Sport students were recently given a unique opportunity to experience the inner workings of elite football during a behind-the-scenes visit to Bristol City Football Club on a busy matchday at Ashton Gate Stadium.

The visit offered learners an exclusive insight into the club’s performance analysis environment, providing a valuable glimpse into the professional standards and practices required at the highest level of the sport. Students were able to engage with industry professionals and gain a deeper understanding of how analysis supports team performance on matchdays.

Luke Morgan, a former Weston College learner who now works as an Analyst at Bristol City FC, made a strong impression on the group by showcasing the opportunities available within the sports industry, helping to build the learner's ambition, raise standards and show them what is possible if they are prepared to work for it.

Dan Pratlett, Head of Sport, said: “We’re really grateful to Luke for giving up his time on a busy matchday to give our learners such a valuable insight. Opportunities like this help learners understand the real standards of elite sport and motivate them to push themselves towards careers in the industry.”

A huge thank you to Luke Morgan and the wider team at Bristol City FC for their time and support in delivering such an impactful experience. The visit highlights the importance of industry links in enhancing education and inspiring the next generation of sport professionals.

Earlier this month, our Art & Design UAL Foundation Diploma and Extended Diploma students organised an art exhibition at The Gallery Space in Bristol to showcase their fantastic work to friends, family, and members of the public. 

This exhibition celebrated a range of talents and diverse artwork and gave our students the opportunity to see their artwork being professionally displayed in a real-world setting. The exhibition is entitled ‘Aleatory’, which means relying on chance or an uncontrolled element in the composition and production of art.  

Not only this, the diverse exhibition concentrated on a limited space which featured a range of mediums used by students, such as textiles, fine art, graphics, illustrations, photo media, film and 3D work. It was an excellent opportunity for the students to showcase their talent and potential in a professional environment. 

Giving these students the opportunity to display their work in a professional exhibition offers many benefits including building confidence and a sense of achievement within our learners, as students see their ideas valued and appreciated by friends, family, and the wider public. It also encourages self-expression by giving learners the opportunity to trial a range of different mediums, broaden their skillsets, and help them discover and refine their artistic identity. 

Additionally, exhibiting in a formal setting provides real-world experience of the art industry, including presentation, curation, and audience engagement. It can provide networking opportunities, feedback from a broader audience, and even potential commissions or career pathways. It is an excellent event to develop their portfolio and prepare our students for future careers in the creative industry.  

Rachel Clayton, lecturer in the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, added, “This annual exhibition is a great way for our students to externally present their work in the lively city of Bristol that is known for its vibrant art scene. This year’s exhibition went extremely well, and the private view was extremely busy and successful. It was one of our best years in terms of student commitment, level of student work and public interest, and we were proud to have it all on display for the public to enjoy.” 

A huge well done to all the students who displayed their artwork, your hard work and talent made this event what it was and was an excellent reflection of the diverse artwork students are encouraged to produce.  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Art and Design 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 Art & Design! 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. 

Weston College was proud to attend the Somerset AI Summit as a key partner of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, joining businesses, researchers and innovators from across the region to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of work.

The summit, organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the University of Exeter, took place at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton. The event focused on practical applications of AI for local businesses, with workshops and discussions exploring generative AI, automation and strategies for adopting AI in the workplace.

Representing Weston College at the event were Joe Abdulgani, Assistant Principal – Knightstone Campus, and Nichola Ripley, Apprenticeship and Skills Account Manager, who engaged with employers and partners from across the county. Joe was invited to participate in a panel debate, sharing insights on the importance of skills, education and workforce development as businesses begin to adopt AI technologies.

However, the conversation also raised an important question: if automation removes some entry-level tasks, what does this mean for young people entering the job market?

At Weston College, we see this as a key moment for collaboration between education and employers. By working together on workforce planning and future skills, we can ensure businesses are ready for the inevitable changes AI will bring, while also creating meaningful pathways for the next generation.

The summit highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between education providers and industry to ensure the workforce is equipped with the skills needed for an AI-enabled future.

Joe Abdulgani: "Being part of the Somerset AI Summit panel was incredibly valuable. The discussions reinforced how essential it is for colleges to teach students about AI usage in a safe, ethical and responsible way. We also explored employers’ expectations around data safety and corporate AI governance, and how education and industry must work together to prepare learners for the realities of an AI‑enabled workplace.

“It was also fantastic to hear from the guest speakers about what AI means for the future of jobs. Their insights strongly reinforced the importance of human skills, creativity and professional judgement - areas where AI can support but not replace the uniquely human qualities that drive innovation. Events like this matter because being in the room with employers, policymakers and innovators ensures our curriculum remains relevant, future‑focused and aligned to the needs of the region.”

Reflecting on the event, Nichola said: "It was fascinating to hear how local employers across Somerset are already benefiting from the power of AI. A strong theme throughout the event was that while AI can improve efficiency and speed up processes, jobs are not disappearing. Instead, the most critical factor remains the human in the loop - the insight, creativity and decision making that AI simply can’t replace.

‘We’re here to support employers in navigating this shift, from identifying skills gaps to developing talent through apprenticeships and workforce development programmes, many of which can be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.”

If you would like to discuss how Weston College can support your organisation with apprenticeship and skills solutions, please contact employers@weston.ac.uk