This month, Weston College celebrated Raising and Giving (RAG) Week with the theme of the Wild West. The themed event gave everyone the chance to organise games, activities, and raffles in support of two incredible charities: Weston Hospicecare and UNICEF. 

Weston Hospicecare provides vital palliative care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, while also offering essential emotional support to their families. UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) operates in over 190 countries, working to protect children’s rights through initiatives such as vaccinations, education, access to food and clean water, and safeguarding. 

Throughout the week, students from across the college took part in a wide variety of fundraising activities, showcasing teamwork, creativity, and community spirit. RAG Week is held annually at colleges across the UK and is a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved, have fun, and make a difference ahead of the exam season. 

Our SEND learners played a huge role in the week’s success, hosting an exciting lineup of events including a dance-a-thon, Mario Kart tournaments, Buckaroo and Pony Club racing, karaoke sessions, and even a Wild West-themed bar serving snacks and drinks. Their energy and commitment were outstanding, with multiple events taking place each day. 

Other curriculum areas also embraced the challenge, with Construction students going above and beyond by selling scrap wood and organising a raffle featuring high-quality tools. Across the college, staff and students fully embraced the theme, dressing up in cowboy hats, bandanas, and plenty of denim. The Student Engagement Team added to the atmosphere by selling themed accessories, helping to raise additional funds while encouraging participation. 

Protective Services students also organised an impressive 30-mile Wild West-themed stretcher relay challenge along the seafront. This provided a great opportunity for students to have fun, stay active, and support two meaningful causes, as well as prepare them for the upcoming Ten Tors Challenge and future careers in the Protective Services industry.  

A highlight of the week was the college-wide raffle, which included a range of popular prizes such as day passes and tickets to local attractions, including restaurants, cinemas, and activity centres. Bake sales were also held to boost fundraising efforts. 

Other curriculum areas across the college also got involved, with Early Years students enjoying a pyjama day, while Business and Travel students organised a games afternoon and football match. Health and Social Care and Sport students hosted a Nerf gun tin can alley and a rodeo rush event, and Digital students led a Pokémon GO raid walk through Weston-super-Mare town centre. 

Overall, the week brought together students and staff from every campus, creating an exciting, inclusive, and impactful celebration of community and charity. In total, RAG Week raised an impressive £3,723.98 for Weston Hospicecare and UNICEF. 

Thank you to everyone who organised events, took part, or made a donation. Your support made the week such a success and helped raise an incredible amount for these important causes.

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. 

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.