Meet Ryan, a young and ambitious footballer who’s already making waves.

At just 16, he scored his first goal for Weston-super-Mare AFC, in their recent pre-season friendly against Tiverton Town.

Ryan's journey is a testament to his passion for football and his commitment to growing as both an athlete and a student.

Ryan’s Football Journey

Ryan's love for football started early—he's been playing "since I could walk," he says. His talent and drive saw him train twice a week and play up to two matches regularly. Before joining the Seagulls, Ryan played for the Bristol Rovers Academy, where he was offered an early scholarship. However, he made a bold decision to turn it down and join us at Weston College, saying, "I had a lot of Premier League interest but I left to develop in a men’s environment and study sports coaching."

Making His Mark

Ryan’s first goal in pre-season for the Seagulls was a moment of pride: "It felt really good to get off the mark for Weston." His early success is just a glimpse of what’s to come as he continues to develop his skills with the team.

Balancing Football and Education

While pursuing his football career, Ryan is also preparing for his future off the field. He's enrolled in a Sports Coaching course, which perfectly complements his athletic ambitions. "Studying sports coaching will keep me around football and within the sport," he says.

World-Class Sports Facilities at Weston College

Weston College offers exceptional sports facilities, giving students like Ryan the resources they need to excel in their studies and training. Ryan speaks highly of the facilities: "The facilities are good at the college and give loads of options for when to use them."

Ryan’s story is an inspiration for young athletes looking to take their skills to the next level while maintaining a strong academic foundation. Weston College provides the perfect environment for balancing education with sporting aspirations, offering a range of courses, support, and top-notch facilities for students keen on a career in sports.

If you're passionate about sport and want to take your game to the next level, you can study one of our sport courses. Click here to find out more. 

Our Sport courses are part of the Sports Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands.

Photo credit Mark Stainer/WsMAFC 

We recently caught up with Ashana, who passed her English GCSE after moving to the UK from Guyana in 2022 at just 18 years old.  

Ashana put in a lot of effort to complete her English GCSE at Weston College. While she’s always been good at English, she mentioned that learning it in the UK was ‘different’ from what she was used to, as the teaching style in Guyana wasn’t the same. Despite these differences, she was able to adapt and learn the new methods and overcome any discrepancies. 

At Weston College, she found that English was easier to grasp because the lessons weren’t rushed or crammed, allowing her to break things down and understand the material more easily. 

Ashana’s English lecturer, Tania, found that she was ‘motivated’ and ‘keen to try her best’ throughout her studies, even though she missed her family and Guyana terribly since moving. However, Ashana had a ‘talented way with words’ and infused her creative writing with her rich cultural background which was reflected in her work from the beginning. 

Ashana was given written and verbal feedback from her lecturers to support her and develop her confidence but also help her feel connected and not alone at Weston College.  

It was also appreciated by Ashana how ‘supportive’ and ‘friendly’ the staff were as they were always ready to help with any questions she had. Not only did she value the Weston College team, but she also found her favourite facility on Knightstone campus to be the library, thanks to its many resources and study spaces.  

As a department, Tania and her colleagues were ‘proud of her achievement in English’.  

Now, Ashana plans to stay at Weston College to complete an Early Years course, with hopes of becoming a teacher in the future. She wants to make learning ‘fun for children’ and inspire them to enjoy school. 

We wish you all the best, Ashana, and can’t wait to see you back in September! 

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.  

Weston College welcomed learners from across all Career Excellence Hubs today, for Welcome Fest.  

Learners and staff gathered to get to know each other before the hard work officially begins next week.  

Throughout the day, many exciting activities took place across college, to break the ice amongst pupils and allow them to form friendships and bonds. 

In most areas, the day started with an induction talk to welcome back students to the college and discuss expectations and important information. This prepared the learners by providing them with all the information they need to proceed with their studies at Weston College. 

Following on from this, there were many exciting activities held at South West Skills and Loxton campus, ranging from scavenger hunts, to building dens and dropping eggs. While at Knightstone, specific departments did different activities such as Protective Services bleep tests, and Early Years also completing an egg drop test. 

The Health and Active Living Skills Centre at Loxton campus hosted the scavenger hunt for their learners by dotting QR codes all over campus. This was a fun and interactive way for new students to familiarise themselves with the different buildings and departments. 

The Art department at Loxton campus also took the festivities to a new level by allowing students to express their creativity with different projects, such as artwork, collages, and collaborative projects created over 2 days in a variety of styles and medium. 

But the fun didn’t stop there! Learners in the Art department also worked in groups to build a den with different media and resources, using their initiative and thinking creatively to produce unique structures for their dens. They then created paper planes which they threw at targets with a token reward system to use for upcoming projects, creating a very exciting day for the Art students at Loxton. 

Another activity that was popular among departments was the ‘egg drop’. This egg-citing task allowed students to work together and create the most effective method to keep their eggs safe in both Art and Early Years.  

The Welcome Fest also allowed people to put their subjects into practice in certain areas so they got a taste of what they would be working on throughout their course at Weston College.  

The Media department took this idea in stride by allowing their students to complete a camera interview workshop where they all took turns filming, interviewing, and using the mic. 

Overall, Welcome Fest turned out to be a huge success amongst the students and staff, with one learner saying, “today has been really fun and everyone has been so welcoming”. It allowed many students to not only flex their skills and experience their subject on a practical level, but it also gave them a chance to bond with others and build new friendships with their peers. 

Good luck to all learners starting with us in the next couple of weeks.  

If you would like to join us, it isn’t too late to apply. You can find our courses, by clicking here.  

At this year’s Creative Arts Summer Show, we saw impressive work from our students! Our learners on the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Pre-Degree showed strong talent!  

We’re putting a spotlight on some of the work produced and taking you behind the scenes into the inspiration behind the pieces.  

Jack: 

Jack’s work revolves around the idea of perfection and imperfection. He achieved this by having one side of his piece being ‘perfect and clean’ and the other being more chaotic. As Jack eventually aims to be an illustrator, he chose a geometric layout. The linework in the chaotic side of the piece corresponds to letters in a paragraph based on the word perfection, showing an impressive blending of ideas.  

Izzy: 

Izzy’s work is about her connection with her coastline. Living in a coastal area, she has a strong focus on the impact that climate change is having on these areas. A key inspiration behind this theme was finding out that a walking route that Izzy regularly takes with her dog would be underwater by 2050 due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. To achieve this, her work has the colours of nature, using flowers and florals from this coastline.  

Edith: 

Edith’s work centres on the theme of identity, especially regarding being a twin. The work was inspired by her journey to be independent and discovering her own personality. The course has helped Edith to discover new working processes and has prepared her for university, which she will be going to after a gap year.  

Mercedesz: 

Mercedesz’ work has many elements including a section inspired by a spider's web. This represents an area where a spider can hunt but is also the home for the spider. The work focuses on a theme of home, which can be lost but also found. The focus point of the piece represents a starting point for Mercedesz to create her new home from, with many elements branching off. 

Sydney: 

Sydney’s work was about rebirth and the healing process from a traumatic event. She was inspired by self-grief, creating work based on looking after yourself and healing independently. Sydney used crochet to achieve this effect. She describes the course as a completely different experience to A Levels and secondary school. Her words to anyone thinking about the Foundation Arts course are clear: “It's the best thing ever! Just do it!”.  

Feeling inspired? Find out more about the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Pre-Degree by clicking here! 

As results day approaches, the mix of excitement and anxiety can be overwhelming. Whether you’re awaiting results for A Levels, T Levels, GCSE’s or vocational courses, it is crucial to approach the day with a calm and open mindset. Here are some valuable tips to help you manage stress, stay positive, and plan your next steps effectively.

Reducing Stress Before Results Day

• Talk About Your Feelings - Share your thoughts and worries with friends, family, or a mentor. Talking about your feelings can alleviate stress and provide emotional support.
• Stay Active - Engage in regular physical activities such as walking, running, or yoga. Exercise releases endorphins, which help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
• Eat Well - Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary snacks, which can increase anxiety.
• Get Enough Sleep - Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Adequate rest is essential for maintaining a positive outlook and managing stress.

Keeping an Open Mind on Results Day

• Prepare for All Outcomes - Consider different scenarios and have a plan for each. This proactive approach can help you feel more in control and less anxious about the unknown.
• Stay Positive - Focus on your achievements and the effort you’ve put in, regardless of the results. Remember, one set of results does not define your entire future.
• Breathe and Stay Present - Practice deep breathing or mindfulness techniques to stay calm. If you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to step outside and reset.

Next Steps After Receiving Your Results

• Applying to University - If your results meet expectations, start researching universities and courses. Look into application deadlines and entry requirements. If your results are lower than expected, explore alternative routes such as foundation courses or universities with different entry criteria. University Centre Weston (UCW) offer over 45 courses with small class sizes for increased attention and interaction!
• Exploring Employment Options - Update your CV and start looking for job opportunities that match your skills and interests. Websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are great starting points. Consider internships, apprenticeships, or volunteer work to gain experience and build your professional network – Weston College offer a range of apprenticeships and work opportunities.
• Considering a Gap Year - A gap year can offer opportunities to travel, learn new skills, or gain work experience. Research gap year programs and plan activities that will enrich your personal and professional growth. Volunteering or part-time work during a gap year can also help you save money and gain valuable experiences.

Final Thoughts... Results day is just one step in your journey. Whatever the outcome, there are numerous paths to achieving your goals. Stay positive, seek support, and keep an open mind. Your future is full of possibilities, and this is just the beginning. Good luck!

If you would like any support from the team at Weston College, or UCW, please contact us on 01934 411 411.

Hi, my name is Kitty and I have recently completed the Level 3 Fashion, Business & Retail UAL Extended Diploma! 

Throughout my childhood I was always interested in fashion design and loved dressing up. My mum taught me how to sew at a young age which sparked my interest as I loved to create new and unique things that I could show my family. I then discovered the fashion course at Weston College online and was excited to be able to pursue a course which I had genuine interest in!

The best part of this course is the support I have had from my teachers as well as the huge array of facilities. Anything that I have wanted to experiment with, whether that is fashion based or pottery/print etc, there is always a helpful tutor ready to support me.

Learning how to make my own patterns has been fascinating, it has taken a lot of resilience but when you get the pattern right the feeling of accomplishment is amazing.

The facilities are incredible, we have access to so many amazing tools that we are free to use from industrial sewing machines to an incredible print room. These facilities really helped me to boost my work and create interesting outcomes.

The amount of support we have at the college is fantastic and is something which took me by surprise! The summer show at the end of each year is an incredible way to showcase what we have created. It’s really lovely to be able to show your friends and family what you have been working on throughout the year.

I would highly recommend the fashion course! A lot of hard work and dedication needs to go into your work to get good results, however it is all worth it in the end.

Below is some of the work I created during my time on the course. Thank you for reading!

My name is Richard Perks, and I am a professional chef living in Canada with my family!

I started my career at Weston College, completing the NVQ1-2 Professional Catering course from 2001-2003, which helped me lay the foundation of cooking basics. I had an interest in catering from a young age as my father and grandmother are both very good cooks, and I enjoyed cooking with them as a child. I made the decision to study at Weston College as I wanted to develop this passion into a career, and I knew Weston would give me the best opportunity to turn my dream into a reality. Furthermore, I knew Weston would have the best catering department in the local area, including top-of-the-range facilities and incredible teachers.

Through the course at Weston College, I was lucky enough to travel to Italy for work experience. My time in Italy went so well that I was asked to stay and continue the work I was doing for Massimo Spigaroli, who was known as the ‘Italian Salami King’. Through my work for Massimo, I attended an Italian university and studied traditional Italian cuisine. Just before graduating from this university, I was sent to a Michelin starred restaurant for work experience. After graduation I went on to work for Corrado Azensa (the pastry chef featured in season 4, episode 2 of ‘Chef’s Table Pastry’ on Netflix).

After living in Sicily and working for Corrado for a year and a half, I moved to Hong Kong for 6 months to work at an Italian restaurant. I enjoyed Hong Kong; it was certainly different than living in Sicily. After a short stint in Hong Kong, I moved back to Italy for a few more years under Massimo in Parma.

I then returned to the UK and lived and worked in London for a Michelin restaurant as well as working under Head Chef Malcolm Campbell for a short period. Malcolm Campbell is now a top chef in Canada and a good family friend of ours.

I then moved to Australia, and I was Senior Sous Chef in one of a top 10 restaurant in Western Australia. I then met my wife and moved to Canada after 7 years in Perth. Since I've been in Canada, I have worked at Pinestone Golf Club as a job during the pandemic. From there I moved out to Nova Scotia to work at Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, which are both in the top 10 public golf courses in the whole of North America.

From there, I have taken an Executive Chef role in a very good private school, just outside of Toronto. We serve a Marche-Style service to 1000 people a day. From homemade lasagne and pizza all the way to sushi bars. The change of pace is due to being a father to two very young children and looking for the right work-life balance. Since being at the school I have reached the Canadian Chefs Cup final two years running; I came 5th in my first year and last year I placed 3rd. I will be running again this year, hoping to place 1st.

My favourite part of working as a chef is the opportunity it provides to travel the world and experience so many different cultures and foods. If I had decided to enter into a different industry, I would not have had the incredible experiences I’ve had!

I have had so many highlights in my career and I could never pick just one, but a favourite from recent years has been competing in the Canada Chefs Cup. In my personal life though, raising my two children and being the best father I can be, is the most important part.

In recent times, a memorable success has been winning the International World Catering Championships, where I won Gold for Canada.

I originally came third in the Aramark's Canadian Chef's cup in April 2023, which I was very pleased with. Later in the year Adrian Salalac (the winner) contacted me to be his sous chef for team Canada. I was honoured to and we spent the last 4/5 months practicing and preparing for the finals.

We were up against 9 other teams, the champs of South America, Chile, UK, Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Germany, Belgium and Spain.

The final went over 2 days. The first day you had to prepare your written menu and collect all your ingredients you would need from the mystery store and common pantry. Then cold prep your menu within 2 hours. The following day we had 3 hours to prepare 3 courses for 4 people, the starter had to be vegan. <>The mystery store had local proteins and produce from Canada. Things like elk shoulder, whole duck, whole pickerel (a fish), scallops, cod, wild boar belly, honeycomb, rhubarb, birch syrup, local mushrooms, lentils and local pulses.

The teams were all very strong and approached the challenge differently. It was so much fun networking with chefs from around the world.

Here is a recap video of the final!

My start at Weston College really set the precedent for the rest of my career; being able to travel abroad for work experience in my first two years of studying inspired me to continue travelling the world and resulted in my extremely successful career so far. I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!

Find out about our Catering & Hospitality courses, here!

My name is Jodine, and I study Business, Management and Leadership as a T Level at Weston College!

During my industry placement as part of my T Level at Sytner Mercedes-Benz in Weston-super-Mare, I experienced nothing but excellence. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was warmly welcomed into the Mercedes family.

This placement not only allowed me to delve into the intricacies of the automotive industry but also provided me with a profound self-discovery journey. As I shadowed various individuals within the sales and service team, I gained invaluable insights into each role and its responsibilities, enabling me to define my future career aspirations, which ultimately led to me getting an amazing job opportunity and joining the team.

The managers consistently cultivate an environment where individuals feel esteemed and acknowledged, demonstrating a commitment to approachability and supportiveness. Mercedes-Benz is a community where you seamlessly become part of the family.

The real gems of this experience were the people. They are not just colleagues; they are treasures who are always ready to lend a helping hand, brighten your day, and ensure you feel like an integral part of the family. In retrospect, the people I encountered at Sytner Mercedes-Benz were the defining factor in making my industry placement truly exceptional.

I have cultivated a diverse skill set integral to the field of business management. My experiences have honed my commercial awareness, refined my communication skills, bolstered my self-confidence, and heightened my emotional intelligence.

I have demonstrated initiative, excelled in information retention, and showcased problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and analytical prowess. Moreover, my resilience and adaptability have been tested and proven, complemented by strong social skills, adept teamwork, and proficient listening capabilities. This comprehensive skill set positions me as a valuable asset in the realm of business management.

My placement at Mercedes-Benz has proven to be instrumental in enhancing my academic pursuits in business management. Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, I have honed my communication skills, cultivated a nuanced understanding of customer service and complaint resolution, and observed first-hand the dynamics of managerial and team meetings.

Additionally, the experience has been invaluable in advancing my IT proficiency, providing exposure to sales and aftersales processes, fostering teamwork strategies, and refining problem-solving methodologies. I have been able to see how managers put the methods, tools, and skills I have learned in my business management course into practice with the employees. The challenges encountered during the placement have fortified my resilience, contributing to a comprehensive and enriched learning journey that seamlessly complements my academic curriculum.

Following the completion of this industry placement, I am thrilled to have been offered employment at Sytner Mercedes-Benz! I am excited to start my career, and would recommend taking the Business, Management and Leadership T Level because the work experience element of the course can open many doors.

Thank you for reading!

Sytner Mercedes-Benz Weston-super-Mare:

“Since starting Jodine has been brilliant, engaged, welcoming to customers and we have already had comments from customers on how helpful she is”

“Jodine has been excellent and her presentation that she presented to the management team was exceptional, well thought out and she used the time she had here to record a huge amount of information whilst working in each department. This led to a really good understanding of how our business operated.”

Two of our media learners, Joshua and Harvey, have been given the exciting opportunity to edit video content for Somerset FA, allowing them to put the skills they have learned throughout their course into practice. As part of this hands-on experience, the students will attend Somerset FA's Premier Cup final on July 31st, where they will create engaging content to highlight the event.

The experience of this collaboration so far has been both a fun and educational experience in sports media production, enhancing the learners skills and portfolios. Working closely with Somerset FA, the learners are set to gain valuable insights into professional video editing and sports event coverage, paving the way for their future careers in the media industry!

Rob Allan, Football Development Manager at Somerset FA:

"Somerset FA are really pleased to be working with Weston College media and production students. Conversations have been taking place with various department for a number of weeks and we’ve now taken the first steps with some really enthusiastic students helping us to edit many hours of our cup final footage. There are lots more plans for future collaboration and we’re hopeful this is the start of a promising partnership that will benefit all parties for years to come." 

Harvey:

“It’s been an amazing opportunity for me to work with the Somerset FA and I am grateful that they put their trust in us as well. I found the experience really interesting as it’s almost working for a client in the field of work I want to get into and it’s the first time I have been able to put my own creative vision across. I have learned how to edit on a software I have never used before and it’s taken some great adaptability skills to do that. It’s going to massively help me with my work as it will boost my skills when editing for clients and give me that confidence to go on to do other projects in the future.”

Joshua:

“It’s a great experience to work alongside my biggest passion in football and especially for something as big as the Somerset FA , I am finding the experience really fun whilst also learning how new software's work such as the Veo Cams which are used a lot in football.”

If you would like to follow in the footsteps of Harvey and Joshua, check out our Media courses here. This partnership with Somerset FA is part of our ever-expanding Careers Excellence Hub (CEH).