News and events
We aim to keep you up-to-date with the very latest Weston College news and events. Take a look below at what's going on at the College!
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Latest events at Weston College
Latest news and developments at Weston College
The new Academic Year was kickstarted by the amazing Freshers’ Fair this week, with the theme of gaming, each stall had an interactive gaming element to engage and excite learners. With informative stalls, interactive games, and a bagful of freebies up for grabs, Freshers’ Fair was a success.
This event gave all students the chance to chat to a range of different organisations who aim to support them and help them grow throughout their time at Weston College, but also make them aware of what the college and surrounding area has to offer.
Some of the fantastic stalls included Avon and Somerset Police to discuss opportunities and services, the Fire & Rescue Service to raise awareness of fire safety, as well as the Careers Advice Team and the Students’ Union to make students aware of the support and facilities available to them.
Not only this, Freshers’ Fair also provided students with loads of amazing offers and discounts for local organisations such as AllStars, Miss Millies, and Hutton Moor, giving learners the chance to branch out and try new things outside of their studies.
On top of this, students had the chance to sign up for clubs and societies via the Students’ Union to allow them to further their passions outside of the classroom and meet new people with similar interests.
Another advantage to Freshers’ Fair is that no learner walked away empty handed! With a range of different freebies up for grabs, from pens, totes, and bucket hats, to sweets, bottles, and keyrings, students were leaving with their hands and pockets full of goodies!
With a theme of gaming, Freshers’ Fair gave students many opportunities to flex their skills, whether that was battling their friends in a game of table tennis or Connect4, or testing their reaction times and steady hand with the Batak wall game and the Buzz Wire test. Learners also had the chance to use the VR headset and step into the action to experience a different world of gaming.
Furthermore, when students wanted a break from the excitement, they had the chance to chill in the relaxation corner and grab a free snack sample from Aspens stall.
All in all, Freshers’ Fair was an extremely successful day with a great turn out of students who were eager to talk to people, get involved with games, and snag some goodies to take home.
A great way to start the new Academic year!
Former learner Lottie has proved to be a shining star, both on and off the pitch. We caught up with her, to discover her journey from studying at Weston College to playing professional rugby in France!
When I began my studies at Weston College in September 2019, I had no idea how transformative the next two years would be.
My academic focus was on A Levels in law, psychology, and combined English literature and language, but the opportunities that came through the College’s sport programmes truly shaped my future.
During my time at Weston College from 2019 to 2021, the staff and coaches worked with me to ensure that I could excel both on and off the pitch.
The flexibility they offered allowed me to balance my rigorous A Level studies with my demanding rugby training schedule. It wasn’t just the understanding from my tutors that helped—it was the quality of coaching that made the biggest difference. The coaches constantly pushed us to improve and offered personalised support to hone our skills. What stood out the most, however, was the off-pitch support the College provided. Rugby is about much more than what happens during a match. Weston College gave me access to nutrition advice, psychological support, and game analysis sessions—elements that allowed me to fully embrace what it means to be an athlete. This holistic approach prepared me for the challenges I would face later, both in my university years and beyond.
After completing my studies at Weston, I went on to graduate with a law degree from the University of Exeter. I was part of their High Performance Pathway for all three years, representing the 1XV and even captaining the team on multiple occasions. During my final year, I was fortunate enough to play for the Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Cup Competition. I also kept up my passion for 7s rugby by playing with Boom Beavers in the Super Sevens Series.
Weston College had set the foundation for my athletic and academic success, but it didn’t stop there. Thanks to the skills and mindset I had developed, I was able to take the next step in my rugby career—joining Montpellier in the Elite 1 league in France. This was not only a chance to grow in my sport but also an opportunity to fulfil a personal goal of learning a new language and living abroad. The move to Montpellier was an exciting next chapter in my journey. I had always wanted to experience life in another country, so after graduating from Exeter, I began researching opportunities to play rugby abroad.
Knowing a few players who had gone to France, I decided to reach out to various teams, and Montpellier responded. I visited the city in February, met the coaches, and knew right away that this was where I wanted to be.
Now, after six weeks of training with the team, including a Super Sevens tournament and a match against the Belgium National Team, I’m ready to start the season. French rugby is known for its flair, and I can’t wait to incorporate that style into my game.
For anyone looking to follow a similar path, my advice is simple: always remember why you love your sport. Rugby can be intense, with the pressures of selections, performances, and winning, but at its core, it should be fun. It should be something that fills your cup, not drains it. While it won’t always be easy, finding joy in the little moments—whether in training or in a match—will keep you motivated and passionate.
Looking back, I realise how pivotal my time at Weston College was. The academic support, combined with their comprehensive approach to sports development, gave me the tools I needed to succeed both as a student and as an athlete. I owe a big thank you to the College, and particularly to Jack Gadd, for all the encouragement and guidance along the way.
If you’re considering studying at Weston College, especially if you’re passionate about sports, I can’t recommend it enough. The College is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals, both academically and athletically, and I’m proud to be one of its success stories.
A big thank you to Lottie, and good luck for the season! If you would like to study a Sports course at Weston College, click here.
Photo credit Simon King.
Next Wednesday (25/09/2024) is our annual ‘What Next?’ event, which will be held at the Winter Gardens.
What Next, designed for students in Year 10 and above from the local area, highlights our commitment to collaborating with employers to present a wide range of career opportunities to school leavers in our region. Partnering with these key regional employers offers an excellent chance to demonstrate the strong relationships we've established through the Careers Excellence Hub pathways at Weston College.
We have 40 employers attending ‘What Next?’ including Airbus, Bristol Airport, EDF Energy, Thatchers, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, North Somerset Council, Mercedes Benz and Lloyds Banking Group, just to name a few!
The event is free to attend and gives school students an opportunity to find out about potential career options by:
- Speaking to local and national employers about career opportunities
- Finding out more about what life is like at Weston College from our students
- Attending an employer talk
- Speaking to college staff to understand what course(s) can get you onto a chosen career path
Key Information:
- Date: Wednesday, 25th September
- Arrival: 3:30 PM Event Close: 7:30 PM
- Venue: Winter Gardens, Royal Parade, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1AJ
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.
