Last week, Weston College had the privilege of hosting alumni Naomi, the proud owner of the Music and Movement business, Boogie Beat. Naomi paid a visit to Level 2 Early Years learners, and her engaging talk and interactive session was an incredible experience for the class, emphasizing the importance of hard work, determination, and the wide variety of opportunities that follow an Early Years course at college. 

Naomi's journey from a Level 2 Early Years student at Weston College to becoming a successful business owner is nothing short of inspiring. As she addressed the eager learners, she shared her remarkable transformation. Naomi emphasized how her time at Weston College had provided her with the foundational knowledge and skills she needed to embark on her career path. Her experience demonstrated that with determination and dedication, it's possible to turn your college education into a thriving business.

Naomi's talk was not just a nostalgic reflection of her time at Weston College; it was also filled with invaluable insights for the Level 2 Early Years students. She underscored the significance of working hard during their college years, a message that resonated with the young minds eager to set their own path in the field of Early Years education. By sharing her personal journey, Naomi provided students with a tangible example of how a college education can be a stepping stone to entrepreneurial success.

One of the highlights of Naomi's visit was her ability to open students' eyes to the vast array of opportunities available in the Early Years sector. Her success story served as a testament to the versatility of a career in Early Years education. It was a reminder that this field extends far beyond traditional teaching and can be a launchpad for diverse and fulfilling career paths.

The engagement didn't stop at an inspirational talk. Naomi had the students up and active with a lively practical session. Learners had a blast as they participated in singing and dancing, wielding rainbow streamers, and even sharing the floor with Giggles the Boogie Beat Monkey. This hands-on experience not only added an element of fun to the afternoon but also reinforced the idea that learning can be both enjoyable and instructive.

This guest speaker forms part of the Education Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

As the session concluded, the Early Years learners were buzzing with excitement and inspiration. Their feedback echoed the sentiment that the afternoon was not only informative but also incredibly enjoyable. Naomi's visit left an indelible mark on these students, reminding them that with hard work, dedication, and a passion for what they do, they can carve out successful and fulfilling careers in Early Years education.

Find out more about our Early Years & Education courses, here.

Weston College recently received a visit from a very special guest! Leroy Rosenior, former West Ham, Fulham, QPR and Bristol City football player visited our Year 2 Media Production students to assist with their Broadcast Journalism project.

Leroy started out in football at Fulham where he was awarded Player of the Year in 1987. Early in his career, he also played for West Ham, Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic. In 1992 Leroy moved to Bristol City where he played 62 times and scored 15 goals between, including one hat-trick!

After retiring from playing, he moved into football management. Leroy has managed a huge range of clubs including Gloucester, Merthyr Tydfil and Torquay United. Our students asked him about his world record, when he left Torquay United after just 10 minutes in charge; giving him the record for the shortest managerial reign in football's league history!

 

 

 

 

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Away from football, Leroy does incredibly important work as an anti-racism campaigner, educating schools and colleges about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. He is an ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. Leroy’s work to remove discrimination is so strong that it even earned him an MBE in 2019.

Leroy discussed his book ‘It’s Only Banter’ with students. The book covers hard hitting topics such as bullying, homophobia, misogyny as well as racism. Leroy was able to help students understand the detrimental impact that these issues have on society.

This guest speaker forms part of the Creative Arts 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.

The visit had a strong impact on students, who gained a lot from speaking to someone so interesting and knowledgeable.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Leroy for coming in!

Weston College has been shortlisted as a potential national winner for Access to Higher Education Centre of the Year at the AIM Empowering Futures Awards 2023.

The AIM Empowering Futures Awards celebrate the achievements of end-point assessment organisations, AIM-recognised centres and employers in the past year.

These inaugural awards will take place during their Empowering Futures Conference on 9 November at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevern Kerswell, said:

“We’re delighted that for these inaugural awards, we have received so many entries dedicated to celebrating the achievements of AIM’s centres and partners. All the entries are of a really high standard and demonstrate great commitment to supporting and empowering individuals to go on to do amazing things. Congratulations to all finalists. We look forward to celebrating their success as an industry on the 9th of November.”

Weston College’s Access to Higher Education (HE) courses are designed to give learners the skills and qualifications they need to apply for university. It is a well-established, with consistently high pass rates. Programmes start twice a year in September and January and pathways include Animal Science, Business, Criminology, Medical Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery, Social Sciences and Teaching. You can find out about our courses the financial support available, and a video of student experiences on the Access courses here: Access to Higher Education | Weston College.