<p>Kirsty Garrett, an apprentice at Westhaven School, won the title of Teaching Assistant Apprentice of the Year at the Weston College Business Awards 2016.</p>

<p>Now in the sixth year, the awards recognise the exceptional achievements of employers and apprentices across a range of industries.</p>

<p>Kirsty was chosen as the teaching assistant category winner by a panel of judges and was presented with her award on stage by keynote speaker, Sally Gunnell.</p>

<p>The judges chose Kirsty as the winner as she has worked consistently hard throughout her apprenticeship. She is highly motivated and has been proactive in her own organisation and development, taking steps to plan ahead when she has found aspects of the learning challenging.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kirsty has developed in her role and is supporting a range of pupils with a variety of special needs. Kirsty has been instrumental in setting up and delivering an extra-curricular dance club at the school.</p>

<p>Her employer said: “Kirsty continually works to a very high standard in all aspects of the job. She supports a range of pupils with a variety of special needs and has a caring and professional approach with pupils, parents and staff.”</p>

<p>For more information on the Weston College Business Awards visit: <a href="http://www.weston.ac.uk/businessawards">www.weston.ac.uk/businessawards…;

<p>Weston College is investing in its Education and Early Years provision due to the sector demand - it’s estimated that in 2020 over 143,000 under twos and 1,271,500 three to four-years olds benefitted from funded early education*, and this figure is set to grow.</p>

<p>Our brand new £600k Education and Early Years facility at the Knightstone Campus will be open this September to meet the growing demand from employers both locally and regionally to train potential staff to join the industry and develop existing employees.</p>

<p>This brand-new facility will include a:</p>

<ul>
<li>Community Room – to allow us to host stay and play and other community sessions.</li>
<li>Child and Healthcare Room – a multi-functional space for food prep and mid-session naps.</li>
<li>Primary School Room – an engaging environment full of multi-curricular activities.</li>
<li>Creative and Exploratory Atelier – a non-traditional learning environment to host messy-play, science activities and more.</li>
<li>Observation room – includes one-way mirrors so learners do not influence a child’s play.</li>
</ul>

<p>Sandra Bull, Dean of the Faculty said: “It’s really important for us that all learners get real-life experience to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market. We work with a number of early education employers to ensure not only the course content includes insights of industry leaders, but also that the new facilities will be industry standard.”</p>

<p>The new facilities will be matched with an exciting portfolio of study programmes, for school leavers there will be college-based courses, apprenticeships plus the new flagship T Level – the gold-standard in qualifications where learners can follow a college-based programme and gain sector experience through an industry placement. Plus, a range of options for adults for those who would like to upskill or re-train as an early years practitioner or teaching assistant.</p>

<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College added: “To complement these exciting developments, we have launched an innovative ten-point Education and Early Years <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/weston-college-launch-innovative-career-e… Excellence Hub Charter</a> ensuring that the area is committed to aligning its curriculum to the needs of employers. This new facility is just one element of a College-wide initiative to ensure we are making aspirational careers a reality for all our learners regardless of their starting point in life.”</p>

<p>The build is co-funded by T Level Capital funding, awarded by the Department for Education.</p>

<p>Keep an eye on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/westoncollegeearlyyears">social media</a> for updates on the build as it progresses over the summer. There is still time to apply to join us this September:</p>

<ul>
<li>Courses for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… leavers</a></li>
<li>Courses for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/course-finder?…;
</ul>

<p>*Source: December 2020.</p>

<p>All photos shown on the right are for illustration purposes, actual build may vary.</p>

<p>Jess studied a level 3 early years and education course at Weston College before progressing to higher education at UCW and is now employed in a managerial position at a specialist independent education organisation.</p>

<p>Jess said: "My time at Weston College helped me decide that I wanted to dedicate my career to helping people.”</p>

<p>The level 3 course included subjects such as child development; theories of development, learning and behaviour; health and safety and safeguarding; observation, assessment and planning, special educational needs and disability; legislations, policy and procedure; children’s health and care; early years foundation stage and key stage one, first aid and food hygiene training.</p>

<p>In 2021 the level 3 course will also include 750 hours of work placements to ensure you develop your workplace skills ready for employment. Giving you a blend of classroom learning and on-the-job experience.</p>

<p>Although Jess initially took time away from her studies to teach English in Cambodia after finishing College, she returned to UCW in 2016 and has now achieved an upper second-class honours degree in early years education at UCW.</p>

<p>“I was in UCW three days a week for the degree in early years education, which meant I had plenty of time to for my work placement and to study. I’m so grateful to my family, friends, my lecturers and everyone else at UCW who helped me. My studies at UCW set me up for success in lots of roles"</p>

<p>Sandra, Dean of Faculty said: “It’s great to see Jess’s journey through College, a gap year, UCW and now into employment. The early years courses really do open many doors and in particular the new T level will get you a nationally recognised certificate, giving you opportunities to enter the industry but also gain UCAS points towards further education.”</p>

<p>Join us:</p>

<ul>
<li>Early years and education <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/early… for 16-19 year olds</a> (including the new T Level)</li>
<li>Early years education degree at <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/early-years-education-ba-hons/">UCW</a></…;
<li>Forthcoming <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events">events</a></li&gt;
</ul>