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Tag: Weston College

Weston College releases Annual Report

Dec. 03 2012 Education, Latest News no comments
BUSINESS BREAKFAST PRESS1 300x200 Weston College releases Annual Report

Dr Paul Phillips (left) Jude Ferguson (Centre) & Graham Turner (right)

Business and council leaders gathered for the release of Weston College’s Annual Report last week.

Representatives from North Somerset and Weston Town councils, along with businesses and organisations, were among 200 people who met for the breakfast launch of the Annual Report which highlights the College’s achievements in 2011/12.

Welcoming guests, College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE has this to say: “Despite the challenging economic climate, creating brighter futures remains paramount and we place great emphasis upon partnerships.

“We are bucking the national trend by investing more than £7 million in the College this year. When I started 11 years ago we had a turnover of £7 million. This year it’s £34 million and next year it is set to be £45 million.”

At the breakfast Dr Phillips praised the commitment of students, staff and Corporate Management Team for retaining Weston College’s pole position.

Amongst Weston College’s achievements this year has been the opening of a groundbreaking new £1.5 learning disability centre, which is helping students with autism.

It has also won a £30 million prison education contract to teach in 13 South West prisons and built a new Motor Vehicle facility.

The College is also set to invest millions of pounds in a new enterprise college for post-14 education in Weston, with the centre set to operate like a modern business.

North Somerset Council’s Chief Executive, Graham Turner, said that the recession was biting hard and this would continue to affect employment.

He praised Weston College’s approach, by saying this: “I believe North Somerset and the West of England is a fantastic place, and this is the one area of the country that will lead Britain out of the recession.”

Jude Ferguson, Weston College Chair of Governors, said the demands and challenges of the year had been great but added: “None of us could have anticipated the dynamic transformation and leadership of Weston College over the last decade.

Among those also attending the breakfast were representatives from local schools, Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol Airport, Weston Area Health Trust and local businesses.

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Weston College apprenticeship numbers soar

Nov. 20 2012 Employment, Latest News no comments
Apprentice Receptionist Emily Taylor 300x273 Weston College apprenticeship numbers soar

Emily Taylor

Weston College has reported an upsurge in the number of apprenticeships it is arranging.

According to the Collge In October it helped to fill 35 vacancies, a 120 per cent increase on the same time last year and a record.

The areas of business administration and hospitality are particularly busy, with more vacancies cropping up every day.

In addition, Weston College has taken on 10 apprentices of its own in various roles.

James Wilmot, Weston College’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Co-ordinator, comments: “We’ve worked very hard over the last 12 months to improve the recruitment rate and that work has really paid off.

“Vacancies are increasing all the time and show no signs of slowing down. The good thing is that these are not ‘low grade’ jobs that have no worth.

“They are with strongly-performing companies committed to the training and development of all their staff, including apprentices, which shows the calibre of companies we are working with.”

Employers include North Somerset Council and Weston Area Health Trust, along with a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, garages, hair and beauty salons and estate agents.

Emily Taylor, 18, from Milton, is currently working as an Apprentice Receptionist and Business Administrator at Weston College’s Business and Enterprise Centre (BEC) in Locking Road.

She comments: “I see the apprenticeship as a platform for what I’d like to do in the future. I’d like to be a PA. For now, this is a fantastic way of gaining work experience and qualifications at the same time. You’re given a lot of support and I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

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Weston College invests for sustainable future

Oct. 08 2012 Education, Latest News no comments
GREEN TECHNOLOGIES CHRIS SIMPSON 2 Weston College invests for sustainable future

Chris Simpson

Weston College has put sustainable technology at the forefront of its new £10 million building project.

Set to be a leading National Skills Environmental Academy Hub, green technology such as a rainwater harvesting system and solar photovoltaic system costing more than £165,000, will be incorporated within the finished building.

Part of the programme will also see a £300,000 sustainable detached eco- house built for students and visitors.

Weston College Building Services and Environmental Technology Manager, Chris Simpson, comments: “Weston College will cut its carbon footprint and be a driving force behind the provision of environmental technology training in the South West of England.”

Chris adds: “We anticipate that the carbon footprint of this property will be reduced from 15.4 tonnes of CO2 (UK National average) to 12.68 tonnes per annum per person.”

Back in May Weston MP John Penrose launched the £10 milllion three-stage redevelopment, which will include a £3 million refurbishment of the Hub building.

A further £6 million will also be spent to expand the Business Enterprise Centre by creating a two-storey block in three phases.

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE comments: “Our aim is to offer students and staff wonderful state-of-the-art facilities with the very best sustainable standards.”

To find out more about courses at Weston College call 01934 411 481 or go to www.weston.ac.uk

 

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Weston College plans new school

Oct. 01 2012 Education, Latest News no comments
NSETC view 1 300x161 Weston College plans new school

Artist’s impression of the proposed centre

It has been revealed that Weston College is planning to build a new specialist college which will have a strong business focus.

The college, provisionally called the ‘North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College’ will have a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as well as a potent business ethos.

North Somerset Council, local businesses and universities have already pledged support for the college, which could open as early as September 2014 on a site in Locking Parklands, Weston.

The centre is likely to cost around £10 million and will to cater for around 800 students, with space to expand if need be, according to Weston College.

Ideas being touted for the new college include the introduction of an 8.30am-5pm ‘working day’ for all learners, including time for homework and enrichment activities, the wearing of ‘business dress’ instead of college uniform and specialised academic, vocational and technical training.

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips said: “Weston College is committed to working with Business, Industry and the community to create innovative learning solutions.

“We have discussed this concept with our partners and prospective learners. We are proposing a model of learning that will engender employability skills alongside an entrepreneurial learning environment.”

Alison Kingscott from Weston Area Health NHS Trust said: “This is a fresh and imaginative approach to education in North Somerset and we look forward to a fruitful partnership, along with the prospect of being able to take on students with real employability skills.”

Weston College is now encouraging parents to answer a questionnaire at www.nsetc.co.uk and help shape the vision for the college, which it is said will boost the economic development of the area.

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Paralympic Performance for Weston College band

Aug. 24 2012 Upcoming Events no comments

Harrisen 200x300 Paralympic Performance for Weston College band City Embers, a student band from Weston College played for athletes at the London Olympics on August 7th and are set to perform again at the Paralympics on August 31st

The Music Performance students’ four-piece alternative rock band won an Internet competition to play in front of thousands of international spectators in the Olympic Village.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Harrisen Larner-Main, 19, from Worle, said: “It was incredible to win the competition and be chosen to play because it was such a privilege to be part of these amazing Olympics.

“We had a great reaction to our own songs; people recorded videos and took photos and a US TV network even filmed us!”

City Embers also includes, Henry Lowe, 19, of Yatton, on keyboards and backing vocals, Jake Redman, 17, of Clevedon, on bass guitar and Josh Armitage, 17, of Wick St Lawrence, on drums.

City Embers formed earlier this year and alongside weekly live performances, the band has put together their first album in the College’s modern recording studios.

For more details on the band, and to check out when they’re performing, visit www.facebook.com/CityEmbersOfficial  or www.twitter.com/cityembers

For more information on Weston College please call 01934 411 411 or email enquiries@weston.ac.uk

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North Somerset A-level results success at Weston College

Aug. 16 2012 Education, Latest News no comments
Tom Stephen with mum Annu Stephen2 264x300 North Somerset A level results success at Weston College

North Somerset A-Level Results

North Somerset A-level results have been released today, ending a nervous wait by students.

One college in the region happy to hear the news is Weston College, which celebrated its most outstanding results in years.

Expectant students arrived at the College’s University Campus in Loxton Road to receive their A level results, which will decide their futures post-18.

Weston College in North Somerset has around 30,000 enrolments, offering 32 A levels, 40 apprenticeships and over 100 vocational courses.

This year’s A Level graduates will be the first to attend university following increased tuition fees – This year 99.8 per cent passed their A Levels, with 80 per cent achieving A*-C grades, and 50 per cent gaining A*-B.

The national pass rate rose for the 30th year in succession, with 98 per cent of students passing their exams, though there was a small percentage fall in the numbers of those gaining A* or A.

This year saw many success stories at Weston College, including that of Tom Stephen, 18, of Grove Road, Weston, who gained A*s in Maths and Biology, and an A in Chemistry. He will now take up a place at Loughborough University studying Chemical Engineering.

He said: “I worked very hard and I’m delighted. Weston College has been a terrific place to study. They give you all the resources you need to achieve, and also the freedom to socialise and make good friends.”

However, not all students are planning an academic route. Chrissie Gravell, 18, of Worlebury, is already working as an apprentice at Specsavers in Clevedon. She picked up her results on Thursday and is pleased with the way her career is progressing.

“I didn’t fancy going to university and I wanted some practical work experience. My aim is to become a dispensing optician and I can definitely do this through Specsavers’ career progression route.”

Dr Paul Phillips, Weston College Principal and Chief Executive said the A level results were testament to ‘brilliant teachers and a superb learning environment in which students are supported during their studies.’

“Our results reflect a dynamic institution totally committed to the learners of North Somerset and the many learners who travel to us from Bristol, Bath and Bridgwater.”

To find out more about Weston College’s A-Level Results, visit http://www.weston.ac.uk/

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Dr Paul Phillips’ education column – growing your own

Aug. 06 2012 Columnists no comments

dr paul weston college6 242x300 Dr Paul Phillips education column growing your own

Dr Paul Phillips OBE is the Principal of Weston College. Here he discusses the task of creating the ideal management team.

Creating the ideal management team is a difficult task for even the seasoned professional.

The main reason is that while we can draw up the most elaborate of structures, it is the people who fit into those structures that create the impact.

So how does one go about achieving the “dream team”?

The mixed economy approach

Generally I would advise the mixed economy approach, take some good established managers and join them with people who have great promise but need to realise their dreams through major exposure to the real world of FE.

At Weston College we did just that some two years ago and the results have been dramatic, as indeed were the teething problems.

My experience was to actually identify more colleagues than you actually need and to sub divide roles so that particular expertise can be developed quickly and robustly.

It is through this micro analysis that skills and competence rapidly develop but actually the real skills are the ability of people to act individually and as part of a team, to learn to delegate but at the same time retain oversight and most importantly to take calculated risk.

In taking that risk, they do need to prove that the risk is at least balanced and identify stepping off points if it becomes evident that the plan is not going to deliver the original goals.

Did it work?

So did the exercise work? The answer is yes, but not in isolation. My role as Principal, for the first twelve months, actually became more complicated as initially colleagues needed significant hand-holding or approval of the direction they were taking.

The situation did improve however and now nearly two years later much greater autonomy is being achieved but equally as Senior Managers moved into corporate positions, there was the need to advance the skills sets of the middle management team.

The approach with the middle management team was very different. In recognition of the need for the College to become even more commercial in operation it was decided to bring in a team of business people from commerce and industry to work with these staff on a series of projects that were pertinent to the forward development of the College.

The results here over a twelve month period were dramatic; not only were difficult real scenarios tackled, but the solutions were both entrepreneurial and in many cases cost effective.

I was impressed – and it takes a lot these days! The most obvious difference after the commercial exposure was the level of confidence of the middle managers after training and the business leaders certainly put them on their mettle.

The success of the development was so great that now the NHS and other organisations are looking to follow suit.

Grow your own

I suppose the one thing that has emerged from the whole exercise for me is that if you want to “grow your own” managers then you will have to devote significant time to the process. It has most definitely worked but it is not a quick fix process, rather one that requires integrity, perseverance and attention to detail.

Neither does this process stand in isolation, you will still need to go out to the market to ensure you have the very best staff for the future – my team stood up very well against the external competition in the main but I have occasionally still had to use locum agencies when up against it.

A definite yes

So should your college or business be growing its own? I think it is a most definite ‘yes’ but once you create the ideal team they are of course liable to be poached and there has been no shortage of attempts to draw the team away.

This brings me to my last point – the dream team need to be well remunerated and need to have clear targets which are challenging but achievable. I think my team would say that they are very stressed at present with the significant demands of a changing FE world.

I would be surprised if they weren’t to be honest – I do expect results from every one of them.

Weston College

So here at Weston College we are getting ready for the next academic year. The GCSE and A Level result days in August will be very important days for existing and future students of the college.

The long term vision is very challenging and exciting and we need to keep our feet firmly in the ground to avoid distraction. I still get incensed at the levels of bureaucracy the college faces in terms of creating the best opportunities for our learners but equally as long as we remember what we are here for, we all have a real chance.

Dr Paul Phillips OBE is the Principal of Weston College. To find out more about Weston College please visit: www.weston.ac.uk

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Weston College ASPIRE course helps reduce unemployment

Jul. 18 2012 Education, Employment no comments

Aspire Craig Chase 300x224 Weston College ASPIRE course helps reduce unemploymentA monthly course at Weston College aimed at giving unemployed people the skills they need to find a job has been a huge success according to the higher education institution.

The ASPIRE course was launched in August 2011 and so far nearly 500 learners aged from 16 to 65 have attended the two-week programme

Sixty-four per cent of the first cohort have been tracked and found to have gained jobs, training, or entered an apprenticeship.

Over the rest of the year an average of 30 per cent of those completing ASPIRE have been quickly offered employment or found training opportunities.

Other courses have also been developed alongside ASPIRE. These include: Choices – for those looking at how they’d like to change their lives, ASPIRE Plus, CV workshops and Executive ASPIRE for middle-managers facing redundancy.

Craig Chase, 26, of Winscombe, was an unemployment statistic after being made redundant.

He attended ASPIRE in May and has been taken on full-time by local employer Smurfit Kappa UK – one of the country’s leading corrugated packaging manufacturers and recycling experts.

Craig said: “I’d worked for seven years and being unemployed was the worst experience of my life. I was desperate for work.

“ASPIRE helped me with my CV, to look at my strengths and prepare for interviews because I’d never had one. I am very pleased to be back at work.”

Smurfit spokesman Oliver Foster said: “We were so impressed with Weston College’s programme that I became a mentor.

“Craig was enthusiastic and now he’s training to become a skilled operative in our factory. We employ 169 people on the Oldmixon estate, with 20 sites in the UK and 350 worldwide.

“We’ve seen applicants from elsewhere but they weren’t the same calibre as those coming from the College and we are delighted to work closely with it.”

The latest Government figures released by the Office of National Statistics today, on July 18, reveal a small fall in unemployment figures in the three months to May.

Just over 181,000 jobs have been found nationally but there are still 2.58 million people unemployed. The number of people claiming job seekers allowance has also risen by 6,100 to 1.6 million.

The number of long-term unemployed who have not worked for more than two years also rose by 18,000 to 441, 000.

ASPIRE is fully funded if you are 16-18 years old or if you are over 18 years old and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, receiving Employment Support Allowance or do not have a full Level 2 course or higher.

For more information on what the College can offer contact Weston College’s Business Enterprise Centre on 01934 411 594.

For courses at Weston College please call 01934 411 411 or go to www.weston.ac.uk

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The Dr Paul Phillips education column

Jun. 28 2012 Columnists, Education no comments
dr paul weston college6 242x300 The Dr Paul Phillips education column

Dr Paul Phillips OBE

The end of the term is rapidly approaching and I spent a few minutes looking at the various demands and dictates arriving on my desk. They range from details of how short notice Ofsted inspections will operate to funding changes and the new adult loans scheme.

On top of that and let’s just say we push all of this to one side, there is the bread and butter – actually ensuring that the learners in front of us are taught properly by inspirational teachers who will give them the skills to progress to further study and eventually employment.

Ofsted agenda

The Ofsted agenda is an interesting one because the first thing the inspectorate needs to do is to examine the mix of provision between long, short and very short categories. One might inevitably expect the ratio to vary slightly between inspections, but if it has changed dramatically then it is time to dig around to see if curriculum is being manipulated for inspector rather than curriculum being for the purpose for the learner.

It is also worth looking at Colleges that reduce in size considerably because that in itself may signify inappropriate strategy. Generally allowing for such analysis there is an almost straight forward focus on the learner journey of experience complete with associated success.

We shouldn’t moan about that, it is the purpose of our roles today. Every college is different but we all need to focus upon producing the best possible learning experience for everyone who crosses our doorstep.

Staff within colleges generally deliver way above the statutory requirements of their role. I am writing this article at 6.30pm on a Wednesday evening in my college, yet most of the secretarial staff are still present, as are many lecturers completing moderation of coursework, providing individual support to students’ etc. etc.

Market forces

I was amazed therefore to read in an article from another source that our staff in Further Education (FE) colleges are overpaid with generous perks and holidays – my experience of FE staff, and I have worked in five different FE Colleges in my career, is that staff are dedicated, conscientious, entrepreneurial and highly professional.

That isn’t to say that there are a few who play the clock waiting game with minimal interaction, but market forces dictate and they won’t be with us for long.

Adult loans

I am not going to spend any time this month on funding changes because it is inevitable that they will occur and even more inevitable that they will continue to re-occur.

The use of the adult loans however is a concern – I can accept to a certain extent that people must pay for training, but since the loans in the main will not be huge in comparison to Higher Education loans, how will the process be managed?

In my own college we have been highly successful in engaging hard to reach learners and getting them over the threshold where the majority then vastly increase their confidence and succeed.

Now however, we have the double whammy do all that and get them to sign up for the loan. Ok we’ve got to do it but is the loan application quick or are the forms a bureaucratic nightmare? I don’t know the answer but it will be a novel process dealing with adults who need key support in foundation learning and who may have to fill in a loan application synonymous with a detailed mortgage application!

My understanding from the Skills Funding Agency is that we will be able to suggest positive suggestions for possible change. If that’s the case make sure you pilot the ability for these forms to be filled in correctly in the first place.

Poachers turned gamekeepers

Finally, it is that time of year when we say goodbye to some colleagues who have decided to escape the rat race, have got their retirement sorted and have just managed to beat the latest austerity measures from the Government regarding pensions and annual allowance and lifetime allowance etc.

Good luck to you all, certainly some key leaders are leaving the patch in the South West where I work, brilliant because they have inspiration, and successful because they are poachers turned gamekeepers. The world of Further Education continues to be a magnet for the entrepreneur, the commercial manager and those who seek knowledge.

So I will close now but not before wishing all of you a successful start to the next academic year, but preferably a well-deserved break at some point in the next few weeks. Look after your new entrants to the teaching profession in September in particular because to date they are untainted by bureaucracy, idiosyncrasies and plain daft decisions.

New academy for North Somerset

For those readers in North Somerset we are witnessing significant change for both the town of Weston-super-Mare and the whole authority area. Plans are coming to fruition from a number of perspectives and these include a new Academy for learners with Autism and Asperger’s, significant success at the end of year shows for both Weston College and local schools, plus continued changes with regard to NHS re-organisation and the new developments on the seafront of Weston-super-Mare.

I watched a programme on the economy of Greece last night and against this benchmark, the area is pretty outstanding!

To find out more about Weston College please visit: www.weston.ac.uk

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Event to mark new apprenticeship scheme

Jun. 27 2012 Education, Latest News no comments

Weston College logo Event to mark new apprenticeship schemeAn event to launch Weston College’s new Higher Apprenticeship Scheme, the first in the South West, will be held on Wednesday, July 11.

Higher Apprenticeships will enable employees to gain university level qualifications while working.

Employers interested in finding out more are welcome to the launch event at Doubletree by Hilton, Cadbury House in Congresbury from 6pm.

Qualifications will include Foundation Degrees, HNCs or HNDs, NVQ Levels 4 and 5 and other Professional qualifications in areas including accountancy, construction and engineering.

College Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips OBE, said: “This event will provide an opportunity for employers to find out about Higher Apprenticeships.

“Weston College as part of a consortium of colleges, is at the forefront of Higher Level apprenticeship and we are very excited about what the future holds for employers who want highly qualified staff and employees who can gain a degree level qualification and earn while they learn.”

College staff will be available to discuss the benefits of Higher Apprenticeships to businesses and the event includes a barbeque/buffet and refreshments.

There will be also be an opportunity to network. Anyone interested in attending this special event should email megan.champion@weston.ac.uk or telephone 01934 411 431.

To find out more about courses at Weston College call 01934 411 411 or go to www.weston.ac.uk

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