Students, educators, and employers in the education industry gathered at Weston College for a captivating lecture delivered by acclaimed author Greg Bottrill. As a former early years lead and assistant headteacher with extensive experience in the early years sector, Greg Bottrill enlightened attendees on the profound impact of play-based learning on a child’s cognitive and emotional development.

Greg Bottrill, known for his expertise in the Play Projects approach, shared insights into the transformative power of incorporating choice, creativity, collaboration, mark-making, mathematics, joy, invention, and endless possibilities into early years practices. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Greg provided practical strategies for creating dynamic learning environments that stimulate curiosity and independence, emphasizing the pivotal role of play in childhood development.

The evening, attended by Education & Early Years students, alumni, and professionals from various education settings, featured an uplifting and insightful workshop exploring the application of play projects in practice. Attendees were immersed in Greg’s passion for real play, the magic of childhood, and the importance of placing children at the heart of their learning adventure.

Rachel Landen from Keepers Gate Forest School conveyed her enthusiasm, stating, “I took so much away from this event; I was still talking about it when I woke up the next day. All our staff were engaged and excited about how we could implement some of the ideas.”

The Weston College Early Years and Education Careers Excellence Hubs express their gratitude to Greg Bottrill for delivering such a fantastic and enriching lecture. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees underscores the success of the event in inspiring and motivating educators and professionals in the education industry.

Engaging with industry experts and employers forms part of Weston College’s Early Years and Education Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our students' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares students 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.

For those interested in exploring education and early years courses at Weston College, please visit Education and Early Years | Weston College.

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.

Weston College is proud to announce an exciting collaboration with Premier Education, the UK’s No.1 provider of sport and physical activity to primary schools. Representatives from Premier Education visited Weston College to engage with Level 2 and Level 3 Sports learners, offering valuable insights into potential apprenticeships within the sector and outlining clear progression paths beyond their current courses. The visit from Premier Education aimed to inspire and inform our Sports students about the diverse possibilities within the education sector and the potential for rewarding careers.

Weston College has been fostering a close working relationship with Premier Education, which so far has led to three apprentices from the College joining Premier Education. The success of these apprenticeships has fuelled the ambition to further develop this partnership, allowing learners to embark on their journey with Premier Education apprenticeship starting from Level 2 and progressing up to Level 4.

"We are excited about the prospects that our collaboration with Premier Education brings to our learners," said Dan Lomax, Curriculum Coordinator in Sports, and Health at Weston College. "The opportunity for paid work and clear progression paths from Level 2 to Level 4 exemplifies our commitment to providing students with tangible and rewarding career pathways."

Following the engaging sessions with Premier Education representatives, eight enthusiastic learners from Weston College expressed their interest by signing up for the interview process.

Weston College looks forward to further strengthening its partnership with Premier Education, providing students with not just academic knowledge but also real-world experiences that pave the way for successful and fulfilling careers.

This guest lecture from Premier Education forms part of the Sports and Fitness Careers Excellence Hub. At Weston College, our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job markets. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches.

For further information about Weston College courses, please 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.

Construction company, Hydrock, visited South West Skills Campus last week to engage with learners studying on the T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction.

The day was packed with activities, which gave learners the opportunity to test their skills with activities like planning a new sustainable town, as well as gain top tips for their future endeavours with CV reviews and mock interviews.

Learners also heard from former T Level learner, and current Hydrock employee, Ben, who inspired the learners with his story – having been sat in that very room just 12 months ago.

Ben spoke about his T Level placement with Hydrock, working 315 hours and managing to gain employment on the back of his course, with a Degree Apprenticeship through University Centre Weston.

Engaging with employers forms part of the Construction 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.

Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College said: “We were delighted to welcome Hydrock last week, and it was great to see Ben as well.

“Our learners found the whole day really beneficial, and left feeling inspired – which is what the Career Excellence Hub in Construction is all about!”

You can find out about our construction courses, by clicking 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.