Last term, one of our Level 1 Bricklaying students, Jayden, participated in the Junior Guild of Bricklayers Western Regional competition. This was a fantastic opportunity for Jayden to put his skills into practice and gain valuable learning techniques from peers and industry professionals. 

The Guild of Bricklayers aims to promote and uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork. The Guild annually organises Junior and Senior regional heats through the UK’s construction college network, with the support of industry partnerships. These competitions bring together bricklaying professionals from all over the UK to further develop their skills and confidence. 

During the competition, Jayden was the only first-year Level 1 student competing against Level 2 and Level 3 learners and apprentices. Despite this challenge, he remained undeterred, demonstrating remarkable determination and resilience throughout. He worked tirelessly to produce an accurate model that showcased both his talent and dedication. 

Although he did not place, Jayden gained invaluable experience following the instructions provided to create the complex brickwork. Since the competition, Jayden has been practicing the same model in the workshop to improve his techniques and develop his skills further. 

This competition was an excellent networking opportunity for students, meeting likeminded individuals and industry professionals to gain valuable feedback, further developing their personal and professional growth. 

Following the competition, Jayden received a certificate, a water bottle, and a tape measure for his participation.  

Well done Jayden for your hard work and resilience throughout the competition, you portrayed yourself and the college with maturity and professionalism. 

If you interested in applying to one of our Construction courses in September, click here.

In the past few weeks, our Level 1 Education and Early Years students have successfully and independently planned and delivered a free Stay-and-Play event at Ashcombe Children’s Centre - an exciting milestone in their Sentipensante project. 

Held on Wednesday 18th June, the event welcomed families and carers with children aged 0–5 to participate in two sessions, from 10–11:30am and 1–2:30pm. The project’s goal was to create a community-based experience that allowed learners to bring the curriculum to life, especially through English and Maths skills, while offering a welcoming, play-based environment for young children and their families. 

“This was a brilliant opportunity for learners to put their skills into action and gain real experience working with children and families,” said Lucy Drew, Head of Education and Early Years. “The event sold out just hours after tickets went live, showing just how much the local community values these kinds of activities.” 

Students took full ownership of the project from start to finish. They designed and published posters and social media posts, carefully choosing language, layout, and colour schemes to attract attention. Using their maths knowledge, they worked within a budget to buy refreshments, toys, and materials for activities. They also developed a registration process, applying critical thinking to collect attendee information while managing capacity limits. 

The learners divided into two groups to host both morning and afternoon sessions. Each session provided opportunities for children to play and learn alongside their parents or carers, with activities designed to encourage early development in a fun, supportive setting. 

The Stay and Play event not only demonstrated the learners’ dedication and growth but also showed strong collaboration across departments, with English and Maths staff helping to embed core skills throughout the planning process. It also deepened the college’s partnership with Ashcombe Children’s Centre, setting the stage for hopeful future joint projects. 

Want to become a part of our Early Years and Education stay and play projects, as well as learn about the dynamic early years sector? Browse our courses 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 recently launched our very own Community Choir, led by Susannah Leitch, HE Programme Co-ordinator and Lecturer in Popular Music. The choir has had a brilliant first term, meeting every week at 5.45pm to warm up, loosen up, and sing a wide range of songs together. From upbeat tunes to more relaxed melodies, each session brought something new and fun.

Before getting into the music, the choir took time to look after their voices with gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and posture work, which were perfect after a day spent at desks or in cars. These warm-ups helped everyone relax, improve their vocal techniques, and get into the right headspace for singing.

The group practiced singing both with and without sheet music, using memory and listening skills to learn harmonies, while also brushing up on music reading along the way. There was something for everyone, whether they were a confident singer or completely new to choirs.

Each session encouraged teamwork and a real sense of community. There were opportunities for solos for those who wanted to, and Susannah made sure it was a supportive space to have a go and enjoy the experience. The focus of the choir was on having fun, building confidence, and boosting mental wellbeing through music.

All in all, it’s been a fantastic start for the Weston College Community Choir, and it’s clear that this new programme has made on impact on everyone involved.

Choir Feedback:

“Thank you so much for what you did for us. I am so grateful for meeting you and learning from you! Best teacher ever!”

“Susannah is a great teacher, very pleasant and we’ve had some laughs. Very enjoyable course. Singing makes you feel great.”

“Thank you, Susannah, you are so kind and positive, it helped a lot with my nerves!”

“I found the experience very positive, coming together to have fun, meeting new people and learning music. No-one is wrong and everyone is welcome”

“I enjoyed meeting new people, learning new songs and it was fun singing at the open day”

“The camaraderie especially in the last few weeks as we got to know each other more”

“I loved being able to sing and be musical without any pressure. Very stress relieving, a great outlet.”

“The warmups were great, and especially when they linked to the song we were doing without us realising!”

“I would very much like to return to Choir in September. Please!”

“Thank you so much – Susannah was fab. Hope it continues next term.”

Register your interest for the next Community Choir here.