Weston College staff departures prompt SEND concerns

A staff member has raised concerns about the impact of a restructure on long-serving employees and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The anonymous staff member told the Weston Mercury: "The restructure has led to dozens of staff with collectively hundreds of years’ experience, many of whom had worked at the college for more than 20 years, resign.

"The college is trying to make out that the changes are due to the new SEND reforms and making the college more inclusive."

They also claimed two parts of the SEND faculty were closing, affecting courses for students who face barriers to mainstream education.

Weston College confirmed that its review and restructure of SEND provision was completed at the end of the 2025/26 academic year.

The college said the changes were designed to meet SEND learners’ needs across its campuses, programmes and services.

A Weston College spokesperson said: "Whilst the staffing changes were implemented, a significant number of new roles were introduced, meaning the total number of staff in the area has grown by over 20%.

"Whilst some courses will not continue, they have been replaced with new programmes that will provide better support and create more pathways for learners with SEND."

The spokesperson said the changes would help the college respond to education reforms and prepare more SEND learners for adult life.

Weston College is set to open The Horizon, a new independent living and training centre for SEND students, next month.

The £3m redevelopment of the former Arosfa Hotel at its Knightstone Campus will bring together independent living and residential services previously based at Weston Bay.

The college said the centre would offer tailored learning, help students become more independent and bring support closer to home for more learners.

The college has undertook a £3m redevelopment of the former Arosfa Hotel (Image: Google Maps)

It has also created a new curriculum division to prevent young people from becoming NEET — not in education, employment or training.

The division would work with organisations including North Somerset Council to help young people and adults overcome barriers to employment.

The Weston College spokesperson added: "This is about more than just education - it’s about independence and opportunity, further cementing Weston College’s commitment to providing extraordinary education and support for learners with SEND, as well as meeting the needs of the local community."

While the college has emphasised growth in staffing and new opportunities for learners, it has not confirmed how many existing employees left as a result of the restructure.

More than 50 roles were believed to be at risk when the changes were first announced in April.