Held on Saturday 13th June across Weston-super-Mare’s Italian Gardens and Winter Gardens, the annual Summer Spectacular brought together students, staff, families, and members of the local community to mark the end of the academic year and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026. 

From the moment visitors arrived, there was something to discover around every corner. Music and Production learners took to the stage throughout the day, creating a festival atmosphere that set the tone for the celebrations, while curriculum areas from across the College showcased the skills, creativity, and innovation that define the Weston College experience. 

Families immersed themselves in a range of interactive activities, including virtual reality experiences, wellbeing workshops, face painting, and a carpentry pop-up shop. Meanwhile, the College’s Animal Management Centre at Puxton Park introduced some of its most popular residents, with a group of friendly rabbits quickly becoming crowd favourites. 

One of the day’s most inspiring moments came courtesy of Weston College’s Uniformed and Public Service students. Taking on a challenging 16-mile run, the group set off from the Italian Gardens before returning later in the day to a warm welcome from supporters gathered at the event. Their determination and teamwork embodied the spirit of the celebration and earned enthusiastic applause from the crowd. 

The event also welcomed Weston-super-Mare’s newly appointed Mayor, Councillor Owen James, who spent time exploring the various activities and meeting students, staff, and visitors throughout the day. 

Nick Phillips, Assistant Principal, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the Summer Spectacular bring our whole community together in the heart of Weston-super-Mare. From students and staff to families and local residents, the event has been a real celebration of everything achieved over the past year. I’ve been so impressed by the creativity, energy and hard work on display, and I wish the Class of 2026 every success as they move on to their next chapter."

With hundreds of people attending throughout the day, the Summer Spectacular was a vibrant celebration of learning, community, and achievement. The event showcased the incredible talent and dedication that make Weston College such a special place, and we’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back next year.  

And the celebrations are far from over. 

On Wednesday 17th June, the spotlight will turn to the Creative Arts Summer Showcase at Loxton Campus. Featuring work from students across art, design, media, games and animation, and fashion, the exhibition will offer visitors the chance to explore the creativity and talent that continues to thrive across Weston College. 

The showcase will remain open until 26th June, providing plenty of opportunities to discover the exceptional work produced by students over the past year. Find out more here. 

Staff from the Construction Professions and Apprenticeships teams recently rolled up their sleeves to support the "Leaving a Legacy" community project, volunteering their time to help improve local allotments and construct a new timber shed on the Bournville Estate in Weston-super-Mare.

The project, led by Octavius in partnership with Alliance Homes, aims to restore and enhance community allotment spaces for local residents, creating a lasting positive impact for the area.

The volunteering effort began when members of the Apprenticeships team joined the project at The Great Rhyne Gardens. Their activities included de-weeding allotments, planting vegetables, creating woodchip pathways, and sanding and painting various features around the site.

The college has a strong working relationship with Octavius, the main contractor responsible for the Winterstoke Road replacement railway bridge project in Weston-super-Mare and one of the college's valued Career Excellence Hub partners. The partnership currently supports two T Level learners who are completing their industry placements with the company, with one student based on the Winterstoke Road project and another working on the nearby A38 road improvement scheme.

Over the past year, learners and staff have benefited from site visits to Octavius projects, while representatives from the company have visited the college to deliver guest speaker sessions and share valuable industry insights.

Together, the teams helped construct a timber shed for the allotment site on the Bournville Estate, contributing practical skills and teamwork to support the wider restoration project.

The "Leaving a Legacy" project demonstrates the positive impact that can be achieved when education providers, industry partners and housing organisations work together to strengthen local communities. Through initiatives such as this, staff not only support worthwhile causes but also reinforce the strong partnerships that create opportunities for learners and residents alike.

This week, our Performing Arts students took to the stage at The Blakehay Theatre for their production of Fiddler on the Roof Jr.. Performed in front of friends, family, and members of the public, the show brought this much-loved musical to life, showcasing the students’ talent, dedication, and hard work throughout months of rehearsals.

Set in the small village of Anatevka, Fiddler on the Roof Jr. follows the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman, as he navigates changing traditions, family relationships, and community life. Through memorable songs, engaging storytelling, and vibrant ensemble performances, students captivated audiences while demonstrating their acting, singing, and performance skills.

Directed by Lisa Frost and Fiona Philp, Choreographed by Joe Miller, and Produced by Joe Miller and Lisa Frost, the production provided students with invaluable experience both on and off the stage. Throughout the rehearsal process, students developed their performance techniques, learned complex musical numbers and choreography, and worked collaboratively to bring the story and characters to life. Behind the scenes, students also gained experience in areas such as stage management, costume preparation, marketing, and event promotion, helping them develop a broader understanding of theatre production.

Recreating a traditional musical such as Fiddler on the Roof Jr. provides students with valuable personal and professional development opportunities. Through rehearsing and performing a well-known production, students develop their acting, singing, and characterisation skills while building confidence, resilience, teamwork, and professionalism. Working in a live theatre environment also gives them practical insight into the demands of the performing arts industry, helping to prepare them for future careers by strengthening their communication, adaptability, and performance skills.

The project encouraged students to explore all aspects of musical theatre, helping them gain a deeper appreciation of performance, production, and collaboration. Through rehearsals and live performances, students stepped out of their comfort zones and strengthened their confidence, stage presence, communication, and teamwork skills, all of which are essential for success within the creative industries.

Joe Miller, Performing Arts Lecturer at Weston College, said:

“Productions like Fiddler on the Roof Jr. give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of a full-scale musical production. They develop their skills as performers, learn the importance of teamwork and professionalism, and gain confidence by performing in front of live audiences.”

“It has been fantastic to watch the students grow throughout the rehearsal process and see their hard work come together on stage. They should all be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

Well done to all the students who were involved in this fantastic production!

This performance 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 Performing Arts! 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.