Weston College is proud to announce that we have a third finalist in the prestigious Bristol Young Heroes Awards 2025, A Level learner Tasneem Mohamed. Alongside Romina, Tasneem has been shortlisted for the Learning Hero Award, recognising her outstanding academic achievement and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. 

Tasneem is a Year 13 A Level student studying Biology, Chemistry and Maths A Levels, having also completed her Maths and English GCSEs alongside her college courses. A former Dentistry student in Sudan, Tasneem was forced to leave her home country due to conflict. Despite the immense challenges she faced, she never lost sight of her goal to become a dentist and has continued to excel academically at Weston College. 

Maria Miles, Head of Sixth Form for Sciences, nominated Tasneem for the award, exclaiming, “Since arriving in the UK, Tasneem has shown extraordinary commitment to her education, studying for GCSEs while completing challenging A Levels. She is actively involved in college life, from taking part in Olympiads, to fundraising during RAG week. Her passion, resilience, and positive attitude are an inspiration to us all.” 

The Learning Hero Award recognises a young person who has exceeded expectations in education, especially through overcoming personal challenges. Tasneem’s journey is a testament to her perseverance and drive. 

Tasneem commented on the nomination, saying, “I felt really proud and more confident. Attending the nominee’s reception with my dad and seeing how proud he was meant a lot to me. I’m also grateful to Maria for always believing in me. I think I was nominated because of my determination and continued academic performance despite everything I’ve been through.” 

Beyond the classroom, Tasneem contributes to the college community as a student representative, volunteering at open evenings to support future students and their families. She plans to take a gap year to earn home student status before applying to dental school, with hopes of studying at the University of Bristol. 

To have three of our learners nominated for such outstanding awards is a true credit to their hard work and commitment. At Weston College, we support students to reach their full potential and make a positive impact both within the college and the wider community. 

The Bristol Young Heroes Awards celebrate young people who have overcome adversity, made a difference to others, or achieved something remarkable. Finalists will attend an awards night to celebrate their achievements on July 4th 2025, giving them the chance to network and connect with employers and peers. 

Click here to read Ellis and Romina’s Bristol Young Heroes Awards Nominations. 

Welcome to the Weston College Careers & Employability Team Monthly Blog!

Throughout June, the team has been supporting learners as they prepare for their next steps. This has included both one-on-one and group sessions designed to build confidence and help learners envision their career paths starting in September. We wish all our learners a wonderful summer break and look forward to welcoming you back in the new academic year!

Looking ahead, we’re preparing for our Sixth Form Progression Week in early July with our A Level learners. They’ll take part in a range of workshops, hear from guest panellists, and begin exploring the many opportunities available to them after completing their courses next year. Our team is available throughout the summer if you have any questions or need support. Please contact us at cet@weston.ac.uk

Celebrating Success! 

We’re proud to celebrate Luke Penberthy from the Careers and Employability team, who was deservedly named Weston College’s Support Worker of the Year! In just a few short years, Luke has made a significant impact, supporting learners across A Levels, Adult Education, Foundation Learning and Apprenticeships in achieving their career goals. Congratulations, Luke – a well-earned recognition!

Apprenticeship Success Story: From Classroom to Career in Dog Grooming

At Weston College, our Animal Management course is more than just classroom learning — it’s a gateway to real-world experience and career discovery. One of the key components of the course is the substantial work experience requirement, designed to help students build employability skills and explore different career paths within the animal care industry. 

For many of our students, one career stands out: Dog Grooming. It’s a growing industry that offers flexibility, creativity, and the chance to work closely with animals — a dream job for many animal lovers. 

A Partnership That Makes a Difference

We’re proud to partner with The Pet Studio, a local dog grooming business run by the talented and passionate Liza Smith. Not only is Liza an experienced groomer, but she’s also an accredited teacher who is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of professionals. 

Through this partnership, our students gain hands-on experience in a real grooming salon. They learn the day-to-day operations of the business, develop practical grooming skills, and get a true sense of what it takes to succeed in the industry. 

From Placement to Apprenticeship

This year, Liza took on two standout students who had completed a year-long work placement with her. Impressed by their dedication, attitude, and growing skillset, she offered them both a place on her Level 2 Dog Grooming Apprenticeship. 

The Apprenticeship, which lasts around 12 months, provides a structured pathway to becoming a fully qualified dog groomer. It combines practical training with theoretical knowledge, ensuring students graduate with the confidence and competence to thrive in the industry. 

A Bright Future Ahead 

These success stories highlight the power of work experience and the importance of strong industry partnerships. At Weston College, we’re committed to helping our students turn their passion into a profession — and thanks to mentors like Liza, they’re doing just that.

Regional T Level Student of the Year – Lloyds Bank 

Congratulations to Callum, one of our talented T Level Digital learners, who has been recognised as the Regional Student of the Year by Lloyds Bank! This well-deserved achievement reflects his outstanding effort and engagement during his industry placement at the Bristol branch. You can read more about his journey here. We wish Callum the very best of luck as he now goes forward as a nominee for the National Student of the Year!

• Sixth Form Progression Week- beginning 30th June 
• UCAS Extra Closes- Thursday 4th July 2025 
• UCAS Clearing Opens- Friday 5th July 2025 
• A Level and T Level Results Day- Thursday 14th August 2025 
• UCAS applications are open and learners can submit- Tuesday 2nd September 2025 (For learners who will be starting University in September 2026)

Get in touch with the Careers and Employability Team, by clicking here. 

The Level 2 Travel and Tourism students recently took an informative day trip to Bristol Airport, gaining valuable first-hand insight into the inner workings of a major UK airport.  

The group travelled from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Airport via the Airport Flyer, an experience designed to give them a full understanding of the passenger journey from start to finish. Upon arrival, the students began their visit with a comprehensive tour of the airport’s main terminal, including an overview of the four main airlines operating out of Bristol: Jet2, TUI, EasyJet, and Ryanair. 

One of the Bristol Airport team, Harry Ellis, led the tour and provided a detailed discussion around the check-in process, the customer journey, and the importance of special assistance services. The group then explored the security area, where they learned about the new C4 scanners and the airport’s collaboration with a wide range of business partners.

The visit continued behind the scenes at the exclusive staff-only areas of Aviation House and Lulsgate House. Harry delivered an engaging presentation covering the airport’s expansion plans, marketing strategies, and his own career progression, from valet parking to his current role as Corporate Affairs & Community Engagement Officer. Georgia from the HR team also spoke to the learners about career opportunities, apprenticeships, and routes into the aviation and travel industry.  

Students were also treated to a rare visit to the airport’s roof deck, where they watched various aircrafts take off and land. The experience was finished off with a close-up look at the airport’s fire station, hangars, helicopter unit, and private planes.

This unique experience gave learners a better understanding of the diverse roles and operations within a busy airport environment and the possible career paths available to them after their course.  

A huge thank you to the Bristol Airport team for their time, hospitality, and for inspiring our future Travel and Tourism professionals.  

If you are interested in applying to one of our Travel & Tourism courses, click here.  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Travel & 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.