Last month, our Hair, Beauty, and Media Makeup students hosted a successful pamper night for members of the public, inviting guests to enjoy an evening of relaxation, treatments, and dining.

Attendees were able to choose from a range of treatments delivered by our talented students, including wash, blow dry and style appointments, manicures, massages, and makeovers. The event created a welcoming and sociable atmosphere where guests could unwind, chat with students, and enjoy professional treatments at an affordable price.

Following their pamper sessions, guests moved to the Grove Kitchen and Restaurant, where our Hospitality and Catering students prepared and served a delicious two-course meal consisting of hunter’s chicken followed by homemade trifle. This provided an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their culinary and presentation skills, transforming a simple traditional meal into a professionally prepared and presented dining experience made entirely from scratch.

The evening was highly beneficial for our students across all curriculum areas involved, offering valuable experience interacting with members of the public and working with real-world clients in a professional environment. Students developed their communication and customer service skills by learning how to respond to different personalities, preferences, and client needs, while also gaining experience working under pressure within a time-sensitive but fully supported setting. The event also helped students build confidence, professionalism, and practical experience, while giving them opportunities to receive feedback on their work and add to their professional portfolios.

The pamper night also benefited members of the public by providing affordable treatments and an enjoyable social experience, while allowing the local community to directly support student learning and the development of industry skills. Events such as this play an important role in helping students prepare for future employment while giving guests the opportunity to experience the high standards and talents of our learners.

A big thank you to everyone in attendance for making events like this possible and nurturing the professional development of our students.

This event forms part of the Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy 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. 

Progress to the next level in Hair and Media Makeup! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. 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.

Restoration work has now begun on the College’s historic Conference Centre as part of a major project to preserve one of the campus’s most distinctive buildings for future generations. 

Specialist stonemasons have been appointed to carefully restore the building’s external stonework using traditional methods appropriate for a Grade II listed property. The work will help protect the structure, improve its appearance and ensure the long-term preservation of an important part of the College’s and town’s heritage. 

Over time, areas of the stonework have been affected by weathering, discolouration and earlier repairs that are no longer in keeping with the original design. The restoration programme will clean the stonework, repair damaged sections and, where necessary, replace individual stones with carefully matched materials to maintain the building’s historic character. 

The project will also address areas where ageing metal fixings and water ingress have caused damage, helping to prevent further deterioration. Roofing repairs and protective measures will be completed alongside the stonework to ensure the building remains resilient in the years ahead. 

The Conference Centre is one of the College’s most recognisable buildings and reflects the architectural vision of Hans Fowler Price. The restoration works will not only safeguard the building but also celebrate its historic design and its continued place at the heart of the campus. 

The work is expected to continue over the coming weeks and has been carefully planned to ensure there is no disruption to day-to-day College activity.

This week, Great Western Railway delivered an engaging guest lecture for our Travel and Tourism learners, offering valuable insight into the wide range of career opportunities available within their organisation and how students can begin their journey into the industry.

The session was designed to give learners a well-rounded understanding of GWR as both a transport provider and an employer. GWR employees spoke in depth about their apprenticeship programmes, with particular focus on customer service and engineering pathways. They outlined what each scheme involves, the skills and qualities they look for in applicants, and how these programmes support long-term career development. Students also gained practical advice on navigating the application process, including tips on standing out as a candidate, followed by an interactive Q&A session that allowed them to ask questions and explore their interests further.

In addition to entry routes, GWR highlighted the strong potential for career progression within the company, emphasising that apprenticeships can lead to long-term, rewarding careers. They also shared some of the benefits available to employees, such as free or discounted rail travel and access to gym memberships, helping students understand the wider advantages of working in the industry.

To provide further context, the speakers introduced the scale and impact of GWR’s operations. Learners were interested to hear that the company serves over 80 million passengers each year and operates across approximately 1,360 miles of track, connecting communities and supporting regional economies. They also explored the extensive network of routes covered by GWR, reinforcing the organisation’s importance within the UK’s transport infrastructure.

While many roles are associated with trains and stations, GWR demonstrated the breadth of opportunities available behind the scenes. These include roles in finance, sales and marketing, performance analysis, property services, and business assurance - highlighting that there are career paths to suit a wide range of skills and interests.

Overall, the lecture provided a valuable opportunity for our learners to gain first-hand insight into the travel and tourism industry, helping them to better understand their options and feel more confident about their future career choices. 

Thank you to Great Western Railway for delivering such an insightful and inspiring session, and for supporting our students as they explore their next steps.