2023 has been a fantastic year for guests visiting our learners here at Weston College! It’s time to look back through at the guests, each bringing a unique perspective and fresh knowledge to our students.  

Each guest lecture and guest workshop that is delivered helps learners to build their knowledge in a wider context than they may have seen before, allowing them to learn about new careers and businesses.  

Purplex Workshop Inspires Learners 

Our business learners had an insightful workshop from local marketing agency Purplex Marketing. Adi Day and Beth Patch spoke to the learners about what B2B (business-to-business) marketing entails and how they can progress into this industry.  

Read the full story here!

Loud Speaker Workshops Motivate Learners 

All learners were invited to Loud Speaker ‘Game of Life’ Workshops. These aimed to help young people build their resilience and confidence as well as raising their aspirations, increasing their emotional intelligence & developing unique personal storytelling skills.   

Our Head of Personal Development and Student Voice, Antonia Travers said: “The workshops were highly energetic and motivational, they supported the development of learner's communication, resilience and inspired them to think about their futures and aim high.” 

Read all about it here! 

Alex Lipinksi  

Students were able to meet and interview Alex Lipinski in April. Alex’s advice to the students was to keep their own identity with music and to be honest in their songs. He also gave the students some tips on the best way to get their music out onto the scene.  

Later in the year, Alex came back to Weston College in October to perform a live album recording! Alex said: “I wanted to give something back; so, we’re bringing the band, a professional sound engineer, and top-flight videographer to work collaboratively with students at the college, in a real, and incredibly important piece of work.” 

Read both stories here and here. 

ESOL Students Enjoy Rounders and a Dyson Guest Lecture 

Our ESOL learners had an exciting guest lecture from Dyson, where representatives told learners about their cutting-edge inventions, their competitive edge in the market, and the intricate journey of developing and testing new products.   

After the informative session, students were given the chance to interact with Dyson robots. They had the opportunity to control and code the robots to follow routes on a map. 

Read the full story here. 

Later in the year, ESOL students were able to team up with Avon and Somerset Police, as well as Avon Fire and Rescue in a fun rounders match, designed to build community ties.  

ESOL lecturer Liam said: “The atmosphere in the sports hall was welcoming, good-humoured and inclusive. Adding to this the police and fire service were kind enough to bring food along and take the time chatting and getting to know the learners.” 

Read about the match here! 

Apprentices Inspire Students – Visit Somerset Industry Day 

Weston College has fantastic links to local businesses, including Visit Somerset. Apprentices got involved with the students, and shared their experience of their apprenticeship, by setting up a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch for students. 

At Weston College, it is always a thrill to see Apprentices who are flourishing in their career journey, investing back and mentoring! 

Read about it here. 

Guinot Visit Beauty Therapy Learners 

Our Level 3 Beauty Therapy learners were treated to a guest lecture and demonstration from an industry professional at Guinot, the No. 1 Beauty Salon in France. 

Learners had the opportunity to further develop electrical therapy technical skills, gaining knowledge and information about the treatments and products available.  

Read all about it here! 

Mollie's Deliver Exciting Guest Lecture 

Our Travel and Tourism and Business students were fortunate to receive a guest lecture from Lindsey Williams, who is the Head of Sales at Mollie's. Learners were given an insight into the company’s plans to expand into new markets, as well as getting a sneak peek into some new initiatives.  

Read about it here.

Former Detective's Fascinating Lecture 

Former detective for Gloucestershire Constabulary Tony Jay captivated A Level law, Level 3 Criminology and Access to HE Social Sciences students with his firsthand account of the notorious Fred and Rose West serial killer case. 

Read the story here. 

Leroy Rosenior Visits Media Students 

Weston College received a visit from a very special guest, Leroy Rosenior. Leroy is a former West Ham, Fulham, QPR and Bristol City football player, who visited our Year 2 Media Production students to assist with their Broadcast Journalism project. 

Leroy does incredibly important work as an anti-racism campaigner, educating schools and colleges about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. He is an ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. Leroy’s work to remove discrimination is so strong that it even earned him an MBE in 2019. 

Read the full story here!

That's it for this year. We can't wait to show all of the guest speakers and workshops coming in 2024! 

In January, Weston College – one of three National Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Need and Disabilities (SEND), is launching a FREE Understanding Autism course.

The 10-week virtual course is an opportunity to empower parents and carers of children and young people on the autism spectrum. Commencing on January 17th and taking place on the 10 following Wednesdays, this course aims to foster a supportive community and equip participants with valuable insights into autism.

The course is designed to be accessible for as many people as possible, with two different time slots (10am-12pm or 6pm-8pm) offering flexibility to accommodate busy schedules.

There are several key topics, which will be covered during the course:

Comprehensive Understanding of Autism

Delve into the fundamentals of autism, gaining insights into its nature, characteristics, and the diverse spectrum it encompasses.

Communication Difficulties

Explore effective communication strategies tailored for individuals on the autism spectrum, promoting better interaction and understanding.

Sensory Issues

Develop an understanding of sensory sensitivities and learn practical approaches to navigate and support individuals with sensory challenges.

Collaborating with Professionals

Gain valuable tips on effective collaboration with professionals, ensuring a holistic support network for autistic individuals.

Legislation and Rights

Navigate the legal landscape surrounding autism, empowering participants with knowledge about relevant legislation and the rights of individuals with autism.

Community Engagement

This virtual course serves as a platform for parents and carers to come together, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, share best practices, and build a supportive network. The course is not just about learning but about connecting with others who share similar journeys.

If you are interested in this course, please email lucy.behan@weston.ac.uk.