@westoncollege has won the prestigious @AoC_info’ Beacon Inclusive Learning Leadership Award 2020-21. The College has been recognised for its achievements in creating outstanding results for students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year. This award supported by The National Centre for Diversity seeks to recognise examples of colleges who champion and practice inclusive leadership.

As a Principal of a large Further Education College in the South West, I could never have imagined the speed of logistics, collaboration and mobilisation that took place this week in partnership with North Somerset Council, to be one of the first Colleges in the country to take part in the Lateral Flow Antigen Test Pilot for staff and students. Using a pop-up site on one of our main campuses (and planed with military precision as part of a Tier 3 region), 100’s of staff and students have already been tested since the pilot began at the College’s Loxton Campus on the 9th December.

It doesn’t really matter – students need us to move on  In August 1980 I entered my career in education, or at least I began to learn the trade of teaching. Now some forty years later I reflect on what has happened over these years but perhaps more poignantly what has occurred in the last ten days. I would never have believed or anticipated what I have witnessed. At a simplistic level, I might have put it down to COVID-19, but at a more analytical level I am deeply saddened because it has signalled a culture of blame, indifference and it begs one key question: Is COVID19 an excuse - or has it just highlighted all the old bureaucracy and lack of responsiveness that must be now overcome?

Official publications of A level and other results, my first day back on site following a long period of virtual management and Welsh shielding- not actually over yet but quite frankly I could not wait any longer!

As a Principal of a large Further Education College in the South West I never cease to be motivated and totally impressed by the dedication and entrepreneurship of my staff. Throughout the COVID crisis they have seized the mantle of digital delivery and their attention to the care of learners and their progression is quite inspirational. It hasn’t mattered at what level staffing has been affected, the response has been the same – whatever needs to be done will be achieved. We have been absolutely privileged to have Gillian Keegan the Minister joining our ‘Virtual Microsoft College’ showcase environment and our end of term virtual staff meeting was both motivational and inspiring.