Creating brighter futures

It’s official, University Centre Weston (UCW) is among the best places to study at university level in the UK, according to the results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) published on September 28th 2023.

The TEF panel considered the overall rating for UCW to be Gold, placing it among the country’s best university and college higher education providers. This recognition by the TEF Panel reflects UCW’s unwavering dedication to providing outstanding education to a diverse student body and places it within the top 20% in the UK and one of only six colleges nationally to achieve the status.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

The TEF does this by assessing and rating universities and colleges for excellence above a set of minimum requirements for quality and standards.

Providers that take part in the TEF receive an overall rating as well as two underpinning ratings – one for the student experience and one for student outcomes.

The ratings reflect the extent to which a provider delivers an excellent experience and outcomes for its mix of undergraduate students and across the range of its undergraduate courses and subjects.

Hundreds of higher education institutions in England, Wales and Scotland have had their teaching quality, learning environment, and student outcome data assessed by the TEF Panel and rated as either Gold, Silver, Bronze or Requires Improvement.

The TEF Panel judged that UCW delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students, which is of the highest quality found in Britain.

Jacqui Ford, Interim Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group expressed her delight, saying,

“This achievement represents a significant milestone for our region, confirming the excellence of our institution for higher education. Furthermore, it underscores the Weston College Group’s positive impact on learners both locally and nationally. Attaining Gold status also validates UCW’s approach of seamlessly blending high-quality academic learning with practical, career-oriented education, providing our students and university partners with confidence in our offerings.”

Ford extended her gratitude to the dedicated staff at UCW, Weston College, and partner universities, recognising their instrumental role in achieving this remarkable status. She noted:

"Our journey to this point would not have been possible without the invaluable support of my predecessor Sir Paul Phillips who led the Weston College Group since 2001 until his retirement in August 2023, our partner universities, the University of the West of England, Bath Spa University, and Hartpury University, as well as UCW’s Vice Principal for Higher Education, Sadie Skellon. The dedication of our staff, and governors, and the collaborative efforts with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and North Somerset Council have also been essential in reaching this remarkable achievement.”

UCW’s Vice Principal for Higher Education, Sadie Skellon added:

“The TEF Panel has recognised the efforts of the talented and dedicated students and staff that we have at UCW and across the Weston College Group, and the value of the outstanding support we provide.

“UCW is committed to being an inclusive institution, promoting participation from students from all backgrounds and supporting students to ensuring positive outcomes for all. We have strategic aims to articulate this and are pleased the OfS has acknowledged that UCW ‘tailors provision and succeeds in its aim of supporting underrepresented groups of students from its region to achieve in their studies’.

In addition to praise for the student experience, UCW was praised for its supportive learning environment, offering students access to a wide range of high-quality academic support tailored to their needs. The institution has also demonstrated a commitment to embedding employability and entrepreneurship into its course content, preparing students for successful futures.

UCW’s dedication to research, innovation, scholarship, professional practice, and employer engagement further enhances the academic experience, contributing to the institution’s outstanding standing in the TEF.

This Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework solidifies UCW’s status as a leading institution committed to excellence in higher education.

At Weston College, we celebrate Black History year-round, and in October, we amplify voices in celebration of Black History Month (BHM). This year, the official theme is “Saluting Our Sisters”. 

Throughout October, we invite our students and staff to join us for enlightening events and talks featuring influential speakers, educators and artists as we pay tribute to women of colour who paved the way for progress and explore how their legacy shapes our future. All events will be held at the Health and Active Living Skills Centre, Loxton Road, and all staff and students are encouraged to attend any of the below events, please book your place here.

Korede Adedoyin – Founder & Operations Director at the Vemoye Foundation | Raising Africa’s Future Workforce 

October 6th, 11am – 108 

Korede discusses the Black British experience, linking it to education in Africa, sharing her story, and offering insights on the diaspora’s future in health and education. 

Adaku Onuegbu BSc – Psychology graduate who completed her Level 3 in Health & Social Care with Weston College 

October 6th, 11am – Communal Space  

Adaku offers a personal narrative, guiding us through her journey as a learner at Weston College. She illuminates fresh avenues to realise your aspirations within the field of health & social care. 

Louise Hill-Davis Ma, Ba, BSc – Lecturer and Assessor in Health and Social Care – Independent Creative Facilitator – Performance Artist 

October 11th, 11am – 206  

Louise dives into the compelling topic of maternal mortality rates in the UK. She'll weave her personal experience into the narrative. Join us for a session that explores disparities and factors and calls for policy reform. 

Yemmy’s Kitchen - a caterer who specialises in baking. You are invited to come and taste some traditional West African dishes with a twist 

October 6th, 12-1pm – 119  

Nigerian Jollof Rice (vegan), Chicken Gizzards (Halal) and puff puff for dessert. Served as a West African canape. 

Sheriden Akintayo BSc – Social Worker for South Gloucestershire Council and Psychology graduate 

October 6th, 11am – 117 

Sheriden shares her personal journey and opens a conversation on the future of social care, delving into the Care Act and Intersectionality. Join her as she navigates the present landscape and charts our course toward a more inclusive future in health and social care. 

Bongai Mutema LLB, MA – Solicitor in Local Government. Local Authority Solicitor, Court of Protection and Adult Social Care Law 

October 10th, 11am- 119  

Introducing Bongai Mutema, a local government Solicitor with a unique background in Health & Social Care. She’ll discuss the legal framework for adult health and social cate, drawing from her personal experiences and insights. 

Weston College's "Saluting Our Sisters" theme not only celebrates the achievements of black women now and throughout history but also underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in education. By highlighting the stories of these incredible women, the College aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all students, regardless of their background. By honouring the past, our aim is to help shape a more inclusive and equitable future. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Book your place, here.

In a world where the demand for skilled healthcare and social care professionals continues to grow, fostering strong partnerships between educational institutions and employers is not just beneficial but essential. Weston College recently showcased this by celebrating the connections already in place with employers, and looking at how they can be developed, plus looking at how new connections can be made. The College hosted a Health & Social Care Employer Forum with a gathering of employer partners, including Sirona Care & Health, University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust, Worcester Lodge, and Access your Care, all coming together to explore opportunities for collaboration and engagement.

The day began with a tour of the state-of-the-art Health and Active Living Skills Centre. Employers were given the opportunity to explore the cutting-edge facilities, equipped with the latest technology and resources designed to simulate real-world healthcare scenarios. This immersive experience allowed employers to gain insight into the quality of education and training students receive at Weston College.

The event also featured engaging talks by the college's staff, alongside focus group discussions to discuss the various educational pathways for learners to access careers in the sector and how the College can support employers to access funding to train their workforce. Discussions centred around apprenticeships, T Levels, and other ways employers could actively participate in shaping the future workforce of the sector.

The day concluded with certificates of appreciation being awarded to the attending employers, recognising their support of learners who attended an industry work placement alongside their course in the previous academic year. 

The Health & Social Care forum at Weston College was undoubtedly a resounding success. It not only provided a platform for employers to understand the college's commitment to producing highly skilled professionals but also encouraged them to actively engage in the learner journey.

Catrin Evans, Head of Class-based Learning for Health & Sport said “This event served as a catalyst for developing employer partnerships that have impact, which is an essential part of our Health & Social Care Careers Excellence Hub. Our aim is to create ‘real world ready’ learners, providing opportunities to engage with employers during their course, and understanding of the breadth of careers available in the sector, and giving learners opportunities to progress to these careers. We really enjoyed the conversations with employers as their input to curriculum design and content is key to the College providing future professionals for the sector.”

Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth & Employer Partnerships said “In addition to discussing opportunities for employers to engage with college learners, the forum provided an opportunity for employers to shape the training offered by the College for their workforce. We see our Health & Active Living Skills Centre as being a key hub for employer training, and look forward to working with the sector offer high-quality training delivered by our staff who are professionals from industry.”

The Health & Social Care forum at Weston College was a resounding success that showcased the college's commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry. By inviting employers to explore their cutting-edge facilities, engage in insightful discussions, and recognize their contributions, Weston College has set the stage for meaningful collaborations that will benefit students and the healthcare and social care sectors for years to come.

To attend future forums and discover the opportunities available to access funding to train your workforce, email employers@weston.ac.uk.