Creating brighter futures

This week the Governing Body of Weston College, announced Pat Jones as their new College Principal, to start in July 2024.

Pat is currently the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Finance at the Bedford College Group, with a wealth of curriculum and further and higher educational experience.

On hearing of her successful appointment Pat (pictured above) said, "I am delighted to be joining Weston College as their new principal and CEO at this exciting time. 

"Weston have achieved so much, and I look forward to leading the dedicated and talented team, building upon the many successes."

Andrew Leighton-Price Chair of Governors said "Pat has held a distinguished career in education of over 20 years, and is an innovative National Leader of Further Education (NFLE).

"More importantly she has the inclusive learning ethos that we champion so strongly here at Weston, with experience of working across all our learner groups.

"Combining this with her impressive financial acumen as a global management accountant, and strong background in community and employer partnerships, made Pat a very obvious choice, in what was already a strong field of candidates, from a diverse range of backgrounds.

"As a Board of Governors, we extend a very warm welcome for her to join us, and we are confident that Pat’s leadership can deliver the next chapter of growth, innovation and success for the College, in order to continue to create even brighter futures for our learners."

We had the privilege of hosting Lisa Phillips, Mark Vearncombe, Nick Denham and Matt Maynard from Bakers Dolphin Coaches, who delivered an enlightening presentation to our Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Full-Time Motor Vehicle learners. The session provided invaluable insights into the rich history and evolution of Bakers Dolphin, from its humble beginnings offering funeral services via horse and carriage in 1889 to its current stature as a leading coach operator business boasting a fleet of over 100 coaches. 

Bakers Dolphin Coaches, a renowned provider of services to schools, coach tours both domestically and internationally, as well as private hire, shared their journey of growth and adaptation with our students. The highlight of the presentation was the announcement of their forthcoming move to a new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility near the Food Works in Weston-Super-Mare. This relocation underscores their commitment to modernising and expanding their workshop operations, with plans for a 10-bay centre designed to accommodate their scaling needs. 

During the engaging session, the Bakers Dolphin team elucidated the diverse career opportunities available in PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) Service and Maintenance operations. Each learner received a comprehensive insight into the job role, complemented by a detailed explanation of the activities integral to the position. As a token of appreciation, the students were gifted goody bags containing a Bakers Dolphin PCV inspection/service report along with a tyre depth gauge, fostering practical learning experiences. 

Further enriching the experience, students were treated to an immersive tour of one of the coaches brought to the site, offering a firsthand glimpse into the operations and upkeep of these vehicles. Students displaying a keen interest were extended a special invitation to tour the current workshop facilities and offered the invaluable opportunity for a week-long work experience placement. This initiative aims to provide students with hands-on exposure, aiding them in making informed decisions about potential career paths within Bakers Dolphin, whether through direct employment or formal apprenticeship training. 

This guest visit forms part of the Motor Vehicle Careers Excellence Hub. At Weston College our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with the real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job market. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches.   

To discover more about our Motor Vehicle 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.

This week we welcomed back former Weston College learner, Ellie, to share her inspiring journey with our animal management students.

Ellie's journey began during her time at Weston College, where she seized the opportunity to secure an industry placement at Puxton Park, laying the foundation for her career in animal care. From there, her path led her to being offered a role as an animal keeper—a testament to her commitment and skill in the field.

However, Ellie's dream is to work with monkeys, and she is currently on a sabbatical, which included a 3-month voluntary placement in South Africa.

For two months, Ellie lent her expertise to Monkey Helpline, contributing to the rehabilitation of wild primates. This hands-on experience allowed her to witness first hand the challenges and rewards of primate conservation efforts. Subsequently, she spent a month with International Primate Rescue as a primate care assistant, playing a crucial role in rescuing primates from the perils of the pet trade.

During her spell volunteering, she has been offered a full-time job, showcasing the fantastic work she has been doing.

Subject Area Manager for Animal Management, Laura Link, said: “It was great to see Ellie, who shared all about her fantastic experiences with our students.

“She only had one-week back in the UK, during her sabbatical, so we were very lucky that she came to visit before heading back to South Africa.

“Ellie has been on an incredible journey, and her passion really shines through, which our learners found really inspiring. It showed that through studying Animal Management, you can achieve your dream career, and work anywhere in the world.”

This guest speaker forms part of the Animal Management Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes.

You can find out more about our Animal Management courses, by clicking here.