Weston College was proud to welcome the mayor of Weston-super-Mare, councillor Ciarán Cronnelly last week for a talk about democracy and the role of local government.  

Mayor Cronnelly was elected to both North Somerset Council and Weston Town Council in 2019, representing Winterstoke ward. In May of 2023 he was elected mayor. His background before taking up this position was in the charity and volunteering sector, spending his whole career in this area including working for Citizens Advice for a number of years. Mayor Cronnelly said: “This work and volunteering has given me the skills I have now”.  

As a functional role, the mayor is the Chair of Weston Town Council. This means that they make sure that decisions are fair, and that everyone has had their voice heard. People on the council come from a wide range of backgrounds with a diverse range of views, making this incredibly important.  

The mayor also acts as a local and national representative for Weston. Mayor Cronnelly explained to students that he often meets with other mayors in the surrounding area, discussing how the surrounding towns can help each other. He also represents the views of residents by advocating for the Town Council nationally, even visiting Parliament to discuss Weston Town Council.  

The mayor also engages with the police and crime commissioner, as well as carrying out community visits and charity visits. He celebrates the important work that these people and organisations are doing and helps to promote their work to a wider audience. Each mayor chooses a charity for the year with Mayor Cronnelly choosing the Weston Foodbank. He has raised over £7000 since taking office!  

One of the key reasons that the mayor visited Weston College was to discuss democracy with our learners. With a general election approaching this year, the mayor spoke about how important it is to register to vote. Although you can’t vote if you are under eighteen, you can register to vote from sixteen.  

A way Mayor Cronnelly suggested to get involved with democracy at a college level as a student is to get involved with the Student Union. This is a great way to get involved with decisions around college directly and make a difference! The mayor also encouraged students to contact their councillor, or their MP if they have a view on something and tell them this view. “You won’t be heard unless you do get involved.” 

One of the reasons for the visit is to celebrate the AoC Colleges Week 2024. With a general election happening this year, this year’s Colleges Week has a focus on democracy and educating learners about the process and importance of getting involved with government at both a national and local level.  

Mayor Cronnelly was able to give us a strong insight into the workings of local government, as well as informing students on how they can get involved politics and influence change that they want to see from their leaders!  

A huge thanks to the Mayor of Weston, Ciarán Cronnelly for coming in! 

@westoncollege Last week we were joined by the fantastic Ciaran Cronnelly, Mayor of Weston-super-Mare! #collegesweek2024 #loveourcolleges ♬ original sound - WestonCollege

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.

Joe Miller, Weston College’s lecturer in Performing Arts, recently confirmed his dedication to both education and professional performance with a triumphant return to the stage. For 21 years, Joe graced international venues with his talent, particularly as the lead in the acclaimed Irish dance show "Spirit of the Dance." After a five-year hiatus from performing, where Joe concentrated on his teaching, Joe received a special invitation to lead the show once more, this time in Beijing, China, during the February half-term break.

Joe's decision to continue his involvement in the professional dance scene shows his commitment to inspiring his students in Dance and Performing Arts at Weston College. By demonstrating first-hand the rewards of dedication and pursuit of one's passion, Joe hopes to instil a similar drive in his students. Witnessing their lecturer actively engaged in the industry in which he teaches serves as a powerful motivator for students to pursue their dreams with enthusiasm and resilience.

Performing at the prestigious National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing, Joe captivated audiences of up to 5000 attendees each night for a week.

Reflecting on his experience, Joe shared, "I love what I do, and seeing my learners' excitement as they watched videos and photos of me performing professionally once again is truly inspiring. They need to see that passion and hard work can lead to fulfilling careers in the performing arts."

In addition to his performances, Joe seized the opportunity to contribute to the show's promotional efforts by participating in the filming of a new promotional video.

Joe's return to professional dance not only reaffirms his expertise but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for our aspiring performers. His dedication to maintaining industry relevance while nurturing the next generation of talent embodies the ethos of Weston College's commitment to excellence in arts education.

Interested in applying for Performing and Production Arts? 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 and North Somerset Council are pleased to announce a partnership aimed at providing invaluable real-life experience for Education and Early Years learners while offering vital support to families in the local community.

Through this partnership, North Somerset Council will be running their ‘Let’s Play’ group from the 17th April, every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 am at Weston College's Knightstone Campus. This initiative brings together Senior Children Centre Workers and Children Centre Workers from the Council to facilitate the sessions, and the College’s students will be able to take part in planning and delivering these sessions to gain a real insight into the sector.

The Council’s ‘Let’s Play’ team’s expertise will not only support the College's Early Years learners but also enrich the lives of local families with children under the age of 5.

The ‘Let’s Play’ group is a free weekly gathering open to all families with young children in the local community. It aims to provide a nurturing environment where children can engage in activities aligned with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) developmental goals. Additionally, the group fosters a supportive atmosphere that encourages positive interactions and enhances the home learning environment.

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, Families and Lifelong Learning, said: “This partnership is a fantastic way for North Somerset Council and Weston College to work together and enhance people’s skills, learning and employment opportunities, while also helping local families.

“Students can learn from our knowledgeable and skilled children’s centre colleagues, and by helping to deliver ‘Let’s Play’ sessions they’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience of working in the early years sector.

“Local families will also benefit, as our popular free ‘Let’s Play’ sessions provide a range of fun indoor activities for children under five, designed to help their development.”

This collaboration demonstrates North Somerset Council's dedication to supporting the College in nurturing the workforce of the future. As an employer endorser of the Weston College Education Careers Excellence Hub, this is another example of the Council being committed to providing learners with hands-on experiences that prepare them for the demands of the workforce while serving the needs of the community.

By witnessing first-hand the role of support and social workers in the community, learners will gain valuable insights into the complexities of child development and family dynamics.

This initiative aligns with Weston College's mission to provide innovative educational opportunities that empower learners to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. By partnering with North Somerset Council, the College continues to break new ground in experiential learning and community engagement.

Click here for more information about the ‘Let’s Play’ group and North Somerset Council’s Children’s Centres.

You can also follow the Children Centres team on Facebook.

If you are interested in studying an Education and Early Years course or apprenticeship at the College, 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.