Following an assessment, the College was awarded the Matrix standard, which recognises the quality of information, advice and guidance. This re-accreditation – the College first achieved the standard in 2012 – lasts until 2021.

The College was awarded the standard by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. It recognises the work done by the College’s ASPECT; Welfare Support, Additional Learning Support; Apprenticeship Sales and Recruitment; and College Information Services (CIS) teams.

During the visit assessor Bob Moffat spoke to students, staff and several external partners. The assessor commented that over the last few years, the College has developed a progressive, learner-focused and dynamic organisation where staff have risen to the challenges of change and continue to achieve high levels of success in what is a team-based and collaborative culture.

He recognised that the College has a clear and purposeful direction, which is achieved through a measureable strategic plan and associated service standards, underpinned by a meaningful mission statement.

It was highlighted that information, advice and guidance (IAG) provided by the College is consistently impartial, objective and people-centric. The assessor was also impressed with how the College has embraced the use of technology to continuously improve their service.

Marie Beaver, the College’s Strategic Lead School Partnerships and Student Progression, said: “We are delighted that the dedicated work of staff in these areas has been recognised. As a result of monitoring and evaluating learner outcomes, the College has continued to develop and enhance its service, including IAG”.

The new Matrix accreditation is the latest in the list of awards received by the College for the quality of its support to students.

This year Weston College hospitality students will get the opportunity to learn from renowned chef, Mikey Bain.

Mikey enjoys a growing reputation in the industry, having learnt under some of the UK’s best chefs such as Ramon Farthing and Martin Burge who have successfully run Michelin Star restaurants. Having served a great tutelage under these chefs, it wasn’t long before Mikey was running his own kitchen. He had great success here too, having achieved 2 AA rosettes whilst running the kitchen at Beechfield House Hotel. Mikey is now Senior Sous chef at Calcot Manor.

Sandra Bull, Divisional Lead for Hair, Beauty, Hospitality and Catering at Weston College said: “We are delighted to welcome Mikey to the team through the chef’s forum. He has had a great career so far and has a lot of experience to share with our students."

Mikey added: “I am thrilled to be presented with this opportunity, and cannot wait to get started. Learning from industry professionals has really helped me grow into the chef I am today, and I would love to share my expertise to help future chefs.”

For more information on our hospitality offering, click here.

Step 1: Purchasing your bus pass

1. Go to the college website www.weston.ac.uk
2. Click on ‘Payments’ (at the top of the banner)
3. Click on ‘Bus Passes’
4. Scroll to the bottom, click on ‘Read More’
5. Select desired bus pass
6. Click ‘Add to Basket’
7. Click ‘Shopping Basket’
8. Click ‘Proceed to Checkout’
9. Log into existing account / Crete new user account
10. Enter ‘Student ID’
11. Click ‘Continue’
12. Select payment method
13. Enter payment and billing details
14. Continue through until payment complete

Step 2: Access your Student Email

1. Google search 'Office 365'
2. Select https://www.office.com/
3. Sign in with Weston College email and password (sent out with enrolment information)

You will receive an email confirming your bus pass purchase code to this email address.  Please note: it can take up to 24hrs offer enrolment for the email to come through.

Step 3: First Bus m-Tickets app

1. Download the First Bus m-Tickets app from the app store
2. Search for ‘Weston-super-Mare’ under region
3. Select ‘Buy Ticket’
4. Select ‘Student Travel’
5. Select the bus pass you have purchased a voucher code for. Please ignore the cost listed as this is the rate charged to the College, not the subsidised rate that the learner pays
6. Add the bus pass to your basket
7. Select pay now, where you will be asked to create an account
8. Enter voucher code purchased from the College

How to use your mTicket:

Your mTickets will appear as 'purchased' under 'My Ticket Wallet' in your App.

When you want to use it, choose the ticket you want (they are listed from oldest at the top to newest at the bottom) and select 'Activate now' – just to double check, you'll be asked to confirm that you want to activate this ticket.

When a ticket is 'Activated', the App will generate a moving image ticket on your phone's screen; this will stay active for the amount of time the ticket is valid for.

You need to show this to the driver when you get on the bus so they can check the ticket.