Will

My name is Will, and I joined Weston College in January 2015, having previously worked at a local secondary school as a newly qualified teacher. 

I was looking for an opportunity to teach students at a college level after completing my teacher training when the perfect job opportunity came up at Weston College. This involved teaching students who are passionate about learning and Computing and joining a team of likeminded staff members who were as equally driven to provide students with a high-quality education. 

I work full time and spend a good part of my day with my Esports students. We work together to build both technical and soft skills that enable them to be ready to progress further into either university or the world of work with a uniquely wide skillset and knowledge about the industry they are aiming to progress into. The rest of my day is usually spent with Computing students teaching Emerging Technologies or Social Media Marketing, arming them with the technical knowledge that aids with them being well informed and capable of understanding the industry of Computing on a wide scale. 

Throughout my time at the college, I have had opportunities to further develop my teaching practice with the aid of an excellent quality team and annual observations processes which opens discussions for positive reflective sessions as well as goal and target setting which gives focus to improving my practices. This year I have had the opportunity to go on day trips to different colleges, to experience the standards and environments their students have, as well as going to CPD related conferences. 

At Weston College I have had the opportunity to get involved with the British Esports Student Championships, through this we have managed to get students to the Finals and Semi-Finals of multiple games, as well as networking with other colleges and organisations invested in this area. As a result of this I have had the pleasure of participating in events that help to develop student’s professional practices via organised online events as well as hosting in-person tournament events for local schools.  

One of my proudest achievements is raising over £500 for charity in a single 4-hour event that was in collaboration with Coventry College. I have also been heavily involved in annual charity weeks meaning that since working at Weston College I have raised over £10,000 for charity through various means. 

The best thing about working at Weston College is the people I get to work with. There is an excellent ethos with high expectations and standards for both staff and students, as well as excellent comradery within the team. There is a constant ideology to support each other and work together to make the environment as enjoyable as it can be.