Our pre-vocational programme recently welcomed St Giles Trust to host a seminar and speak to our learners about County Lines.

We welcomed a gentleman called Cairo to deliver the session, who has had a previous involvement in organised crime and county lines in the past, making the discussions during the seminar powerful to hear, and allowed our learners to learn from his lived experiences. Cairo shared the misconceptions he had during his involvement in organised crime, explaining that he initially believed it would be a glamorous lifestyle. However, he soon discovered that it was far from glamorous, revealing the harsh and troubling reality behind it. There were 25 learners in the room who accessed the session, with many staying behind after to speak with Cairo, ask questions and get advice.

For many of our young people, the risk of involvement with county lines and organised crime is significant due to a number of factors. This makes having the lived experience of Cairo and support from St Giles Trust truly positive and impactful.

Joe Radcliffe, Head of Pre-Vocational Learning, said, "We were pleased to welcome St Giles Trust and Cairo as guest speaker to Weston College to talk to our pre-vocational students. Cairo's message was extremely powerful, and we are hoping that this with resonate with the learners and encourage safe activity out in the community. We are hoping to continue to work closely with St Giles Trust and Avon and Somerset Police with the intent of supporting young people to make informed choices when they are out in the community to ensure they are keeping themselves safe from crime and exploitation."

We look forward to working with St Giles Trust again in future and want to say a big thank you to Cairo for his time with our learners!

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. 

Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour MP for North Somerset, visited Weston College to engage with students, offering inspiration to the next generation while gaining insights from young people on potential changes and improvements for his campaigns.  

Sadik was elected in July 2024 and brings nearly two decades of experience as a pharmacist; a background that strongly influences his political interests and initiatives. 

His visit began with a Q&A session with Politics and Economics A Level students, where he shared his journey from pharmacy to politics and how this transition has shaped his campaign. This session provided learners with valuable insights into entering politics and an opportunity to discuss his views and policies.  

Following the Q&A, Sadik joined Weston College Principal, Pat Jones, and Deputy Principal, Alex Warner, as part of a panel for a Dragon’s Den-style activity. Here, students from A Level Environmental Health presented innovative ideas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Weston-super-Mare. From litter-picking initiatives and improved public transport, to AI-powered waste bins and electric car vacuums, students showcased well-researched, confident, and professional proposals. The panel questioned each group before selecting a winner based on research, feasibility, and sustainability, encouraging students to consider small but impactful ways to drive change and make a difference.  

Given Sadik’s extensive background in pharmacies, a tour of the Health and Active Living Skills Centre was a key part of the visit. Sadik explored the impressive Health, Social Care and Sport facilities, such as the Medical Simulation Room, and observed a Level 2 Health and Social Care lecture, where students simulated real-life patient-carer scenarios to develop empathy and practical skills.  

The visit concluded with a lunch meeting with Student Representatives, where discussions focused on student-led initiatives, strategies, and the changes they’ve implemented to improve Weston College based on peer feedback.  

Sadik was impressed with the professionalism and insightfulness of our learners, saying, “It was wonderful to visit Weston College to meet the hardworking teams and amazing students. Having a chance to talk with them all and answer their questions was a privilege and more than a little enjoyable for me.  

The entire day I met with students representing the hopes of North Somerset, whether quizzing me on assisted dying or showing me projects that could solve our climate crisis, they showed how bright our future could be.” 

Overall, Sadik Al-Hassan’s visit left learners feeling inspired and empowered. His journey into politics demonstrated that career paths are not always direct and linear, encouraging students to pursue their ambitions, regardless of where they start.  

We would like to say a big thank you to Sadik Al-Hassan for taking the time to visit our students and provide meaningful advice for their future. 

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. 

This month’s featured trailblazer is Jasmine Jaji, a former engineering student and winner of the 2022 Engineering Student of the Year award. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring, particularly as a female figure in STEM. Now pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of South Wales, Jasmine shares her experiences at Weston College and how her path was shaped.  

After moving to the area, Jasmine discovered Weston College through positive recommendations. Keen to explore the facilities, she attended an Open Evening and was impressed by the personal tour of the engineering department. “I found that Weston College had the best courses available for engineering, as well as brilliant facilities like the fabrication rooms,” she recalls.  

During her time at Weston College, Jasmine developed both soft and technical skills, including machining and fabrication. She received hands-on training in operating lathes, mills, and CNC machines, as well as welding and hand-fitting techniques. The College’s state-of-the-art resources also allowed her to refine her skills in SolidWorks, a computer-aided design software. “I had the opportunity to improve my SolidWorks proficiency and even had my own designs 3D printed on campus!” she shares.  

Like many students, Jasmine was uncertain about her next steps. However, with the support of her tutor and regular one-on-one guidance, she gained clarity on her career options. “My tutor was a huge support, helping me explore different career paths through weekly meetings and check-ins,” she explains.  

One of Jasmine’s favourite aspects of her studies was the fabrication workshop, where she enjoyed the hands-on experience of operating lathes independently. “There’s something rewarding about turning a length of steel into a tool like a plumb bob or a drill-and-tap gauge,” she says. She also appreciated the trust and respect fostered between students and lecturers in the workshop environment.  

Struggling to engage with traditional classroom-based learning after her GCSEs, Jasmine found Weston College’s hands-on teaching approach to be a perfect fit. “I knew engineering at Weston College would involve practical learning, and I hoped it would reignite my love for education,” she explains. Her passion for engineering deepened as she gained new skills and spent generous time in workshops.  

Jasmine successfully completed her Level 2 and 3 Engineering Diplomas at Weston College, followed by a foundation year in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Wales. She has since progressed to a bachelor's degree and impressed engineers at IrvinGQ, a company specialising in certified parachutes and aerial safety solutions. In the summer of 2024, she secured a placement there, gaining invaluable industry experience.  

Following her placement, Jasmine received outstanding exam results and was offered a place in the integrated master’s degree program. Now in her first year of an MEng in Mechanical Engineering, she is set to graduate in 2026.  

Reflecting on her journey, Jasmine is proud of how far she has come—from a Year 2 Engineering student at Weston College to a master’s degree candidate. “I would recommend Weston College, especially the engineering campus, to students who prefer hands-on learning and a creative approach to education,” she says. She also praises the College’s outstanding STEM facilities, stating, “They are the best I have come across.”  

Jasmine expresses gratitude to the staff at Weston College for their encouragement and support. As a woman in engineering, she found inspiration in female representation in the field, which motivated her to achieve remarkable milestones in her career.

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.