We welcomed some canine models to our Loxton Campus recently, for an exciting dog photoshoot!  

Level 3 Creative & Commercial Photography students opened up their studio to members of the public for a free photography session for their dogs. Working in shifts over three days, the learners worked carefully to produce amazing snaps of the dogs, capturing the best angles and getting doggy smiles. After each session, dog owners received their photos in high-resolution digital form. 

Animal welfare was our top priority. All the dogs and their owners had a great time and were well looked-after. Among the excitement, the dogs lapped up all the attention and put their best paw forward! It wasn’t just the dogs enjoying themselves, the students enjoyed the interaction with the dogs and the exercise also proved very beneficial for the mental health of students and staff alike. 

Aside from all the fun and enjoyment, the sessions taught photography learners a wide range of important skills. Students learned to work with clients by working with the dog owners, plan their time effectively, prepare and use studio and camera equipment creatively, carry out risk assessments, solve practical and technical problems, and work as a team. Achieving success in these areas, and overcoming challenges helped to build learner’s self-confidence as well as their communication skills. 

Photography lecturer Paul French hailed the session as a triumph, saying: “Despite some excited behaviour among our doggie divas, the shoots were a huge success and rewarding experience for the learners who enjoyed a great sense of accomplishment. The owners were delighted with the photos which are even now enhancing our student portfolios to support progression.”  

Always quick with a joke, Paul added: “I anticipate seeing our pet portraits on the cover of DOGUE magazine shortly!”  

Find out more about our UAL Diploma in Creative and Commercial Photography here. Find out more about all of our Creative Arts courses 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.

Weston College proudly announces the exceptional results and positive feedback received from the Association of Colleges (AoC) regarding its delivery of the FA Women's Football Apprentice programme. As the national training provider for this ground-breaking initiative, Weston College has excelled in providing a transformative apprenticeship that not only fosters increased female participation in football but also enhances employability skills for a promising career in the sport. 

The FA Women's Football Apprentice programme spans 22 months and is delivered by ten colleges nationwide, with Weston College being one of those. The initiative aims to empower young women in football by offering a level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer apprenticeship. The programme's unique approach not only cultivates skills in community sports but also equips participants to take on leadership roles in women's football. 

Statistics reveal that an impressive 90% of the current apprentices feel confident in their communication skills to engage with more diverse stakeholders in women's football. Furthermore, a remarkable 100% of the apprentices feel better equipped to take on leadership roles in women's football from completing their apprenticeship so far. 

Georgia Ferdinando, an alumna of Weston College's FA Women's Football Apprentice programme, completed her apprenticeship in August 2022. She attributes her personal and professional growth to the program, stating, "Without my apprenticeship, there are so many things I just wouldn't have done." Georgia has since become a valuable asset to the community, joining the Somerset FA Youth Council. She is now a Sport and Wellbeing Engagement Officer here at Weston College! She notes, "The journey I have been on with my confidence is something I am really proud of, and I credit it to the support I received during my apprenticeship." 

The success of the program is praised by line managers of the current apprentices. One manager expresses gratitude, stating, "If the support from the FA and AoC wasn't there, we simply couldn't offer an apprenticeship opportunity like this. It has really benefitted the college and also our apprentice." 

Weston College remains committed to fostering the next generation of female leaders in football and is honoured to be recognized for its outstanding contribution to the FA Women's Football Apprentice programme.  

Weston College also expresses their gratitude to the Association of Colleges (AoC) and FA for giving such incredible opportunities to students that aspire to have a career in sport.

If you're interested in our Sport and Fitness courses, click here to find out more!

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.

Recently, 20 learners studying Level 2 and Level 3 Travel and Tourism took a trip to Heathrow Airport near London.  

The trip went to the British Airways training facility at Heathrow Airport, where cabin crew for British Airways flights all over the world are trained. The learners took part in the Safety Equipment and Procedures training day. Spending a lot of time flying requires a strong focus on safety, making this training an excellent first step to take on the journey to becoming a cabin crew member. 

The day consisted of a range of experiences and training including pilot incapacitation, using a slide raft, a cabin evacuation and debrief. On top of this, learners got to experience using a mock decent slide for an Airbus A320! Students also used fire extinguishers to put out flames in a carefully controlled environment.  

The training was completely interactive, giving learners the chance to get real-world hands-on experience, with highly experienced cabin crew trainers. The day was designed to give an insight into what the full five-week British Airways training programme would include.  

The students were given the chance to ask the instructors any questions that they had to get the best insight they could into future careers within the industry. In addition to the Safety Equipment and Procedures, the instructors also gave learners relevant and up-to-date interview and application tips for the tourism industry.  

This training trip forms part of the Business Careers Excellence Hub. At Weston College our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with the real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job market. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches. 

Travel and Tourism lecturer Hannah Carstensen said “This has proven to be a fundamental experience for the learners who are interested in a career in cabin crew. We are looking forward to running this trip again for our future learners!” 

To find out more about travel and tourism 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.