Last week, 24 of our learners across the college travelled to London ExCeL convention centre for Comic Con with our Student Engagement team, giving students the opportunity to meet exhibitors, artists, and professionals from all over to engage with.

The trip to Comic Con provided students with the opportunity to explore the creative industries and immerse themselves in a world of comics, gaming, film, television and popular culture. Learners were able to browse hundreds of exhibitor stalls showcasing everything from comics, manga and collectibles to clothing, artwork and exclusive merchandise. They also had the opportunity to meet independent artists, comic creators and illustrators, discover their work and learn more about the creative processes behind it. Alongside this, students could get involved in a range of interactive activities, including console and retro gaming, board games, Dungeons & Dragons and hands-on demonstrations from major gaming publishers.

The event also offered valuable opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals and like-minded individuals, with live panels, Q&A sessions, screenings and discussions providing insight into different areas of the entertainment industry. Learners could meet celebrity guests from film, television, gaming, anime and voice acting, with opportunities to collect autographs and photographs, as well as experience the creativity and craftsmanship of the cosplay competitions. Most importantly, the trip allowed students to connect with people from around the world who share similar interests, broaden their knowledge of the industries they are passionate about and gain inspiration for their own creative interests and future ambitions.

The trip was open to all learners, bringing together students from a variety of subject areas and providing them with the opportunity to meet others who shared similar interests. It was a fantastic opportunity for learners to step outside their usual course groups, build new friendships, develop their confidence and create lasting memories together.

Following the trip, the students provided feedback saying, "It was genuinely the best trip I’ve ever been on", "Made my year" and that it was "nice to meet some really kind people and cool cosplays!!". This feedback shows the impact that trips like this can have on student experience and creates lasting memories that goes beyond the classroom.

In order to maintain the positive engagement across the college, the Student Engagement team have also organised several other trips for students to take part in throughout the year, including:

For more information on these trips, email student.union@weston.ac.uk

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.

Last week, our Year 2 Level 3 Performing Arts students gained valuable industry experience at Puxton Park, where they took part in a Halloween-themed work experience opportunity. Dressing up as spooky characters, students interacted with members of the public, handed out sweets to Trick or Treaters and brought their characters to life through creative performances.

Students transformed into a variety of spooky personalities, including clowns, witches, vampires, dolls, pirates, mermaids, and Vikings. Positioned behind Trick or Treat doors across the park, they waited for visitors to knock before stepping into character, engaging with families and handing out bags of sweets. Some also volunteered to work Puxton Park’s Moonlit Pumpkin Patch where they remained in costume and walked around the patch greeting guests. This provided learners with the opportunity to put their performance skills into practice in a real-world setting, entertaining visitors of all ages and helping to create a fun and memorable Halloween experience for families.

The experience was led by Level 3 student Lola, who took on the responsibility of being the main point of contact throughout the week, managing any issues that arose and supporting her peers. This provided Lola with a fantastic opportunity to develop her leadership and problem-solving skills, while giving all students a greater sense of responsibility and ownership by working independently within an established workplace. Students also demonstrated excellent professionalism and respect throughout the experience, receiving very positive feedback from both visitors and Puxton Park staff. Working in shifts, they ensured everyone had the opportunity to experience different areas of the park while allowing time for regular breaks.

The project also provided an exciting opportunity for cross-college collaboration, with our Level 3 Theatrical, Special Effects, Prosthetics and Make-up Extended Diploma students joining the experience to create the Performing Arts students' character make-up. Each Make-up student was given a brief outlining their counterpart's costume and was responsible for bringing the character to life through their make-up application. As part of their work experience hours, this allowed them to apply the techniques and knowledge developed in the classroom to a practical, industry-inspired setting, while working collaboratively with learners from another curriculum area.

Opportunities like this provide our students with valuable hands-on experience, allowing them to develop their confidence, enhance their skills and gain practical experience in a supportive environment. The support of local businesses and employers, such as Puxton Park, is a fantastic example of community collaboration, helping to nurture future talent while providing our students with valuable opportunities for professional growth.

Abbie Hannaby, Careers and Employability Co-ordinator at Weston College, said: “Work Experience is a fantastic opportunity that provides our students with valuable hands-on experience, allowing them to develop their confidence, enhance their skills and gain practical experience in a supportive environment, helping to prepare them for their future careers. The support of local businesses and employers, such as Puxton Park, is a fantastic example of community collaboration, helping to nurture future talent while providing our students with valuable opportunities for professional growth.”

A huge well done to our students for working incredibly hard throughout the week and presenting themselves professionally.

This work experience opportunity forms part of the Performing Arts 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.

Progress to the next level in Musical Theatre or Make-up, Wigs and Special Effects! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

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.

Learners currently taking part in The King’s Trust Team programme recently had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Simulation Centre, where they took part in an inspiring, hands-on learning experience.

The visit gave learners the chance to explore the wide range of career opportunities available across the NHS, discovering the many clinical and non-clinical roles that play an important part in delivering high-quality patient care. From working directly with patients to supporting the wider operations of the NHS, learners gained a better understanding of the different ways they could build a career within the healthcare sector.

As well as finding out more about the variety of roles available, learners also explored the different routes and pathways into NHS careers, helping them understand the qualifications, training and experience needed to pursue these opportunities.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to put their learning into practice by carrying out initial patient assessments using high-fidelity simulation manikins. This gave learners a valuable insight into the practical skills and knowledge required in a clinical environment, allowing them to experience an aspect of working in healthcare first-hand.

Experiences like this are an important part of The King’s Trust Team programme, helping learners discover new interests, build confidence and explore potential career pathways through engaging, real-world opportunities.

A huge thank you to the team at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Simulation Centre for welcoming our learners, sharing their knowledge and expertise, and helping to inspire the next generation of NHS professionals!