Senior leaders from Weston College Group, including University Centre Weston (UCW), have been inspired by a recent visit to the University of Worcester.
Visitors from Weston College Group Sadie Skellon (centre) and Gary Durant (second from right) with University of Worcester staff including University Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor David Green (far right)
During the visit, the Weston College Group team praised the University’s strong community connections and its visible commitment to inclusion and accessibility, noting how these align closely with their own values and approach. They also emphasised the opportunities to exchange ideas and strengthen an already collaborative partnership.
The University of Worcester and UCW, the higher education arm of the Weston College Group, in Weston-Super-Mare, have been collaborating to deliver a Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) since last year.
Following a formal partnership agreement in 2025, Sadie Skellon, Vice Principal Higher Education, and Gary Durant, Deputy Principal Curriculum and Quality at Weston College Group, toured a range of the University’s facilities. This included The Hive (the University’s library which is jointly owned and run with Worcestershire County Council), Art House, City Campus, Law School, and Severn Campus.
Reflecting on the visit, Sadie Skellon said: “It’s been great to see some of the impressive facilities available to students. The Hive in particular really stood out, especially how it brings together the community and the University to create seamless opportunities for learning and progression.”
She added that the visit reinforced shared priorities between the two institutions.
“What really resonated was the University’s continued focus on inclusion and accessibility, which reflects our own commitment at UCW,” she said. “With a significant number of our students having learning disabilities, it was valuable to see how inclusive design and thinking are embedded across your campuses.”
Gary Durant, Deputy Principal Curriculum and Quality, said: “I am taking away ideas for engagement with the community. It’s been inspiring to see how you actively position yourselves as part of the wider community.”
Sadie also highlighted the strength of the partnership. “The great thing about this collaboration is that it feels genuinely two-way,” she said. “We’ve been able to share expertise, learn from each other, and work together to create exciting opportunities for students in Weston.”
She added that discussions during the visit also explored future opportunities to build on the partnership, including potential new courses and continued sharing of best practice.