The chance to be part of a Taster Day celebrating all things Higher Education is being offered next month (October) at Weston College.

The College’s University Centre and Loxton Campus will open their doors on October 27 to anyone interested in studying for a Degree and looking to start in Autumn 2015.

As well as receiving all the information needed to consider an application, prospective students will be able to take part in a series of ‘hands-on’ workshops in a variety of subject fields, giving them a vital taste of Degree level study.

On offer are workshops in Musical Theatre, Sports Studies, Performing Arts, Computing and Photography, among many other subjects. Those taking part will also be treated to lunch, and can attend a number of information sessions about applying via UCAS, managing finances and accommodation, and what to expect in the first few weeks.

Anthony Murray, Weston College’s Director of Higher Education, said: “We are very pleased to be offering this Higher Education Taster Day, which is aimed at giving aspiring students a clearer understanding of the step-up from Level 3 to University-level study in a wide variety of subject areas. Taking part in this kind of preparatory activity will give students an advantage throughout the university application process and once they start their degrees, wherever they choose to study.

“Weston College offers degree-level study in partnership with Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England, and our range of courses is expanding every year. As a recently designated College of Further and Higher Education, we are committed to providing effective information, advice and guidance to boost the aspirations and prospects of young people thinking about progressing to Higher Education. We look forward to welcoming students from near and far to this exciting day.”

Parents of prospective students are welcome to attend the Taster Day, as are adults returning to HE, or entering it for the first time.

Demonstrating experience of HE through taster sessions and other events is very useful when applying to UCAS, and all visitors to the College’s Taster Day will come away with something tangible to use in their portfolio.

Weston College is one of the top performing Colleges in the South West and is now officially a College of Further and Higher Education. Almost 100 per cent of graduates to on to employment within six months of graduating, and of those graduating in 2014, more than 20 per cent came away with First Class Honours degrees, compared with a national average of 16 per cent.

Anyone interested in coming to the HE Taster Day needs to book before Friday October 3. For more details please contact Weston College’s Higher Education Team on 01934 411 409 or by emailing  he.unit@weston.ac.uk

TWO performing arts students from Weston College have been commissioned by a theatre in Taunton to perform their solo shows.

Charlie French and Katrina Titcombe, who are both on the College’s BA (Hons) Performing Arts course, will be performing at The Brewhouse, in Coal Orchard, on Saturday 4th June.

Charlie’s show, Scratch, is a piece exploring who we really are through the words of others. It asks whether words convey identity or just paraphrase the thoughts people hear from those around them.

He said: “'I'm thrilled to have my work commissioned by the Brewhouse Theatre.

“Not only is it fantastic experience for an aspiring actor to see what it's really like to work within the industry, it is also a great encouragement.

“It is because of my training at the Wessex Academy of Performing Arts that I feel I have grown in overall confidence since starting the course and have ultimately matured as a performer, both in terms of my knowledge of performance and the skills that I have learned.”

Katrina’s show, You Are Invited, revolves around a few items of clothing which combine to perform a wedding in 40 minutes.

She said: “I am really excited for my first commissioned show. I think it will be a really good experience and a start to the outside world of performing.

“I think it will be a really good experience and a start to the outside world of performing!

The course has helped me develop my confidence within performing. It's made me explore more of what theatre really is and different ways it can be explored.”

The College’s Higher Education Section Leader in Performing Arts, Ged Stephenson, said: “Performing arts students held a festival of contemporary performance in which each student performed their own 40-minute solo piece.

“The Brewhouse was impressed with the festival and chose two of the performances to be put on at their venue as a double-header.”

The performance will begin at 7.30pm and tickets, priced £5, are available via www.thebrewhouse.net or 01823 283 244.

At Weston College we get a lot of questions from members of the public who want to improve their hair and beauty knowledge. In the first of a two-part hair and beauty advice special we ask Jessica Stagg, former Weston College student and owner of Essential Beauty and Aesthetics, for answers to some of the most frequently beauty questions…

Click here for part two!

How can I tell when makeup expires?

Many people don’t know this essential beauty tip, and the answer is more simple than a lot of people think!

Almost every product you use has an expiry date, and using the product when it has gone off can damage your skin or affect results. Look for a symbol on the back of the makeup which looks like an open jar. In it, there should be a number which indicates how long the product will last after it has been opened.

How do I remove gel nail polish?

Removing gel nails is easy, all you need is acetone, cotton balls, a high-grit buffer, a nail file, and aluminium foil cut into squares big enough to wrap around your fingertips.

First, use the file to break the seal of the gel polish, making sure that you don’t file too deep as this could damage your nail. Cut the foil into 10 three-centimetre wide squares.

Next, soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it on your fingernail and wrap the foil around your fingertip to hold the cotton ball in place. Wait 15 minutes and the gel nail should flake off easily. Use a buffer on your nails to remove any residue.

You could become an expert in gel nails as little as three months with one of Weston College's nail technology part-time courses. Click here to find out more!

How should I clean makeup brushes?

To properly clean your makeup brushes you’ll need a shallow bowl, gentle shampoo, a sink and a lint-free cloth. Begin by running your brushes under lukewarm tap water to remove any remaining makeup. Focus on cleansing the bristles but try to avoid the handle as the heat of the water may loosen the glue over time.

Fill the bowl with lukewarm water and put a small amount of shampoo in it. Swirl the tip of your brush in the water and then swirl the brush in the palm of your hand to work up a lather. Rinse the brush under running water when you’re satisfied that the brush is clean, and then leave to dry!

How can I earn money with my beauty skills?

If you’re talented in makeup, nail art or massage you could earn money in the beauty industry as a beauty technician. Getting qualified and learning new skills is important, and I started my career by taking a beauty therapy qualification at Weston College. I then worked in salons for five years, and opened my first salon Essential Beauty and Aesthetics in Weston-super-Mare in 2016.

Weston College has courses for all ages and abilities, including part-time courses designed to fit around your schedule.

There are nearly 20,000 people employed in the beauty industry in the Bristol and Somerset area. The average starting salary in this sector is £15,000, however more qualified and specialist beauty therapists can earn over £20,000 per year.

Find out what courses we have on offer by clicking here!