So you chose to stay at school to complete your further education, but are unsure if you have made the right choice?

We understand different people learn in different ways, and some may choose to stay on at a local sixth form.

However, for the majority of local school leavers, Weston College is a popular option due to the diverse range of courses and wanting to experience a fresh environment with a lively and exciting atmosphere as well. If you're considering changing your mind and joining us, here is how further education at college compares to further education at school, read on!

The way you're taught is different

Here in the college environment the relationship you have with the lecturers is totally different. You won't be expected to call them 'Sir' or 'Miss', and they'll treat you like an adult. They expect you to be able to work more independently, but also trust that you are able to manage your own time and work to deadlines in your own way.

Staff are industry professionals and will make learning more insightful by infusing their real-life industry knowledge into the course to prepare you for the world of work. 

You’ll study a subject area you enjoy

At college, we hope you will choose your course because it’s what you love to do, and something you would eventually like to turn into a career. Whereas in school, you still have to study a ‘core curriculum’, there’s none of that at college.

The only thing you may be asked to take is English or maths GCSE or functional skills if you were unsuccessful at secondary school, but we have plenty of extra support for this.

Your social circle will widen

Prepare to meet new people in a covid secure way! Although you will probably stay close with your secondary school friends, college opens you up to a whole new pool of potential pals. It can be really refreshing to mix with people from different schools and gain a whole new bunch of friends, whether this is from your course or outside of lessons e.g. sports academies.

Your timetable structure is different

Everyone is on different timetables and, depending on your course, you might not be in five days a week. You will have ‘free periods’ or times when you may not have to be in colleges but your friends may be. ‘Free periods’ enable you to catch up on coursework or study for exams. You also don’t need to stay on site for your free periods, the time is your own - but we will encourage you to be productive and proactive in this time, and make use of the excellent LibraryPlus and other facilities to use your time wisely!

Industry placements

All study programmes include work or industry placements, these enable you to gain the first-hand experience you need to stand out from the crowd in the employment market. Many students have gained employment directly from their industry placement!

The new term may have started but there is still time to apply and join us – find out how here >>

The Health and Active Living Skills Centre was a finalist in the recent LABC West of England Building Excellence Awards 2020, for the best educational building. These annual awards celebrate quality and building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship.

Weston College, Midas Construction Ltd and View Architects were recognised for their work to create the Health and Active Living Skills Centre, which boosts a modern learning environment for students studying courses in sport and health and social care, a full-sized 3G sports pitch, multi-purpose indoor sports hall and state-of-the-art hospital ward simulation room. The build had many considerations such as:

• Lighting design had to ensure it mitigated the light spill onto the adjacent hedgerows, due to the area being a bats commuting corridor.
• High voltage cables span above the northern end of the site.
• Wessex Water asset (rising main) runs along the eastern and southern boundaries.
• Hydro modelling took place to ascertain the storage requirements on site with attenuated flows controlled by hydrobrakes ensuring the site does not result in flooding elsewhere.
• The building aimed to, where feasible, use natural ventilation (ie sports areas) - Teaching areas made use of modular hybrid ventilators to achieve BB93 acoustic performance requirements and lower energy consumption compared to a mechanical ventilation alternative.
• The sports hall has large insulated translucent panels to provide light (normally a black box). The insulated translucent cladding provides an improved thermal performance over glass and helps diffuse the light reducing the risk of glare.

The project site was registered under the considerate constructors scheme (achieving an average score of 40/45) meaning they were independently evaluated helping to ensure they are safe and healthy environments for both the workers and the public.

Waste management strategies enabled the contractor to achieve 100% diversion of waste from landfill on the scheme. The Health and Active Living Skills Centre opened in 2019, it was the first of its kind in the region, not only for students of the college but also providing members of the public with access to modern facilities with the aim to improve the general health and wellbeing of the local community.

Read more about the Health and Active Living Skills Centre >>

Investors in People is delighted to award Weston College, a Weston-super-Mare based FE and HE college, the “We invest in people” Platinum accreditation.

Platinum is the highest level of accreditation possible to achieve and is a category that only 2% of organisations secure nationwide.

Building on its existing Gold accreditation and Champion status, the College received Platinum as a result of a whole-College approach to prioritising the development and well-being of its employees.

The quality standard was awarded following rigorous assessment, an online survey, staff interviews and the submission of detailed evidence. The College has had a track record with Investors in People since 1997, rising up the ranks each time it is assessed.

The College has held Gold status since 2010 and secured Champion in 2016. The assessment also included the College’s Prison Education staff who teach in prisons in the South West and South East.

Due to the College’s high score it has ranked in the top 20 organisations UK-wide, meaning it has also been nominated for the Investors in People national Employer of the Year.

Lynne Richards, Investors in People Practitioner who assessed the College commented: “On behalf of Investors in People I’d like to congratulate Weston College. Platinum accreditation on “We invest in people” is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Weston College in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.

“I was particularly impressed with the College’s approach in lockdown, during this unprecedented time the College opted to continue with the assessment, which ensured a real authenticity of process and all interviews with staff happened virtually, whilst they were also faced with new challenges in the remote delivery of outstanding education.”

Commenting on the award, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Weston College Group said: “I am delighted that we have achieved this prestigious status – I believe that the success of an organisation begins and ends with people, and this major achievement is testament to the emphasis we place on putting our staff at the heart of the business.

“Employee engagement and investment are among our highest priorities. This achievement reflects those priorities, as well as the commitment and dedication our people give us in return. "Being recognised at UK level is hugely rewarding and we will continue to work hard to support our employees both personally and professionally.”

The College’s “We invest in people”, platinum accreditation, alongside the achievement of winning Lloyds Business National Business Awards Employer of the Year in 2019 and being the highest ranked college in 2019 Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For list, confirms the College’s status as not just a leading Further Education College, but also as a top employer in the country.

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