: Wiltshire College 4 - Weston College 3 
MOM: Toby Jones & Harry Crowley 

Netball

Weston College v Exeter College
 
Weston was excited to replay Exeter on their home ground and knew it was not going to be an easy match. Weston started the first quarter with speed and confidence, we knew we had a versatile squad and were eager to showcase our potential. Weston had been working on its centre set plays and used these to its advantage by not losing any centre passes in the first quarter. End of first quarter was 6-6. 
 
The second quarter was very much goal-for-goal. Weston managed to create some turnovers from some magnificent interceptions and great defensive play. The College team persevered against an extremely tall Exeter defence but managed to keep within 1 goal of Exeter, finishing the second quarter 13-14 to Exeter. 
 
Third quarter Weston changed things around to put some more height into its attacking circle. This proved to be a success from the first whistle, creating confidence within the team's attacking and defensive play. The play was goal-for-goal with Weston pulling ahead and then Exeter pulling it back. It was Weston College's most intensive quarter, showing some amazing teamwork and great back up play. Third quarter ended 22-23 to Exeter. 
 
In the fourth quarter, the Weston College team knew it had nothing to lose and went out at 100%, a few mistakes were made and Exeter managed to get ahead by a couple of goals. Weston got their heads down and managed to get one for one goals but it proved to be too late. Weston played an amazing game and it was one of our closest matches. Each Academy player played so magnificently and it was a tough call for Players' Player.

Well done to Exeter and look forward to re-playing you next season. 

Final score: Exeter 36 - Weston 31
Players' Player: Ella

Weston College launched an Aspiring Managers Programme at Avon Fire and Rescue training centre in Bath last week (10th May 2018). The Aspiring Managers Programme was created in partnership with Avon Fire and Rescue following Weston College’s success in the tender process to deliver a Team Leading Level 3 Apprenticeship.

The programme will develop 22 Team Leaders from different departments within Avon Fire and Rescue, and is due to last 18 months. At the end of the programme the 22 learners will have gained greater management knowledge and also a Level 3 qualification.

Liz Marchant, Learning and Development Manager at Avon Fire and Rescue, said: “We are so pleased to have secured Weston College as a training provider for our new management programme. This will provide vital development for our first-line managers, across Operational, Control room and Support staff areas.

“It is an exciting time for us and we are proud to forge a partnership with the College both in recruitment of apprentices and developing our existing staff.”

Tracie Leahy, Head of Apprenticeship Sales and Recruitment at Weston College, added: “We are delighted to be working with Avon Fire and Rescue and building a partnership with them to deliver this Aspiring Managers Programme.

“We have worked together to produce a bespoke training programme that will inspire the next generation of leaders within Avon Fire and Rescue. We are excited for the programme to get underway and wish the learners the best of luck.”

As you may already know, Weston College has just been shortlisted for six national awards.

These are among the most prestigious honours available in the further education (FE) sector. So, to be in the running for six, is a huge achievement.

The Principal, Individual staff, College initiatives, and the College, as a whole, are all finalists in various categories.

But what are the awards all about? Why is it such an achievement? Who’s been shortlisted, and for what?

Let us explain.

What are the awards?

We’ve been shortlisted in four categories of the 2019 Tes FE Awards. (Tes was formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement, by the way).

In Tes’s words, the awards “recognise the most outstanding individuals and institutions that the FE sector has to offer, and those shortlisted are the cream of the crop.”

Put simply, they are the ‘Oscars’ of the FE world.

We’re also finalists in two Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Beacon Awards.

Now in its 24th year, the Beacon Awards showcase best practice and innovation in colleges. As Carole Stott MBE, Chair of the AoC Charitable Trust, explains: “The Beacon Awards were created to highlight the great work that goes on in colleges every day.”

The awards cover achievements in the academic year 2017-18.

Are these separate awards?

Yes and no.

The Tes and Beacon awards are judged independently but they have teamed up to release the shortlists and will hold a joint ceremony to announce the winners.

This ‘gala awards evening’ will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Friday, 22nd March, 2019. It promises to be a spectacular event with more than 800 guests expected to attend, including government ministers and many of the great and good from the education sector.

Why is it such a major achievement for the College?

Firstly, these are all national awards, so every college, member of staff and special initiative was eligible for at least one category.

Then, to be finalists in so many categories is exceptional. For instance, there are only 11 Tes categories and we’re shortlisted in four. Likewise, we’re shortlisted in two of the eight Beacon Award categories.

There are eight finalists for each Tes Award, and either three or four in the AoC Award categories.

Who’s been shortlisted, and for which awards?

These are our finalists in the Tes Awards:

Dr Paul Phillips CBE – FE Leader of the Year

Our Principal, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, is a finalist in this category, which recognises exceptional leadership in FE in the UK.

Dr Phillips has led from the front as the College has enjoyed another hugely successful year. Among the highlights were the College winning the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. This is one of the College’s most impressive achievements since it embarked on its 16-year transformation under the leadership of Dr Phillips in 2001.

Claire Knapp – FE Teacher of the Year

Claire is a lecturer in motor vehicles at the College.

This award rewards the individual whose passion, knowledge and skill have inspired students to success and who have made a major contribution to educational life. It is open to anyone working as a teacher, tutor or lecturer in the FE sector. All finalists have had an excellent impact on learners’ progress, attainment and growth, and brought positive change beyond learners.

Weston College – FE College of the Year

It’s a major honour to even be shortlisted for this award, which “rewards colleges whose imagination and passion have led to stellar provision in all areas”.

This has been another exceptional year for the College. As well as success in the apprenticeships (90% offered permanent positions after completion) and pre-employment (60% of Job Centre Plus referrals transitioning into employment within 6 months), we won two Beacon Awards last year and won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize – one of only two FE colleges in the country awarded this prestigious honour.

Sensory Learning Base – Specialist Provider of the Year

‘The Sensory Learning Base’ is a purpose-built, safe, self-contained, specialist facility at Weston College’s Knightstone Campus for learners with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD).

This award recognises specialist providers whose imagination and passion have led to stellar provision and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those with specific learning requirements. Award finalists have been shown to provide high-quality curriculum with excellent student outcomes, reflected in strong recruitment and success rates.

Here are our finalists for the AoC Awards:

College-wide mental health initiative – Mental Health and Wellbeing Award

This College initiative was developed to enhance the mental health, wellbeing and welfare of its learners, staff and community. It involves the College’s Welfare and Pastoral, Inclusive Practice/Mental Health, Sport and Public Services and HR teams.

The award celebrates the important work colleges are doing to support the mental health and wellbeing of their learners and staff.

College initiative to meet address skills shortages in the engineering sector – Engagement with Employers Award

This recognises the College’s transformational approach to delivering responsive provision that meets the skills priorities for the engineering and advanced engineering sector. It’s a joint initiative involving the College’s Business Growth, Employer Engagement, Higher Education and Faculty of Engineering teams.

Wish us good luck for March 2019 when the winner for each category will be announced!