News and events

Weston College students and staff turned out in force to support the annual ‘Santa Express Run’ last year! 

Organised by our very own lecturer Nicola Stent, the run takes place on Burnham beach in aid of charities. This year, funds were being raised for Young lives Vs Cancer, Love Musgrove and someone from Burnham who needs to raise money for a bionic arm. 

The event raised an incredibly impressive grand total of £3,924.75! £600 of this figure was raised by Weston College learners, meaning a huge congratulations is in order for them for their generosity and dedication. The students helped to organise runners, play music and assist with refreshments.  

Lecturer & run organiser Nicola Stent said: “we are so proud of our Weston college learners who chose to come along to volunteer, run and promote the event. The attitudes of the learners were outstanding! It was so inspiring to witness the teamwork, comradery and collaboration between different courses and Level 2 and 3 of Public Services.” 

This event was a huge effort to set up and organise so a big congratulations and thank you must go to Nicola for organising it!  

To find out more about our public services courses, 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.

University Centre Weston (UCW) is thrilled to announce its success in securing £272,000 from the Office for Students' (OfS) £40 million degree apprenticeship fund launched in September 2023. As part of the wave 1 funding, UCW stands among the fifty-one colleges and universities that have been awarded a share of a £12 million funding pot to expand degree apprenticeships. 

Today the OfS has unveiled the names of ten colleges and 41 universities that demonstrated the capability to deliver projects aimed at increasing starts and enhancing the diversity of their degree apprentice recruits. The allocated funding is expected to be utilised by the end of July 2024. 

UCW will allocate its funding towards expanding four of its degree apprenticeships, addressing critical skills needs in the workforce. The supported apprenticeships include Digital User Experience Professional, Project Manager, Registered Nurse, and Digital and Technology Solutions Professional. 

John Blake, Director for Fair Access, and Participation at the OfS, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We set universities and colleges a challenge to deliver an extensive range of degree apprenticeships that students from all backgrounds could access. They responded with a wide range of innovative and ambitious bids." 

The OfS launched the fund to increase the number of providers delivering degree apprenticeships, expanding overall numbers, and improving diversity within the higher education sector. The fund specifically aims to support projects targeting students least likely to access higher education. 

This development aligns with evidence from organisations such as the Sutton Trust, which found that degree apprenticeships were more socially exclusive than traditional university courses. Skills Minister Robert Halfon expressed his delight, stating, "I am delighted that the institutions awarded a portion of this £40 million will not only be expanding the number of degree apprenticeships offered but have also demonstrated their commitment to boosting access and participation and prioritising equality of opportunity." 

UCW remains committed to contributing to the growth of capacity and capability within the Higher Education sector, addressing present and future skills needs through its innovative degree apprenticeship programs. 

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.

Former Weston College student Beth Cottle has been named Somerset County FA Young Volunteer of the Year! This remarkable achievement recognizes Beth's outstanding contribution to coaching young talents within the community. 

Beth is a volunteer at the Uphill Juniors, an under 14s Football Club in Weston formed in 2021. To win this exciting award, she used skills and experience gained from her course in Sports Coaching and Performance at Weston College. Beth has been coaching the budding talents of Uphill Juniors with unwavering enthusiasm. The award not only acknowledges her technical expertise in the sport but also highlights her exceptional ability to inspire young people. 

Beth's journey from a Weston College student to a distinguished youth coach exemplifies the transformative power of passion and dedication. As she continues to make a lasting impact on the next generation of athletes, Beth stands as an inspiring figure, motivating others to follow their dreams and contribute to the community through the love of sports. 

Congratulations Beth, we here at Weston College wish you all the best! 

To find out more about sport courses at Weston College, click here. To find out more about sports coaching courses 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.