The Weston College Group is proud to announce that it has been awarded Gold reaccreditation for the nationally recognised Further Education Mental Health Award, achieving an “Excelling” judgement across every area assessed. 

The prestigious award recognises the College’s outstanding commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of both students and staff, embedding wellbeing into every aspect of college life. 

With more than 6,200 learners from a wide range of backgrounds, Weston College has developed a strong and inclusive support system designed to ensure every student feels safe, supported and able to succeed. The College was praised during the independent assessment for its whole-college approach, which includes: 

• A trauma-informed approach to teaching and support, helping students feel understood and valued 
• Dedicated mental health and wellbeing services, including counselling, mentoring and pastoral care 
• A structured system to identify and support students early, ensuring help is available at the right time 
• Innovative approaches such as the Equity in Education model, helping target support for those who need it most 

Students also benefit from a curriculum that actively promotes wellbeing, resilience and personal development, alongside regular awareness events and activities that encourage open conversations about mental health. 

The College works closely with schools, parents, carers and external organisations to provide a joined-up approach to support. Families are kept informed and involved, with access to guidance and support to help them understand and support their young person’s wellbeing. 

A key strength highlighted during the assessment was Weston College’s leadership within the education sector, working collaboratively with regional and national partners to share best practice and improve mental health support across further education. 

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO for the Weston College Group said: 

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved Gold reaccreditation with an ‘Excelling’ judgement across all areas assessed. 

“This recognition reflects the dedication and compassion of our staff, who work tirelessly to ensure every student feels supported, valued and able to thrive. Mental health and wellbeing are central to our culture at Weston College, and we remain committed to creating an environment where both students and staff can flourish.” 

The Further Education Mental Health Award recognises organisations that demonstrate a sustained and embedded commitment to mental health and wellbeing across their communities. 

The award was established by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, part of Leeds Beckett University, and social enterprise Minds Ahead. It aims to strengthen mental health and wellbeing across education settings by supporting organisations to create positive, inclusive and supportive learning environments. 

The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK's education system, improving students’ outcomes and life chances. 

Rachel C. Boyle, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said:  

“The achievement of the Mental Health award is a demonstration of the college's significant commitment to improving children's and staff’s mental health and wellbeing. It is also a commitment to developing practices in school that seek to improve awareness and expertise in creating safe and secure learning environments in which all children can truly fulfil their potential. This award is one that all staff can be truly proud of”. 

Nationally, more than 1400 educational institutions have signed up to take part in the mental health award. 

Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said: “This award shines a light on the excellent work schools and colleges are doing to promote mental health for their community of children, young people and adults. 

“It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Weston College and the many other educational institutions engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”

Earlier this month, our Music and Production students hosted a live gig at The Brit Bar in Weston-super-Mare, performing a diverse range of songs throughout the evening and gaining valuable hands-on experience in front of a live audience.

Throughout the night, students performed sets spanning multiple genres, showcasing both their musical talent and individual stage presence. The event featured a solo performance from Scarlett Davidson, as well as duets and band performances from Heron, PVA Glue, and Sub Octave. The evening not only celebrated the creativity and hard work of our students, but also gave them practical insight into what goes into delivering a successful live production.

Performing in established local venues such as The Brit Bar offers students an invaluable opportunity to experience the realities of the music industry in a supportive but professional environment. Live performances help students develop confidence, improve their stage presence, and learn how to engage with different audiences which are essential skills for aspiring musicians and performers.

Events like these also allow students to connect with other local artists, venue staff, and members of the community, helping them build professional networks and establish themselves within the local music scene. Experiencing a real venue environment encourages adaptability, teamwork, and resilience, while also helping students discover their own performance style and artistic identity.

For many students, performing live is a pivotal first step towards future opportunities in music and production. Whether pursuing higher education, gig work, or careers within the entertainment industry, these experiences provide a realistic and inspiring introduction to the demands and rewards of not just performing professionally, but also understanding the effort and planning it takes to organise a successful gig.

Oz Cahill, Music lecturer at Weston College, added, “It’s fantastic to see our students performing at external venues, as experiences like this provide invaluable real-world insight that will help prepare them for future careers in the music industry. Not only does it build their confidence, but it also gives them the opportunity to develop their stage presence and learn how to connect with a live audience.”

“We encourage our students to take part in as many enriching opportunities as possible, helping them gain experience, build professional networks, and establish themselves within the local music scene. A huge thank you to The Brit Bar for providing our students with this incredible opportunity and for continuing to support and nurture the next generation of the music industry.” 

Well done to all the students who performed and we look forward to seeing where you go next!

This performance forms part of the Music and Production Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

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.

Photos credited to Photography student, Louis Havinden.

Our Sport students at Weston College are benefiting from the extensive industry experience of Sport and Fitness lecturer, Isaac Berry, whose successful coaching career continues to shape and enhance the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom. 

Alongside teaching and coaching students at the College, Isaac is currently coaching AFC Stoneham, who recently celebrated a historic victory in the FA Vase Final at Wembley Stadium. The achievement highlights the real-world expertise that staff bring into students’ learning environments, giving them valuable insight into the demands and rewards of working within the sports industry. 

Isaac’s background in football coaching involves both professional clubs and educational programmes. Throughout his career, he has worked within the academy at Colchester United, where he also managed the college football programme, before moving on to become Head Coach of a football college programme in Newbury. In addition to his work in the UK, he has also coached in the United States during the summer months, further broadening his experience within the sport. 

Now in his second season with AFC Stoneham, Isaac has assisted in guiding the club to remarkable success, winning six trophies in just two seasons, including the FA Vase trophy at Wembley, marking a significant milestone for the club and everyone connected to it. 

For students, having lecturers with current industry involvement offers significant benefits to both their learning and personal development. Isaac’s continued work in football allows him to bring up-to-date knowledge, modern coaching ideas, and real-life experiences directly into lessons and practical sessions, giving students a clearer understanding of the realities of the sports industry. 

Not only this, Isaac will also be Weston College’s Football Academy First Team coach in September, further strengthening opportunities for aspiring footballers and coaches within the College’s academy pathway. Students are able to learn not only technical and tactical knowledge, but also the resilience, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills required to succeed in such a competitive industry. 

Reflecting on the rewards and challenges of coaching, Isaac explained that some of the most rewarding aspects is the teamwork, seeing ideas and game plans come to life on the pitch, and building strong bonds and friendships throughout the sport. However, he also highlighted the importance of perseverance, explaining that setbacks are part of the journey and encouraging students to keep going through the difficult moments in order to achieve the rewards. 

His advice to students hoping to progress into professional coaching is centred around dedication and passion for the sport. He explained that coaching can be the best job in the world, but requires commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to work hard in all conditions.  

He also emphasised the importance of how remaining active within the industry directly benefits his students, as it enables him to provide relevant examples and maintain valuable professional connections that can support learners as they progress into careers within sport.  

He added, “Being involved in the industry allows me to give students real-life experiences and examples during lessons and practical sessions. It helps me stay up to date with modern ideas and trends within the game, while also continuing to build contacts that can support students and provide networking opportunities for them as they move into the industry themselves.”  

Isaac also expressed his gratitude to Weston College’s Sport Department and management team for supporting his continued work within football alongside his teaching career.  

By learning from lecturers with active industry experience, our students gain far more than classroom knowledge. They are exposed to current industry standards, professional expectations, and practical insights that help build confidence, develop employability skills, and prepare them for successful futures within the sports sector.  

This forms part of the Sport and Fitness Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

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.