In the last month, our Level 1 Education and Early Years learners hosted two ‘Stay and Play’ sessions for families in the local community to join a fun-filled drop-in session led by our learners.  

The first ‘Stay and Play’ event offered learners an opportunity to put their planning and facilitation skills into action while providing a welcoming space for children aged 0-5 and their parents or carers. Under the guidance of their tutors, learners carefully planned, resourced, and delivered a variety of age-appropriate activities to engage the children and create a fun, supportive environment. 

Eight learners facilitated the event on the day, while their peers played a vital role in planning, setting up, and tidying the room. The excitement was evident as they welcomed 10 families to the session. Our learners took the lead in registering families upon arrival, completing risk assessments for activities, and ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the event.  

Despite some initial nerves, they embraced their roles with professionalism, engaging warmly with both the children and their parents. It was particularly rewarding to see the learners’ confidence grow as they interacted with families and managed the session with maturity.  

Building on the success of the first session, our learners hosted their annual Christmas-themed ‘Stay and Play’ event. Once again, our Level 1 Education and Early Years learners took ownership of the session from start to finish, demonstrating their growing confidence and leadership skills. Their responsibilities included advertising the event, sourcing materials, and planning festive activities tailored for young children. 

The session was a joyful celebration of the season, welcoming children as young as 14 weeks old. Festive crafts, including Christmas card-making, were a highlight of the day, as was the opportunity for children to play with ‘snow,’ - a sensory experience that sparked curiosity and excitement.  

To top it all off, a very special visitor, Santa Clause, made an appearance, delighting the children and gifting each one a book to take home. 

It was wonderful to see a different group of learners step into leadership roles for this session. Their confidence and enthusiasm were evident as they engaged with the children and formed positive connections with parents and carers.  

Events like these not only benefit the families in our community but also provide invaluable hands-on experience for our learners as they develop skills essential for their future careers. 

We look forward to hosting more sessions and continuing to strengthen the bond between our learners and the local community. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Education and Early Years courses in September, click here. 

Recently, our Sixth Form learners demonstrated an act of kindness and compassion, fostering a heartwarming sense of community between themselves and Clarence Park Nursing Home this Christmas. Recognising that the holiday season can be a difficult time for many, particularly for those who may feel alone, the learners wanted to offer a small but meaningful gesture that would make a significant impact.

Last week, the Sixth Form learners prepared and delivered personalised Christmas cards to the residents of Clarence Park Nursing Home. To make their messages more personal and thoughtful, the learners were provided with brief biographies highlighting the residents’ interests and backgrounds. Each Year 2 tutor group participated in this initiative by writing heartfelt letters and creating handmade cards for individuals who resonated with them. This allowed each student to connect with their chosen recipient on a deeper level, adding a special touch to their gesture.

The cards were hand-delivered by a group of four learners accompanied by three members of staff, who visited the nursing home to share the festive spirit. Many of the residents will likely be spending Christmas alone and were therefore deeply touched by the visit. The entire initiative was thoughtfully organised by Di Dourley, one of our teaching learner mentors, who ensured the connection between the learners and the residents was meaningful and well-coordinated.

Seeing the learners engage with the residents and witness their reactions to the cards was a source of immense pride. The residents’ responses were extremely moving, with some overcome by emotion and brought to tears by this simple but powerful gesture. It was a humbling reminder of the impact that kindness can have, especially during the festive season.

We hope this initiative marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship with Clarence Park Nursing Home and its residents. By building these connections, we aim to continue fostering a sense of community and compassion, ensuring that no one feels alone during the holidays. This experience has reminded both our learners and our staff of the importance of giving back and creating joy in the lives of others, no matter how small the gesture may seem.

Well done to our A Level learners for taking the time to write personalised Christmas cards for these residents and thank you to Clarence Park Nursing Home for assisting us with this and bring it all to life.

If you are interested in applying to our Sixth Form next September, click here.

Students from various subjects, including Health and Social Care, Sport and Fitness, Art and Design, and Music, came together to host a memorable Christmas Fair this holiday season, raising funds for Weston Hospice Care. With festive games, delicious treats, and heart-warming activities, the event brought together the public, students, and staff for a day filled with joy, fun, and community spirit. 

This event was publicised to local charities, hospices and care homes to bring them together this Christmas and get them in the festive spirit. All our games and activities were made to be accessible and inclusive so some of our guests gave our Christmas games a go and won a handful of chocolates. 

The learners played a significant role in making the Christmas fair a success. The day featured free festive games for both the staff and the visitors, including throwing 'snowballs’ at reindeer cups, magnetic darts, Christmas bingo, and hoop toss onto reindeer antlers. Guests also enjoyed arts and crafts sessions with pipe cleaners, pompoms, wreath kits, and colouring activities, alongside unique handmade ornaments created by Art and Design learners. 

The event offered something for everyone: a lively ‘Strictly Just Dance’ session judged by students, yoga, accessible walking football, and running football. The tombola and raffle raised money with its abundance of prizes, while the Craft Café served tea, coffee, cakes, and savoury bites. Guests could also get tinselled hair and enjoy live performances by Music students, set to a soundtrack of classic Christmas tunes. 

The Christmas Fair was dedicated to raising funds for Weston Hospice Care, with proceeds from raffles, the tombola, handmade ornaments, and donations supporting the hospice’s vital work. Residents and staff from Weston Hospice Care, Acer House, Orchard House, and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston attended, adding to the festive atmosphere. Special guests included the Mayor of Weston-Super-Mare and, of course, Santa Claus himself. 

One of our guests, Laura, said, “it was a very enjoyable morning. My favourite part of the day was the young man playing the guitar.” 

The entire event was made even more festive as students and staff wore Christmas jumpers and accessories, creating a cheerful and welcoming environment. Learners enthusiastically led activities and engaged with visitors, ensuring smiles and laughter filled the day. It was a celebration of togetherness and a wonderful way to support a meaningful cause during the holiday season. 

Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Fair and celebrated the festive season with us, and thank you to our learners for stepping up and helping with the event. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Health and Social Care, Sport and Fitness, Art and Design, or Music courses next September, click here.