News and events
We aim to keep you up-to-date with the very latest Weston College news and events. Take a look below at what's going on at the College!
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Latest events at Weston College
Latest news and developments at Weston College
Weston College is delighted to announce its 'Good' Ofsted rating, achieving this commendation across all eight areas, the College was also awarded the highest outcome of ‘Strong’ in meeting skills needs in the region under the new enhanced Ofsted inspection. This achievement caps off a remarkable year for the College, building on its earlier success in securing the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold for Higher Education (HE), where its University Centre Weston (UCW) was recognised as among the best places to study at university level in the UK. These accolades underscore Weston College's unwavering dedication to delivering excellence in education.
Just 9% of UK colleges boast a similar level of proficiency in meeting skills requirements as evidenced by the recent inspection's Skills section. Through strong leadership and strategic partnerships, the report highlighted how the College aligns the curriculum closely with local skill improvement plans. By actively responding to the training needs of employers and incorporating feedback from key stakeholders, the College continuously enhances its ability to prepare learners and apprentices for the evolving demands of the workforce.
Also in the Ofsted inspection, Weston College demonstrated excellent practices in providing high-quality learning experiences for learners and apprentices. The College's facilities, designed to mirror real-world workplaces and industries, have been instrumental in nurturing the skills and professional behaviours necessary for success in learners’ future careers. The inspection also reported that the teachers' effective utilisation of these resources has significantly motivated learners and apprentices to acquire new knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen fields.
Another highlight of the inspection was the College's dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment, where learners and apprentices feel confident and supported.
"We are immensely proud of the recognition awarded to Weston College by both Ofsted and the Teaching Excellence Framework," said Jacqui Ford, Interim Principal. "These accolades are a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality education and preparing our learners and apprentices for successful careers. The scale and breadth of Weston College's offerings, combined with the stringent new inspection criteria, make these achievements particularly noteworthy. It's especially rewarding to know that our students and apprentices feel secure, enthusiastic about learning, and equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications to venture into the workforce confidently. We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and excellence in everything we do."
Andrew Leighton-Price, Chair of Governors at Weston College added:
“It's fantastic to be acknowledged for the dedication and effort we invest in delivering top-class education and addressing the needs of our community. The transformative impact of further education is undeniable, and it's remarkable to witness the achievements of our students and the unwavering commitment of our staff and governors. My appreciation goes out to everyone involved in providing this exceptional education — our learners, staff, governors, as well as the employers, partners, and stakeholders who collaborate with us."
The full report, can be read by clicking 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.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Weston College recognises the importance of promoting safe online practices among its learners. In anticipation of Safer Internet Day on Tuesday, February 6th, the College is collaborating with the British Computer Society (BCS) to empower learners to navigate digital spaces responsibly while maximising the benefits they offer for learning and growth.
Safer Internet Day serves as an opportunity to inspire positive change, and Weston College is fully committed to this cause. To mark the occasion, learners are encouraged to participate in the "Big Safer Internet Survey," which aims to gather insights into their concerns and experiences online. This anonymous survey will provide valuable feedback that informs the College's digital policies and initiatives.
In addition to the survey, learners will engage in a fun and interactive password cracker cyber security game, developed in-house by our digital technologists. These activities aim to raise awareness about cybersecurity in an engaging and accessible manner.
Recognising the importance of addressing local challenges, Weston College has also created a comprehensive digital tutorial specifically tailored for 16-19 learners. This tutorial equips learners with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to make safer online choices, addressing concerns identified within the student body.
"We believe that fostering a safe online environment is essential for empowering learners to thrive in today's digital world," said Jo Philpott, Senior Vice Principal at Weston College. "Through collaborative efforts with the BCS and our dedicated teams, we are proud to offer a range of resources and activities that promote digital literacy and safety."
To further support the initiative, Weston College invites educators, technologists, employers, policymakers, and digital experts to join a networking opportunity at the Loxton Campus from 4pm-5pm on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024. This flagship Safer Internet Day event, organised in partnership with the BCS, provides a platform for discussing local and global strategies for promoting online safety.
"We are excited to bring together stakeholders from various sectors to champion a safer internet for all," added Jo Philpott. "By collaborating and sharing insights, we can make meaningful contributions to digital safety at both local and global levels."
Guest speakers at the event include:
Professor Victoria Baines FBCS, Online Trust, Safety, and Cybersecurity Expert Prof. Victoria Baines Julia Adamson MBE, Managing Director Education and Public Benefit at BCS Julia Adamson MBE; Clare Moody, Co-Chief Executive, Equally Ours Clare Moody; Daniel Aldridge, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at BCS Dan Aldridge - OpenUK
Daniel Aldridge, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the British Computer Society, said: "We know online bullying, fraud and exploitation are huge concerns for young people and their families.
"This year, we at the British Computer Society are partnering with students and apprentices at Weston College to champion a safer internet for all through ‘local action inspiring global change’.
"We're bringing world-class speakers to Weston to engage with our excellent learners and educators here, raise awareness, identify opportunities and inspire action."
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.
Students on the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design have been working on a special project!
As part of the course learners have been spending 9 weeks in rotating specialisms where they work in Visual Communication, Surface and Form and Interdisciplinary Fine Art. The graphic work is part of a 1-day project on pen to Mouse and the textile, fashion and costume work was a 3-week project around the theme of Order and Chaos. The students take these loose themes and investigate further how they can make the project personal to them. Each student will do practical experimentation as primary research and research into other artists for secondary research.
This project has had a fantastic impact on the students. They have shown that they are able to problem solve, use exhaustive idea generation and understand the theory behind their own and other artist's work. In addition to this they have learned about using varied materials and processes, as well as expanding on their creative process as a whole and producing complete pieces of work that will support their practical portfolio when attending upcoming University interviews.
Lecturer Rachel Clayton said: "the students have been working hard throughout these exciting projects, building on their practical skills, and producing sophisticated outcomes through extensive workshops. They have used their broad practical knowledge and in-depth theoretical understanding to create work that is ambitious, playful and of a high standard.
“This work will support their portfolios for their upcoming University interviews across the country, including prestigious institutions such as Central St Martins, Goldsmiths, Camberwell and London College of Fashion to name a few. We are so proud of what they are achieving and the quality of the work they are producing- well done!"
This project forms part of the Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's 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.
Congratulations to the learners who created these impressive pieces!
Find out more about the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, click here.
For more creative arts 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.