News and events

Last week, our Hospitality and Catering students welcomed members of the Catering Services Branch from the Royal Navy, who delivered an engaging presentation about careers within the service, the opportunities available, and the benefits of working as part of their team. The visit concluded with an exciting Ready, Steady, Cook–style challenge where students tested their culinary skills in groups. 

The Royal Navy is the United Kingdom’s naval warfare force, responsible for protecting the nation’s seas, supporting global security, and providing humanitarian aid. Operating ships, submarines, aircraft and elite units, the organisation offers a wide range of career specialisms. Alongside these roles, it provides apprenticeships, technical training and leadership pathways both at sea and on shore. 

During the session, the visiting team shared their own career journeys into the Royal Navy, explaining how they began as apprentices before progressing into full-time roles within the catering branch. They spoke about their experiences and the unique opportunities they have had so far in their careers, including catering for high-profile individuals and travelling as part of their work. 

The team also outlined the application process and the health and fitness requirements needed to join the Royal Navy. They reassured students that the process is far less daunting than many people assume, helping to broaden students’ perspectives and boost their confidence in their own eligibility, ability and talent. 

A career in the Royal Navy offers a wide range of personal and professional benefits. These include a competitive salary, strong support and pension schemes, travel opportunities, access to a variety of sports teams, and a range of discounts across shops, events and leisure activities. 

Following the presentation, the team launched the Ready, Steady, Cook challenge. Students were given recipes and ingredients provided by the Royal Navy to create a fishcake with poached egg for the main course and cookies for dessert. They were encouraged to be creative with both the ingredients and seasonings, as well as the presentation of their dishes. The finished plates were then judged by the Royal Navy team on taste, creativity and presentation to determine the winning group. 

The judges were highly impressed with the dishes produced, praising the students for their professionalism and strong teamwork throughout the challenge. They also highlighted the impressive flavours and the unique approaches each group took when preparing and presenting their meals. 

The workshop provided an excellent opportunity for students to work alongside industry professionals and test their skills by preparing new dishes under time pressure. Experiences like this help students develop their techniques, confidence and adaptability while encouraging them to think creatively with the ingredients available. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, "It was great to have members from the Royal Navy come in and engage with our students, sharing their wide knowledge base and experiences as chefs within the Armed Forces. It's visits like this that help students gain a better understanding of the wide range of career opportunities within the catering industry beyond the traditional kitchen environment. It highlights alternative career pathways that many students may not have previously considered, raising a broader awareness of the opportunities for chefs."

A huge thank you to the Royal Navy Catering team for taking the time to visit our students, share their career journeys, and deliver such an engaging and hands-on workshop. 

This workshop forms part of the Hospitality and Catering 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.

Staff from across Weston College gathered at the Winter Gardens Ballroom for the latest instalment of the College’s Leadership Conversation Series, welcoming guest speaker Johann van Graan, Head of Rugby at Bath Rugby. 

The session explored leadership through the lens of high-performance sport, with van Graan sharing reflections on building belief within teams, leading through change and creating environments where individuals can perform at their best. His insights sparked discussion among staff about how lessons from elite sport can translate into education and organisational leadership. 

The conversation resonated strongly with the College’s own values of Integrity, Compassion, Ambition and being People-Centred, which underpin how staff support learners, colleagues and the wider community. These principles guide the College’s commitment to excellence and collaboration, helping to create a culture where everyone can thrive. 

By connecting lessons from elite sport with the College’s values-led approach, the session encouraged colleagues to reflect on how leadership, coaching and teamwork can help drive positive outcomes across education and beyond. Following the keynote discussion, attendees took part in an interactive workshop on coaching for excellence, exploring practical approaches to developing talent, supporting teams and enabling individuals to reach their full potential. 

Johann van Graan has overseen a remarkable transformation at Bath Rugby since joining the club in 2022. When he arrived, the team had just finished at the bottom of the Premiership Rugby, but under his leadership Bath quickly rebuilt belief and performance, reaching the Premiership Final in the 2023/24 season before going on to secure a historic treble the following year. In 2025 the club ended a 29-year wait for the league title, winning the Premiership alongside the Premiership Rugby Cup and the European Challenge Cup. The achievement marked one of the most significant turnarounds in the club’s history and saw van Graan recognised as Director of Rugby of the Season for his leadership and impact. 

Events such as the Leadership Conversation Series play an important role in supporting the College’s mission of creating brighter futures for its learners, staff and the communities it serves. By bringing together perspectives from education, industry and sport, Weston College continues to inspire new ideas, strengthen leadership practice and reinforce a shared culture of ambition and opportunity. 

Recently, our Photography and Fashion students were given a rare behind-the-scenes look into the world of high-fashion editorial and celebrity styling when Weston-super-Mare hair stylist, Adam Garland, delivered a talk and a hands-on workshop for our Level 3 Photography and Fashion students. 

Garland began his career in Weston before travelling the world to work at the very top of the hair industry, sharing insights around his journey from modest beginnings to styling on professional sets across Europe and Asia for some of the biggest names in fashion. His visit offered students a unique opportunity to learn directly from a creative professional operating at the highest level of the industry. 

During the session, Garland discussed the realities of working on major fashion photoshoots, including the fast-paced, collaborative environment of professional sets. He explained the importance of clear communication between stylists, photographers and creative teams to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved effectively and professionally. Students also gained a stronger understanding of both the creative and professional demands of the industry. 

Following the talk, students took part in a practical workshop where they were able to see first-hand how poses and lighting influence the overall mood, aesthetic and storytelling of a shoot. The session focused on how stylists and photographers collaborate to shape a model’s look to complement lighting, wardrobe and concept - skills that are vital for anyone aspiring to work in fashion photography. 

Sam Brooks, Photography Lecturer at Weston College, added, “This was a highly impactful and insightful session that gave students a deeper understanding of what it is like to work on a real-world photography set for an industry professional. It also provided a valuable opportunity for students to see potential career progression through someone who once started in a similar position to them, inspiring them to pursue their goals and work towards the careers they aspire to achieve.” 

Having already developed a strong professional background within the hair industry, Adam Garner is now expanding his skillset by completing the part-time Adult Photography course at Weston College. This will allow him to professionally showcase his work and capture it in his own creative style. Adam’s journey is an excellent example of how Weston College supports individuals not only in discovering their passions, but also in developing existing talents to further their careers at any stage of life. 

Weston College continues to work closely with industry professionals to ensure students gain valuable real-world experience and insight, helping to prepare them for successful careers within the creative industries. 

A huge thank you to Adam for taking the time to share his extensive knowledge base with our students! 

This hands-on workshop forms part of the Photography and Fashion 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.