Weston College

Weston College
Weston College Logo
Motto "Creating brighter futures"
Established 1845
Principal Paul Phillips
Founder Henry Law
Students 30,000 (approx.)[1]
Undergraduates 862[2][1]
Location Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, United Kingdom
51°21′03″N 2°58′53″W / 51.350896°N 2.981486°W / 51.350896; -2.981486Coordinates: 51°21′03″N 2°58′53″W / 51.350896°N 2.981486°W / 51.350896; -2.981486
Website weston.ac.uk
Knightstone Campus
Weston College Conference Centre
University campus

Weston College of Further and Higher Education is a general college of further and higher education in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England.[3] It provides education and vocational training from age 14 to adult to learners based across the country. In 2015, the college provided education to approximately 30,000 learners.[1]

In an Ofsted inspection in January 2014 it received an overall grade of "outstanding".[4] On 27 February 2015, the college was named "College of the Year" and "Overall FE Provider of the Year" at the Times Educational Supplement Further Education awards.[5] It is a major employer in Weston-super-Mare.[6] On 25 November 2015, the college announced that it was to become a university centre in partnership with the University of the West of England.[1]

History

The first educational building to be built on the college site was the National School, constructed at the corner of Knightstone Road and Lower Church Road.[7] Its construction was funded by Archdeacon Henry Law, Weston-super-Mare’s rector from 1834 to 1838 and also 1840 to 1862.[8] Archdeacon Law donated approximately £15,000 towards the cost of churches, schools and other public buildings in the Weston area. The National School opened to 320 students on 22 September 1845 - the day Bishop George Law, the archdeacon’s father, died.

In 1897, the boys’ department moved to the newly built Board School in Walliscote Road and the National School became a girls’ school. The school changed its name to St John’s Church School and was closed in 1964 before being demolished in May 1966 to make way for the development of Weston Technical College, a building that is now used as the college's Knightstone Campus.[7]

Following the mid-century reforms of Henry Cole and others, which promoted the creation of schools to develop a pool of skilled technicians and designers necessary to maintain the country’s industrial dominance, the Hans Price-designed School of Science and Art, now known as the Weston College Conference Centre, was built in 1892 and opened the following year.[9][10] The building was Grade 2 listed on 19 May 1983 and was completely refurbished from a derelict state in 2012.[11] In August 2013, the college's redevelopment of the building was nominated for an English Heritage Angel Award to "recognise the time, effort and determination" of the college for the rescue of the building.[12]

Plans to build Weston Technical College were granted approval in June 1965.[13] The £550,000 college was opened on 9 September 1970.

In 1998, North Somerset Council handed over the ailing Broadoak Sixth Form College on Loxton Road to Weston College, which launched the facility as Weston College Sixth Form Centre the following year.[14] In 2007 the building underwent substantial redevelopment and was renamed the Jill Dando Centre in commemoration of murdered local television presenter and journalist Jill Dando, who went to college on the site.[15]

In 1998, the college renovated the Knightstone Campus in order to soften and modernise its reception's appearance.[16] The college's entrance was originally located on the first floor, accessible by a flight of stairs located on the college's southern, Knightstone Road facing elevation. The renovation moved the entrance to the ground floor and relocated it on the college's east elevation, facing Lower Church Road.[16]

In 2006, construction began on the plot adjacent to the sixth form centre to create Weston College's University Campus.[17] The £15 million university campus was opened by Anne, Princess Royal on 23 June 2008.[17][18]

On 25 November 2015, the college announced that it had been granted university centre status in partnership with the University of the West of England.[1]

On 11 January 2016, the college announced that it had purchased the Arosfa Hotel in Weston-super-Mare in order to redevelop it as a Law and Professional Services Academy.[19]

Courses

The college offers A level courses, vocational courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, courses for the unemployed and work-related courses in nine subject areas: administration, business management, foundation English, hair and beauty, independent living and leisure, public services, science, sport, and vehicle engineering.[20] It also provides training for work in the building,[21] catering and plumbing trades.[20] It has facilities for learners with difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD). It also offers some associate degree courses; its degrees are validated by Bath Spa University and by the University of the West of England.[21]

The number of students enrolled in the college's higher education provision has grown considerably over the last decade.[2] In 2009/2010 there were 450 undergraduate students on degree courses.[22] In September 2015, the number of students enroled in the college's higher education provision had almost doubled to 862.[2]

In 2012, Weston College won a £10 million contract to provide education to inmates of 13 prisons in the South West of England.[23]

In 2015, Weston College invested £1.5 million into creating a "Future Technology Centre" at the South West Skills Campus, enabling the college to teach a full engineering curriculum.[24] In September 2015, Weston College announced that it had won a contract to train apprentices for GKN Aerospace.[24][25]

Campuses

Weston College has three main campuses: Knightstone Campus, which used to be Weston-super-Mare Technical College; University Campus, on the site of Broadoak Sixth Form Centre on Loxton Road; and South West Skills Campus.[26] Care and management of horses and other animals are taught at Badgworth Equestrian and Animal Centre.[27]

In 2012 the 10-bedroom Weston Bay Hotel was refurbished as residential accommodation for learners with special educational needs, with a focus on learners on the autism spectrum.[28] The facility promotes independent living and social skills, and assist its learners by increasing their access to Higher Education and career opportunities.[29]

In January 2015, North Somerset Council agreed to sell Weston-super-Mare's Winter Gardens Pavilion to the college for the nominal fee of £1.[30] The sale is part of the council's plan to regenerate Weston-super-Mare's town centre and the college intend to turn the building into a Law and Professional Services Academy.[31]

In August 2015, the College's South West Skills Campus was nominated for the Best Educational Building and Best Change of Use of an Existing Building categories at the Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Awards.[32]

Assessment

In 2011, higher education teaching at Weston College was assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which had confidence in its management of award standards and learning opportunities.[21]

The college was assessed by OFSTED in December 2013, and was classified in Grade 1, "outstanding", for overall effectiveness, for its results, for teaching quality, and for management effectiveness. It was the first general further education college in the West of England to receive this grade under the new OFSTED framework.[33][34] It was assessed as Grade 1 in five of its nine subject areas, and Grade 2, "good", in the remaining four.[20]

In 2014 the A level pass rate at the college was 98%, one percent higher than in 2013.[35] In 2015, the A level result pass rate rose to 99%, and 27% of the college's students achieved A* or A grades.[36] These figures are both above the national average.[37]

In 2014, more than 20 per cent of the college's Bachelor of Arts graduates achieved a first class honours degree, beating the national average of 16 per cent.[38] In September 2015, this number of graduates achieving first class honours rose to 21.3%.[2]

Weston College Group

Inspirational Futures Trust

In 2012, Weston College founded the Inspirational Futures Trust; a multi-academy sponsoring charity. In 2014 the college assisted in the creation of the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College, an academy that specialises in the STEM fields, and is currently assisting in the planning and developing of its new campus.[39] In 2015, Herons' Moor Academy joined the trust.[40]

In 2016 the trust plans to open the Bristol Futures Academy, a 14-16 alternative provision free school for learners with behavioural issues.[41] It is expected to be open for referrals in mid-2016.

Offender Learning Services Limited

In August 2012, Weston College won the south west offender learning provision contract from Strode College, and has since delivered offender learning to 13 prisons in the south west of England.[42][43] Following prison closures across the country, the college now delivers to the following nine prisons: HM Prison Erlestoke, HM Prison The Verne, HM Prison Bristol, HM Prison Channings Wood, HM Prison Dartmoor, HM Prison Eastwood Park, HM Prison Exeter, HM Prison Leyhill and HM Prison Portland.[44]

Brighter Futures Recruitment

In October 2015 the college launched its own apprenticeship training agency, Brighter Futures Recruitment.[45][46] The agency acts as an employer in order to minimise the 'red tape' that could discourage potential employers from hiring an apprentice.[46][45]

Awards

Notable alumni

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Prideaux, Sophie. "Weston-super-Mare step closer to becoming university town as college given University Centre status". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Weston College holds biggest ever graduation ceremony". The Weston Mercury. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "Register of HE providers". Higher Education Funding Council for England. Higher Education Funding Council for England. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Bristol Post, "Weston College rated as outstanding by OFSTED".
  5. ↑ TES FE awards, "Weston College celebrate awards".
  6. ↑ Cheddar Valley Gazette, "Weston College celebrate awards".
  7. 1 2 Poole, Sharon (2012). Weston-super-Mare Then and Now in Colour (1 ed.). Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 9780752467955.
  8. ↑ "Rector who gave £15,000 to build churches and schools". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "School of Science and Art, Weston-Super-Mare". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "Education Buildings" (PDF). Historic England. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  11. ↑ Hans Price gem is back to its best, Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury.
  12. ↑ "Project to restore Weston-super-Mare heritage recognised at national awards ceremony". South West Business. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  13. ↑ Earl, Grace. "Picture Past: June 18, 1965". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  14. ↑ Herbert, Paul. "College takes over a school's sixth form". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  15. 1 2 "College unveils new Jill Dando tribute". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  16. 1 2 "Space and softness for Weston College". The Architects' Journal. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  17. 1 2 "New £15m campus image is unveiled". The Weston mercury. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  18. ↑ "Royal visit for Weston". The Weston mercury.
  19. ↑ Robinson, Sarah. "Weston College buys hotel to transform into academy". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 Wilf Hudson (20 January 2014). Further Education and Skills inspection report: Weston College – General further education college; Inspection Number: 423351. Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED). Accessed November 2014.
  21. 1 2 3 [s.n.] (October 2011). Integrated quality and enhancement review: Summative review: Weston College SR 004/11. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Accessed November 2014.
  22. ↑ Russell Jordan (21 October 2010). "Weston College: Focused monitoring visit report" (PDF). Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED).. Accessed November 2014.
  23. ↑ Bethan Evans (25 January 2013). College lands £10m contract to educate prison inmates. Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury. Accessed November 2014.
  24. 1 2 Thompson, Gavin. "Weston College wins contract to train GKN Aerospace apprentices after investing £1.5 million in facilities". SouthWestBusiness. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  25. ↑ "GKN Aerospace and Weston College join forces to launch apprenticeship programme". Business Leader. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Weston College Guide, The Telegraph.
  27. ↑ What Can I Study?, Badgworth Arena.
  28. ↑ BBC News, "Weston College opens special needs academy".
  29. ↑ "Weston College spends £1 million on new LDD facilities". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  30. ↑ "Weston's Winter Gardens sold to Weston College for £1". BBC. BBC. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  31. ↑ "New Lease of Life for Weston-super-Mare's Winter Gardens". Bristol Post. Bristol Post. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  32. ↑ Millett, Briana. "Weston College campus finalist in two design awards". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  33. ↑ The Guardian, "Winning over Ofsted: how to become an outstanding college".
  34. ↑ Bristol Post, "Ofsted College's 'amazing result' up with UK best".
  35. ↑ Bethan Evans (23 August 2014). Pass rate is up for Weston College. Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury. Accessed November 2014.
  36. ↑ Millett, Briana. "A-level results: Weston College pass rate hits 99%". The Weston Mercury. The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  37. ↑ Adams, Richard. "A-level results show falling proportion of top grades". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  38. ↑ Robinson, Sarah (19 September 2014). "Gallery: College students celebrate degree success". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  39. ↑ "North Somerset Enterprise and Technology". In North Somerset. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  40. ↑ Millett, Briana. "First primary joins educational trust". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  41. ↑ Yong, Michael. "New free school for children with behavioural issues to open in Bristol". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  42. ↑ Offord, Paul. "Prison learning contracting under review". FE WEEK. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  43. ↑ Marks, Alexandra. "Provider involvement in prison learning review ‘essential’". FE Week. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  44. ↑ "Education in South West prisons". Weston College. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  45. 1 2 "College launches new recruitment agency focused on apprenticeships". Business Leader. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  46. 1 2 "Weston College launches recruitment agency exclusively for apprentices". Apprentice Eye. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  47. 1 2 "Weston College named as top further education establishment in country". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  48. 1 2 Millett, Briana. "Two national accolades for college". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  49. ↑ Evans, Bethan. "Weston College scoops Beacon Award". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  50. ↑ "Beacon Award winners in full | FE Week". Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  51. ↑ "Weston College honoured | Business Leader". Business Leader. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  52. ↑ Millett, Briana. "Weston College given Matrix accreditation". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  53. ↑ "Prestigious award for college". The Weston Mercury. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  54. ↑ Evans, Bethan. "College goes for gold in national award". The Weston mercury. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  55. ↑ Pickstock, Heather. "Is Clevedon's George Shelley from Union J about to head for the Australian jungle?". North Somerset Mercury. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  56. ↑ Bryant, Mark. "Poster Boy: Alfred Leete". History Today. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  57. ↑ "Bristol's next Lord Mayor will have daughter by his side". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  58. ↑ "Bristol’s next Lord Mayor praises Weston College for giving him Access to Higher Education". Weston.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  59. ↑ "Michael A Walton Biography". Severed Press. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  60. ↑ Evans, Bethan. "News presenter returns to college". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  61. ↑ Franklin, James. "Michelle is right at home for new Sky comedy show". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  62. ↑ "Number 10 visit for student". The Weston Mercury. Archant. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  63. ↑ Topping, Alexandra. "Anti-FGM activist Fahma Mohamed wins young campaigner award". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
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