We are proud to announce the remarkable success of our recent RAG Week, where staff and students across all campuses united in a week-long effort to raise funds for charity. RAG Week, short for "raising and giving," saw an impressive total of £3,947.04 raised, thanks to those that kindly donated! 

During this week, participants engaged in a variety of activities and events aimed at supporting charitable causes. This year, we selected two charities to benefit from the funds raised: YoungMinds, a mental health support charity for young people and Weston Hospicecare, our local charity that cares for people with life-limiting illnesses.  

This year, nearly 100 Public Services learners and staff showcased their commitment to our charity week by organising and participating in a marathon run along the seafront. Collectively, they covered 26 miles while dressed up as Spartans and other fun clothing and raising an impressive £921.90 for charity! 

In addition, the Student Experience Team at Weston College had an extraordinary initiative for this year's RAG Week - to host the Olympics! Transforming the campus reception with vibrant decorations reflecting the spirit of the Olympics. Everyone was greeted with a delightful array of cakes and cookies, sold to support charitable causes. Adding to the festive atmosphere, members of the team were dressed in sportswear attire! 

Eve Tullett, Weston College's Student Participation Officer, played a pivotal role in organising RAG Week, ensuring its smooth execution. Eve has expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support from staff and students, emphasising the impact of their collective efforts. "As my first year organising this cross-college event, it was really heart-warming to see learners and staff coming together to put on a vast range of events and activities in aid of charity”. 

"There were lots of innovative ideas, it was incredible to see so many learners and staff taking time out of their days to participate in activities which benefit the wider community”. 

Eve and the Student Executives gained insight into the impact of our fundraising during RAG week by visiting to Weston Hospicecare. They got to see how the funds raised are used within the hospice. Aleksandar, President of the Students' Union says “I found the visit to Weston Hospicecare very insightful, and I learnt a lot. It was nice to see where the money we raised during RAG goes to”.  

Vice President Izabella similarly explains “I entered the hospice with a huge stigma in my head and worries that it would be similar to a hospital, however I left feeling assured, knowing those accessing the hospice are surrounded by love”. Their reflections highlight the importance of community engagement and supporting organisations like Weston Hospicecare. Read more into the Student Union at Weston College here. 

Firstly, we want to thank Eve for her hard work and dedication in managing RAG Week – it has been truly outstanding. Thank you for your tireless efforts in making this event a success! 

And a massive thank you goes to all the staff and students for their generosity and dedication to raise such an incredible amount for spectacular causes! 

Please see below the list of winners for the RAG Week Awards 2024:

Best Dressed: 

Knightstone College Information Services (CIS) - in their own time, the staff even made their own costumes and props! 

Most Innovative Fundraising Idea: 

Early Years and Education – the Task Master style event 

Best Team Event: 

Carpentry – learners and staff excelled in their own idea to make benches from scratch for Ashcombe School! 

Best Team Player: 

Anne Draper (Social Action Apprentice) dedicated her time to commit to the ESOL penalty shootout and Early Years activities. 

Outstanding Contribution: 

Liz Greaves (Health and Safety) for her continuous effort to attend every RAG Week event and give generous donations. 

Most Funds Raised: 

Public Services – staff and learners raised an incredible £921.90 running 26 miles along the seafront! 

Early Years and Education students recently had the opportunity to go to Berlin! Students immersed themselves in new educational settings and cultural experiences. The trip was an exciting adventure filled with new friendships, personal growth, and profound insights into alternative educational approaches. 

The trip offered students the opportunity to explore early years and primary settings vastly different from their own, visiting both the Kita Perelplatz kindergarten and Fichtelgebirger Primary school. Led by dedicated lecturers, the group delved into the heart of Berlin’s educational landscape, at an early years setting catering to children aged 2-6 and a primary setting for children aged 6-11. Both environments embraced an ‘open work’ approach, prioritising choice, independence, and freedom for the children — a stark contrast to traditional educational paradigms.   

Going abroad was a big step for students, but it was all worth it! One student said: “This is so out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I had the courage to come.” Another student said: “This has been an amazing experience and I want to go on the trip next year.”  

Beyond the educational immersion, students relished the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Berlin. From its rich history to its modern cultural offerings, Berlin captivated the hearts and minds of the students. Students were able to visit the Berlin Wall as well as the famous TV tower!  

Early Years lecturer Stacey commented on the trip saying: “Everyone wants to make education and the care of young children the best it can be, and the reflective conversations that followed our visit to the German educational settings highlighted our shared vision for the children in our care and the difference each one of us can make to a child’s life.” 

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.

Weston College is proud to announce a recent visit from Luke Potter, an esteemed musician, songwriter, and producer, renowned for his extensive experience in the music industry with top-flight artists. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing unparalleled educational opportunities for our music learners, Luke Potter generously dedicated his time to share invaluable insights into various facets of the music industry. 

During his visit, Luke Potter imparted his wealth of knowledge and expertise, offering students a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the music business. From songwriting techniques to production secrets, his guidance proved instrumental for budding artists seeking to navigate the competitive landscape of the industry. 

Recognising the immense value of Luke Potter's mentorship, Weston College is thrilled to announce that he has agreed to return in the upcoming academic year to host an exclusive songwriting workshop. This workshop promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for students to further hone their skills under the guidance of a seasoned professional. 

Luke Potter's commitment to nurturing the next generation of musical talent aligns perfectly with Weston College's mission to empower students with the tools they need to succeed in their chosen field. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming workshop and are grateful to Luke Potter for his ongoing support and dedication to education within the music industry. 

Music lecturer Oz Cahill said: “Luke’s visit is adding great value to our courses, alongside yet another important industry connection.” 

This guest speaker forms part of the Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands. 

A big thanks to Luke for coming in! To find out more about Music at Weston College, 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.