Weston College Recognise Spectacular Student Success at Gala Style Awards Ceremony

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Over 40 students were recognised for their outstanding achievements over the last academic year at Weston College’s annual awards event, Celebration of Success. 

The pandemic may have posed many challenges for learners across the country, but Weston College students raised to that challenge, overcame hurdles, and succeeded despite the odds. Hosted at the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare, Celebration of Success returned for 2022 with a gala style event to recognise the outstanding commitment and achievements of its students. 

Weston College teaches over 30,000 students a year across all levels for school leavers and a diverse range of courses for adults to re-train and upskill. Students of all ages and disciplines were nominated by College staff for their incredible contributions to their study programme and the wider community, accomplishing greatness and succeeding against all odds. 

Once nominated Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Philips CBE decided on the winners for each subject focused award as well as special awards for cross-college achievements. 

As part of the evening, the smartly dressed guests were treated to a delicious 3 course meal, made by the College’s Hospitality and Catering students as well as performances from Level 3 Performing Arts and University Centre Weston’s (UCW) BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students. 

With the prestigious ceremony underway, one-by-one, the winning students were announced and took to the stage with thunderous applause from family, friends, and special guests. They were presented with their award, certificate and prize by Chair of Governors, Andrew Leighton-Price. 

Honeyfield Property Services were the main event sponsors and their Director Jon Patch presented cheques of £250 for our Further Education and Adult Students of the Year, to Charlotte Williams and Chloe O’nion respectively. 

Charrlotte, has since been offered a sponsored Level 4 qualification through her employer. She commented: “I thought it was incredible. I was really shocked and obviously really happy to have won this award. 

“The best thing to make a college really good is the lecturers being welcoming and always there to help and that’s exactly what Weston College provides.” 

Sport Student of the Year Cassidy Escott, who now studies at Loughborough University, commented: “I was lucky enough to be in the same room as Bristol Bears and that work placement really set me up for University.  

“There's so much knowledge in the college and there are no other words that I can say other than ‘outstanding’.” 

Weston College Group Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Philips CBE commented:  

“Congratulations to everyone tonight, getting to this stage from 30,000 learners is no mean feat.  My talented Governors and staff, the excellent learners all point to brilliance.  

“Tonight is a real celebration of the success of our learners and those that have supported them.  

“When I witness first-hand the brilliance and talent of my learners and staff it makes me so very proud. Proud not just for their success but for the dynamism and entrepreneurship of everyone across the organisation.” 

The evening continued with several awards to recognise the teams of Business learners that took part in the Weston Hospicecare Business Enterprise Challenge. This challenge saw local businesses advising and investing in the young entrepreneurs to set up their own business and to generate profits that were donated to Weston Hospicecare, the College presented Weston Hospicecare with a cheque for the total money raised by all the Business Learners, for £2,667.