Earlier this month, our Performing Arts students took part in a workshop with professional dance company, Ekleido. This was a great opportunity for our students to develop their skills and learn from professionals with their guidance and expertise.  

Ekleido is a choreographic duo formed by Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser. Both have an extensive professional background in contemporary dance, street dance, and the commercial industry. Not only do they host workshops for aspiring dancers, but they largely choreograph for live performances and film. The dances they create are meaningful collaborations that are both innovative and modern, focusing on the music and meaning behind each move. 

Our Performing Arts course gives students a broad overview of the key components of performing, such as singing, dancing, musical theatre, and acting, providing them with a wide range of skills and knowledge to thrive in such a competitive industry. It is also important to learn from a range of industry professionals to broaden their creative identity and learn alongside contemporary performers. 

Hannah and Faye worked hard with our students across two-days, choreographing a dance for them to perform at the Super Culture show on February 19th at the Electric Banana, Weston-super-Mare. In order to maintain the choreography until the performance, two of our Year 2 students, Abi and Emma, have been given leadership roles as Company Manager and Dance Captain to run rehearsals, clean the dance routines and build their skills in these important areas to further prepare them for industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build their confidence, adaptability, and communication skills, ensuring they are equipped with as many skills and opportunities as possible. 

Working with external organisations like this gives our students an excellent opportunity to not only learn alongside them, but also receive invaluable feedback, network with professionals, and gain a fresh perspective of new techniques that they may not have been previously exposed to. This broadens students career pathways and gives them a better sense of the careers available to them. It also provides students with exciting collaboration and enrichment opportunities that they can add to their portfolio to reflect the broad experiences they received throughout their course. 

Joe Miller, Lecturer in Performing Arts, said: “We’re so grateful to Hannah and Faye for delivering such a well-choreographed and hands-on session, sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise and giving all students the fantastic opportunity to perform for a new audience. It is invaluable sessions like this that give our students first-hand exposure to industry-level techniques, creative processes, and professional expectations, allowing them to push themselves beyond the classroom and achieve an even higher technical standard.” 

Thank you to Hannah and Faye for taking the time to engage with our students and share their invaluable insight! 

Book your tickets to see our Performing Arts students and Hannah and Faye at the Super Culture production on February 19th here.

This workshop forms part of the Performing 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.  

Progress to the next level in Performance and Production Arts and Music! 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.

Last week, our Travel and Tourism students welcomed global aviation services provider, Swissport, for an engaging and informative session which explored career pathways within the aviation industry. 

The visit gave students valuable insight into the wide range of responsibilities involved in airport operations and highlighted the many career opportunities available within aviation following their course. Swissport representative, Joe Watkins, shared his own career journey, offering students a realistic and inspiring perspective on professional development within the sector. 

Swissport provides essential ground handling and airport services for airlines worldwide, managing everything from passenger check-in, gate support and baggage handling to aircraft ramp services, fuelling, cabin cleaning, de-icing and cargo warehouse operations. They play a crucial role in supporting efficient airline operations and delivering a high-quality passenger experience from landing to take-off. 

With many of our students considering Bristol Airport as a future place of work, Swissport presented itself as an excellent route into aviation. With a strong presence at Bristol Airport and operations across major airports around the world, Swissport offers both local and global career opportunities. 

During the session, Swissport covered a wide range of topics, including pathways into aviation, introductions to their teams and services, and the variety of roles available at Bristol Airport. Joe also outlined the application process and shared real-life success stories from within the company. 

For students interested in progressing within their role, Joe outlined the learning and development opportunities, clear progression routes and long-term career growth. Students were shown how employees can progress from entry-level roles through to professional positions, supervision and management. 

The session concluded with an overview of what Swissport looks for in candidates, highlighting the importance of both personal qualities and professional skills. This was a great opportunity for students to understand the desired attributes that companies look for during an application process, giving them insight of what to expect and how to best approach an interview. 

This visit provided an excellent opportunity for students to gain first-hand insight into the aviation industry, broaden their career horizons and better understand the pathways available to them within a global organisation such as Swissport. 

Thank you to Joe and the team at Swissport for sharing their invaluable insight and experiences with our students. 

This guest lecture forms part of the Travel and Tourism 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.  

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. 

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives? The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is a Level 3 course that gives you the perfect opportunity to build a meaningful and rewarding future.

Whether you dream of supporting individuals in your community or working on the frontline of healthcare, this dynamic course blends hands-on experience with essential theory to help you take your first steps into an exciting and fast-growing sector.

Ready to apply? - Click here to register your interest and we will get in touch as soon as the course is vailable online!

This two-year diploma provides a comprehensive introduction to the health and social care industry, combining classroom learning with practical work placement to ensure you develop the confidence and capability needed for professional practice. From the foundations of safeguarding and communication to understanding health, wellbeing and care legislation, you’ll explore the core principles that shape high-quality person-centred care.

You will complete an industry placement, giving you the opportunity to work directly with individuals in real care environments such as residential homes, outreach services, and healthcare settings. These experiences help you build essential employability skills, apply your learning in a meaningful way, and gain a clear sense of your future direction.

In the first year, you’ll study a range of theoretical and practical units that prepare you for your chosen specialist pathway in year two. The diploma offers two progression routes: the Health Care pathway, aimed at learners aspiring to roles such as nurse, paramedic, nursing assistant or medical practitioner; and the Social Care pathway, which supports those interested in careers such as social worker, care worker, community support worker or residential warden. Optional units, masterclasses, and real-world projects allow you to tailor your experience to your career ambitions.

With state-of-the-art facilities at Knightstone Campus, strong connections to employers, guest speakers, educational trips and lecturers with extensive industry experience, you’ll benefit from a learning environment designed to help you succeed. As a Microsoft Showcase College, you will also develop digital confidence using modern tools and technologies that enhance your studies and prepare you for the future of the sector.

What will I study? 

- Core principles of health and social care, including safeguarding, duty of care and responding to abuse 
- Health, safety and infection prevention, with a focus on maintaining safe care environments 
- Effective communication and person-centred approaches when supporting individuals 
- Understanding and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across care settings 
- Supporting individuals with a range of physical, emotional and mental health needs 
- Key legislation, ethics and professional frameworks underpinning safe practice 
- Practical experience through approximately placements in real care settings

Specialist content linked to your chosen pathway in Year 2:

- Health Care Pathway: preparation for roles such as nurse, paramedic or nursing assistant 
- Social Care Pathway: preparation for roles such as social worker, care worker or residential warden

How will I be assessed? 

- Coursework and practical assignments 
- Observations during work placements 
- Case studies and reflective journals 
- Examinations

Additional Information

Throughout your course, you will benefit from:

- Work placements in local care settings 
- Visits to hospitals, care homes, and community health centres 
- Guest talks from healthcare professionals 
- Career guidance and support from the Career Excellence Hub

Entry Requirements

- Minimum of five GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English,  maths and science 
- Interest in health, wellbeing, and caring for others 
- DBS check

What can I do after this course?

 
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be well-prepared to progress into a range of job roles in the health and social care sector or continue their education at a higher level.  

- Health Care pathway - nurse, paramedic, nursing assistant, medical practitioner 
- Social Care Pathway - social worker, care worker, residential warden

What do I do now? 

Ready to apply? - Click here to register your interest and we will get in touch as soon as the course is vailable online!