STUDENTS are celebrating a new partnership helping them to transition between school and college.

Westfield Arts College has joined forces with Weymouth College to offer its students the new facility which will help them transition into college life.

Westfield Arts College serves students who have moderate and complex learning difficulties.

As part of the partnership, Westfield will have a new base at Weymouth College’s main campus on Cranford Avenue.

Speaking about the new partnership, Andrew Penman, headteacher at Westfield, said: “We have been wondering for some time how best to provide for our sixth form students who are ready for the next stage in their education – an age appropriate college environment. Often they find the transition between school and college a difficult time. We feel that this new College base, Westfield@Weymouth College, will offer our students the best of both worlds – a gradual introduction to College life from the security of a Westfield base.”

Westfield@Weymouth College moved into their new dedicated base at the beginning of the school term and the team said the experience has been ‘extremely positive’ both for the students and staff.

Mr Penman added: “Everyone involved in the project from the Westfield side has been thrilled by how quickly we have been able to build such an easy and productive working relationship with the Weymouth College staff.

“We have been very warmly welcomed and we can see lots of ways in which our partnership could develop in the future.”

Nigel Evans, Interim Principal at Weymouth College, said he was thrilled with the new development. He said: “We are delighted to launch this new joint facility which will give a real opportunity for Westfield students to progress onto mainstream college courses and into employment.

“This in turn will maximize their opportunities and life chances into the future. Both Andrew and myself are thrilled with this new development, as are governors, staff and students.

“The fact that two different institutions can work so effectively together for the benefit of local students is a real testament to our common desire to provide outstanding provision to the local community.”

Westfield@Weymouth College will be officially opening their new base on Friday.