Weston College Staff Recognised for Outstanding Long-Term Commitment to Student Welfare 

Student Welfare and Pastoral Support Services Manager, Mandy Lee, has won the Outstanding Contribution to Student Services award at the 2022 National Association for Managers of Student Services (NAMSS) Awards!  

Mandy joined Weston College in 2003 as an administrator for students at risk. In 2004 she became a welfare officer and remained the only welfare officer at the College until 2011. For a significant period, Mandy single-handedly played a significant role in the vital support required and then led the step-change required to build the Welfare Team and take the service to what it is in 2022.  

Mandy now leads a service that has over 20 staff, from welfare officers, counsellors, chaplain and wellbeing specialists across three large campuses. Mandy has made the service distinct in its approach in that it offers personalised inclusive support packages under its highly visible brand “Welfare: Here For You” designed to ensure the service is accessible, approachable and aspirational.  

Additionally, she was one of the key catalysts behind ‘Wellbeing@Weston’, a whole college approach that has seen wellbeing packages delivered in the curriculum and whole college theme weeks, as well as a whole term focused on ‘You Matter’. 

The service won the silver award at the Pearson Teaching awards 2018 for FE Team of the Year and is recognised by Ofsted as an example of best practice 

After being shortlisted, Mandy attended the NAMSS conference in Liverpool with Assistant Principal Ben Knocks where the awards were announced. 

Ben added: “Mandy leads her team by example and has made the service integral in supporting the College to achieve its vision of ‘Creating Brighter Futures’.” 

“The work that Mandy does on a one-to-one basis with both our students and her role as a staff mentor is second to none. Mandy is often seen in her office late into the evening supporting our students, and still makes time to support alumni.” 

To further recognise her outstanding commitment, Mandy was presented with a bottle of champagne from Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group. Dr Paul Philips CBE. Dr Paul commented: 

“To Mandy it is more than a job, it is about supporting and transforming lives. From everyone at Weston College, thank-you Mandy for the exceptional impact you continue to have on the lives of our learners. A well-deserved recognition of outstanding commitment!” 

Congratulations to Mandy, a well-deserved recognition for countless hours spent supporting young people over the last 17 years.