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LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

Business Awards Ballroom

As the year draws to a close, Weston College reflects upon a year filled with exciting and dynamic events that have left a lasting mark on the college community. From celebrating the achievements of its students at Celebration of Success and Business Awards, hosting Open Evenings, and showcasing the incredible work of our Creative Arts learners at the Summer Festival! Let us delve into some of the standout occasions that defined the college's calendar... 

Assistant principal sam mayhew smiling at camera

We are delighted to share with you that Sam Mayhew, our Assistant Principal for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Years Honours List. 

Sam has been recognised for her commitment to supporting the Further Education sector in developing Inclusive Practice alongside staff at the College, as well as the pioneering work she has undertaken as the lead for the College’s work as one of the first ever national SEND Centres for Excellence.

Sam started her career at Weston College at the age of 16 as a Level 3 Health and Social Care student before progressing into her a paid role as a Support Worker. Having gained a degree in Learning Disabilities, Sam returned to Weston College where her real training began. 

Over the years she has progressed through several roles and has been supported and developed by outstanding managers and colleagues. She has been part of an innovative team who have developed groundbreaking provision that has enhanced inclusive practice, facilitating outstanding outcomes for learners with SEND and their families, being recognised nationally as a Centre for Excellence in SEND in 2019. 

After 25 years of service Sam and colleagues are drawing on that wealth of experience and knowledge to support the FE sector to play a key role in responding to the SEND reforms and building innovative provision for young people with SEND and their families.   

Weston College takes great pride in Sam and her remarkable achievement. This accomplishment serves as a true reflection of the efforts put forth not only by her but also by other dedicated staff members at the College. They have worked diligently to elevate the profile and quality of SEND provision within our local area. 

Moreover, they have been instrumental in disseminating this approach, including our specialist model, throughout the broader Further Education (FE) sector. Inclusion and SEND represent a constantly evolving national and local landscape, demanding ongoing energy and innovation to ensure that everyone receives appropriate support. 

We are incredibly fortunate that the endeavours of Sam and her colleagues contribute to enhancing and embracing our entire community, further cementing that as a college, we are dedicated to placing our learners, including those with SEND, at the core of all our activities. 

Commenting on the award. Sam said: “I am incredibly honoured and extremely humbled to have been given this award. Throughout my time at the College, I have been fortunate to work with and learn from many inspirational people and students, and I owe a lot to all of them and my family too. 

"I feel very privileged to have been able to work nationally with so many colleges to develop truly inclusive learning and support for those with SEND. 

"My job at the College is a job that I love doing, working with an immensely hard working and talented team; who have contributed in a number of ways and I must thank them all for their dedication, support and the generous amounts of time they have given to enable Weston College and the Centre for Excellence to have the impact it has.”

Students at Harry Potter World

As the year draws to a close, we’re taking a look back on a year filled with exciting trips for our students! Our 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. As part of this we are able to offer incredible opportunities like the trips below... 

6 people stood together smiling

2023 has been another exciting year at Weston College!

Throughout the year we have seen amazing new initiatives, incredible success and high profile visits.

Here are some of the highlights of the year:

Group of UCW Staff celebrating

We’re proud to say that we have won a wide range of awards this year! It’s incredibly special to receive recognition for what we do and is a great source of pride for Weston College staff and students.  

These awards are a testament to the hard work of our amazing staff and students. Congratulations on an amazing year everyone!  

 

Tony Jay delivering guest lecture.

2023 has been a fantastic year for guests visiting our learners here at Weston College! It’s time to look back through at the guests, each bringing a unique perspective and fresh knowledge to our students.  

Each guest lecture and guest workshop that is delivered helps learners to build their knowledge in a wider context than they may have seen before, allowing them to learn about new careers and businesses.  

 

 

Purplex Workshop Inspires Learners 

Our business learners had an insightful workshop from local marketing agency Purplex Marketing. Adi Day and Beth Patch spoke to the learners about what B2B (business-to-business) marketing entails and how they can progress into this industry.  

Read the full story here!

Purplex marketing delivering a workshop

Loud Speaker Workshops Motivate Learners 

All learners were invited to Loud Speaker ‘Game of Life’ Workshops. These aimed to help young people build their resilience and confidence as well as raising their aspirations, increasing their emotional intelligence & developing unique personal storytelling skills.   

Our Head of Personal Development and Student Voice, Antonia Travers said: “The workshops were highly energetic and motivational, they supported the development of learner's communication, resilience and inspired them to think about their futures and aim high.” 

Read all about it here! 

Richard from Loud Speaker raising his hand.

Alex Lipinksi  

Students were able to meet and interview Alex Lipinski in April. Alex’s advice to the students was to keep their own identity with music and to be honest in their songs. He also gave the students some tips on the best way to get their music out onto the scene.  

Later in the year, Alex came back to Weston College in October to perform a live album recording! Alex said: “I wanted to give something back; so, we’re bringing the band, a professional sound engineer, and top-flight videographer to work collaboratively with students at the college, in a real, and incredibly important piece of work.” 

Read both stories here and here. 

Alex Lipinski performing in the Weston College Music Performance Space

ESOL Students Enjoy Rounders and a Dyson Guest Lecture 

Our ESOL learners had an exciting guest lecture from Dyson, where representatives told learners about their cutting-edge inventions, their competitive edge in the market, and the intricate journey of developing and testing new products.   

After the informative session, students were given the chance to interact with Dyson robots. They had the opportunity to control and code the robots to follow routes on a map. 

Read the full story here. 

ESOL learners controlling Dyson robots

Later in the year, ESOL students were able to team up with Avon and Somerset Police, as well as Avon Fire and Rescue in a fun rounders match, designed to build community ties.  

ESOL lecturer Liam said: “The atmosphere in the sports hall was welcoming, good-humoured and inclusive. Adding to this the police and fire service were kind enough to bring food along and take the time chatting and getting to know the learners.” 

Read about the match here! 

Group picture of all participants in the rounders match.

Apprentices Inspire Students – Visit Somerset Industry Day 

Weston College has fantastic links to local businesses, including Visit Somerset. Apprentices got involved with the students, and shared their experience of their apprenticeship, by setting up a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch for students. 

At Weston College, it is always a thrill to see Apprentices who are flourishing in their career journey, investing back and mentoring! 

Read about it here. 

Visit Somerset apprentices

Guinot Visit Beauty Therapy Learners 

Our Level 3 Beauty Therapy learners were treated to a guest lecture and demonstration from an industry professional at Guinot, the No. 1 Beauty Salon in France. 

Learners had the opportunity to further develop electrical therapy technical skills, gaining knowledge and information about the treatments and products available.  

Read all about it here! 

Learner taking part in demonstration with Guinot

Mollie's Deliver Exciting Guest Lecture 

Our Travel and Tourism and Business students were fortunate to receive a guest lecture from Lindsey Williams, who is the Head of Sales at Mollie's. Learners were given an insight into the company’s plans to expand into new markets, as well as getting a sneak peek into some new initiatives.  

Read about it here.

Lindsey delivering guest lecture at front of classroom and pointing to the board showcasing Mollies

Former Detective's Fascinating Lecture 

Former detective for Gloucestershire Constabulary Tony Jay captivated A Level law, Level 3 Criminology and Access to HE Social Sciences students with his firsthand account of the notorious Fred and Rose West serial killer case. 

Read the story here. 

Tony Jay delivering guest lecture.

Leroy Rosenior Visits Media Students 

Weston College received a visit from a very special guest, Leroy Rosenior. Leroy is a former West Ham, Fulham, QPR and Bristol City football player, who visited our Year 2 Media Production students to assist with their Broadcast Journalism project. 

Leroy does incredibly important work as an anti-racism campaigner, educating schools and colleges about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. He is an ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. Leroy’s work to remove discrimination is so strong that it even earned him an MBE in 2019. 

Read the full story here!

Leroy Rosenior with students.

 

That's it for this year. We can't wait to show all of the guest speakers and workshops coming in 2024! 

Woman on virtual course

In January, Weston College – one of three National Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Need and Disabilities (SEND), is launching a FREE Understanding Autism course.

The 10-week virtual course is an opportunity to empower parents and carers of children and young people on the autism spectrum. Commencing on January 17th and taking place on the 10 following Wednesdays, this course aims to foster a supportive community and equip participants with valuable insights into autism.

The course is designed to be accessible for as many people as possible, with two different time slots (10am-12pm or 6pm-8pm) offering flexibility to accommodate busy schedules.

There are several key topics, which will be covered during the course:

Comprehensive Understanding of Autism

Delve into the fundamentals of autism, gaining insights into its nature, characteristics, and the diverse spectrum it encompasses.

Communication Difficulties

Explore effective communication strategies tailored for individuals on the autism spectrum, promoting better interaction and understanding.

Sensory Issues

Develop an understanding of sensory sensitivities and learn practical approaches to navigate and support individuals with sensory challenges.

Collaborating with Professionals

Gain valuable tips on effective collaboration with professionals, ensuring a holistic support network for autistic individuals.

Legislation and Rights

Navigate the legal landscape surrounding autism, empowering participants with knowledge about relevant legislation and the rights of individuals with autism.

Community Engagement

This virtual course serves as a platform for parents and carers to come together, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, share best practices, and build a supportive network. The course is not just about learning but about connecting with others who share similar journeys.

If you are interested in this course, please email lucy.behan@weston.ac.uk.

Students performing at the Wintertainment Showcase

Our incredible Level 3 Performing Arts students showed off their talents at the Wintertainment Showcase!

The Wintertainment Showcase is a variety show, allowing Performing Arts learners from all three pathways of Dance, Musical Theatre and Acting to put all the hard work they have done on display. Learners have been practicing and preparing for the Wintertainment Showcase for weeks, fine tuning their performances and honing their skills to be the best they can be.  

Direction and choreography were in the hands of our fantastic lecturers; Joe, Fiona, Lisa and Marjory. Some students went one step further however, choreographing their own impressive performances. 

Our Dance students wowed audiences, demonstrating a wide range of styles. These were swing, jazz, contemporary and commercial. The clear favourite, however, was a dazzling performance of "Backstage Romance" from Moulin Rouge the musical. Acting students were also on top form, performing monologues from a variety of plays as well as a group piece from a play called "Metamorphosis". Musical theatre students rounded out the variety perfectly, with a blend of solo songs and monologues. The highlight of the Musical Theatre performers however were the excerpts from "Fame", "Come From Away" and "Need A Little Christmas". 

All of the effort and hard work clearly paid off for the learners as the feedback they received was outstanding. Friends and family watched with pride and congratulated the learners on an excellent show. Lecturers were also incredibly impressed with lecturer Joe saying this: “The Level 3 Performing Arts Wintertainment Showcase was a huge success, showing our incredibly talented students in this wonderful variety show. They have progressed and developed their skills in confidence, professionalism and skills which has prepared them for our end of year full scale musical and play at the end of the academic year. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them!” 

The performance had a strong impact, teaching learners about how a professional show is put together. Learners were able to boost their own vital industry skills including working with headset microphones, understanding lighting cues and learning to work together as a large cast of performers for a live audience. 

This incredible showcase forms part of the Creative Arts 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. 

Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic show!  

 

To find out more about our performing arts courses, click here!

Marketing and Communications

The marketing department is responsible for promoting Weston College to the public, by promoting the Colleges courses, achievements and events.

Our aims are to attract learners to study within the Weston College Group, build and grow the College’s brand and highlight its reputation, and promote the College Group’s success, student progression and outstanding support for our learners.

The marketing department manages the College’s websites and official social media accounts, runs advertising campaigns, creates press releases, and manages many of the College Group’s events, such as Graduation, the Celebration of Success and the Business Awards.

We produce a wide range of publications including our full-time, Higher Education and part-time prospectuses, course leaflets and posters, and other documents such as the College’s annual report, magazines and newsletters, course brochures and the student handbook.

Weston College is committed to providing accurate and timely information for local, regional and national media, and the general public.

The marketing team is available between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays. You can get in touch with us by emailing marketing@weston.ac.uk.

All of our press releases are uploaded to the news section of our websites. News from the academies we sponsor, including the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College, can be found on the news section of the Inspirational Futures Trust’s website. News pertaining to our Higher Education Provision can be found on www.ucw.ac.uk.

The marketing department produces most imagery and film in house, and keeps an extensive archive of the photographs it takes. If you would like a copy of an image featuring you or a member of your family, please contact us at photography@weston.ac.uk.

Our photos of graduation and many other events can be found on the College’s Facebook page. High quality images can be found on the College’s Flickr account.

Weston College is able to accommodate many requests to provide locations for film and photography. The College has a range of attractive, modern and adaptable facilities which can be viewed on our youtube channel.

We also are able to provide heritage facilities such as the Victorian Hans Price designed Conference Centre and, from September 2017, the 1927 Winter Gardens Pavilion.

For booking details, contact marketing@weston.ac.uk.

For enquiries about sponsoring key events such as Celebration of Success, Business Breakfast, Business Awards and Graduation, please contact the marketing team by email at marketing@weston.ac.uk.

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One Message, Different Voices

Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

Halo workplace logo

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.

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