Beauty Therapy student, Maddie, proudly secured a bronze medal at this year’s WorldSkills UK national finals.

Competing against over 400 entrants from across the country, Maddie impressed judges with her professionalism, technical skill and ability to perform under pressure - ultimately earning a remarkable third-place finish.

Maddie currently works at Cadbury House Spa, one of Weston College’s valued Career Excellence Hub employers, where she continues to develop her industry experience alongside her studies.

This year, WorldSkills UK raised the bar by keeping competitors on their toes. Participants were given no prior knowledge of the tasks they would be assessed on, and even found that their models were changed on the day. 

The aim was to test higher-order professional competencies such as resilience, adaptability and confidence when handling the unexpected - qualities essential within the industry. Despite these challenges, Maddie excelled across all three mystery tasks.

Head of Service Sectors, Jenna Ratcliffe, said: “We are so proud of Maddie. Her calm approach and impressive technical ability shone through each challenge, earning her a place on the national podium and highlighting the high standards of training delivered at Weston College. Maddie has been a pleasure to train, and her commitment, professionalism and determination have been evident throughout her journey.

“As we look ahead to the next competition cycle, we are now beginning to form our new competition squad. Any learners who are interested in getting involved should speak to their tutors about taking part.”

Find out more about our Beauty Therapy courses, here.

Earlier this month, Weston College’s Year 2 Travel and Tourism students visited Mendip Activity Centre to gain valuable insight into the local tourism industry and the operations behind a successful business.  

Mendip Activity Centre is a tourist destination near Weston-super-Mare, known for its wide range of outdoor activities and for being a popular school residential location.   

The trip linked directly to multiple course units for the students, including Managing Accommodation, as well as topics in Business, Marketing, and Operations.

Students began the day with an informative session on the centre’s business model, marketing strategies, and operational processes which provided invaluable insight into how independent businesses manage resources, adapt to market trends, and deliver high-quality customer experiences. Students can then apply these skills directly to their future careers in the travel and tourism industry. This was followed by a guided tour of the site, including its campsite facilities, offering a real-world example of accommodation management in action.  

To round off the visit, learners enjoyed a game of frisbee golf which perfectly timed to coincide with Wellbeing Week at the college, combining practical learning with outdoor wellbeing activities. 

Experiences like this play a crucial role in both the personal and professional development of our learners. By engaging directly with industry professionals and observing real-world operations, students build confidence, strengthen their communication skills, and gain practical knowledge that goes beyond the classroom. These opportunities not only enhance their understanding of the tourism sector but also prepare them for future employment by demonstrating the standards and expectations of the industry.  

Hannah Forrest, Travel and Tourism lecturer at Weston College, said, “Curriculum trips like these are great for students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world operations, teaching them the importance of the tourism industry on local businesses. Being exposed to the workings of a popular tourist destination like this gives them the confidence and insight required to succeed within their future careers.”  

A big thank you to George Coombe and the team at Mendip Activity Centre for taking the time to engage with our students and share their valuable insight into the industry.  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Travel & Tourism and Business 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 Business! 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. 

Millie studies on the Pathways to Adulthood course at the College. As part of our celebration of Supporting the Power of Specialist Further Education (1st–5th December), we asked Millie and her Dad, to reflect on their time at college so far.

Millie has made continual steps towards achieving her aspirations and Education, Health and Care Plan outcomes. Millie benefited from joining the Weston College transition link programme, attending one day a week, two years before enrolling on her course. This gave Weston College staff the opportunity to work closely with Millie and her familiar team from Baytree School. Through this link programme, Millie was able to explore and familiarise herself with the Weston team, new peers, specialist areas of the college, including the sensory learning base, and access other learner spaces.

Millie’s dad explained that, at first, they had never really considered further education for Millie, particularly not locally, as they were unsure it would be accessible for her. However, when Millie started attending the college link programme with her school, she really enjoyed it and felt confident this was the right step for their daughter.

Millie joined Weston College in 2023, starting the Pathways to Supported Adulthood course. She has made progress in all areas of her life, most notably in her engagement, anticipation, and interactions. Millie loves using assistive technology in a variety of ways, particularly to manipulate sensory-enriching resources. Through her communication achievements, she has been able to advocate her preferences by exploring a range of activities. Millie loves being out and about, busy places, music, sensory exploration, and particularly enjoyed the Preparation for Life student show.

Millie has gained confidence and resilience, ready to start her move to adulthood and life after college. She and her family have started exploring her next steps with the ongoing encouragement of the team, and the College will continue to support her through this next transition.

Congratulations to Millie - her journey so far reflects the confidence she has built and the progress she has made across every aspect of her life, and the positive impact of specialist further education.