News and events

Today, Weston College proudly celebrated the achievements of our care experienced learners at the first Care Experienced Awards, held at the Conference Centre.

The special event welcomed care experienced learners, social workers, virtual school staff, foster carers, key workers, and college staff, who gathered to recognise and celebrate the outstanding dedication, resilience, and achievements of students throughout the academic year.

The awards ceremony highlighted the remarkable progress made by care experienced learners across a range of curriculum areas and acknowledged the positive impact they have had within the college community and beyond.

Awards were presented across categories inspired by Weston College's READY to Learn values. A huge well done to all of the students below!

WINNERS:

Respect Award Winner - Aimee

Empathy Award Winner - Izzy

Attend Award Winner - Connor

Determined Award Winner - Zayed

You Award - Duong

In addition, a special Outstanding in the Community Award was presented to Adam, who has made an exceptional contribution to the community outside of his studies.

The event provided an opportunity not only to celebrate success but also to acknowledge the perseverance and commitment shown by care experienced learners in overcoming challenges and pursuing their educational goals. Their achievements reflect the values of determination, respect, and ambition that are central to the Weston College community.

Speaking after the event, college representatives praised the learners for their dedication and success, highlighting the importance of recognising the achievements of care experienced young people and celebrating the positive impact they make within the college and wider community.

Following the awards presentation, guests enjoyed refreshments and had the opportunity to connect with fellow learners, carers, and professionals who continue to support young people in their educational journeys.

The Care Experienced Awards remain an important annual event for Weston College, providing a platform to recognise excellence, inspire confidence, and celebrate the accomplishments of learners whose determination and commitment continue to make a lasting difference.

A group of adult students recently hosted a fashion fundraiser in Weston-super-Mare, bringing together the local community for an evening of style, entertainment, and charitable giving.

The event, organised by a focus group consisting of Lauren, Seonagh, Julie, and Tash as part of their pre-employment course, successfully raised funds for Weston Hospicecare, Motor Neurone Disease Association, and Alzheimer’s Society. It showcased how education, creativity, and community spirit can come together to make a meaningful impact.

The focus group have worked on this project since last December, and the project has encouraged them to develop their skills for the workplace. The group also recently won the ‘Making a Difference’ award at our Student Conference, showing the impact they have had on their own personal development as well as the community.

The North Somerset Scrapstore played a key role in supporting a successful steampunk-themed fundraising fashion show, providing many of the materials used to create the outfits. The fashion show raised money for three charities: the Alzheimer's Society, Weston Hospicecare, and the MND Association. Funds were generated through online ticket sales, tickets sold on the door, a raffle and auction, the sale of donated clothing, and photography sales from the event. Initial estimates suggest that approximately £750 was raised for each charity, with final figures to be confirmed.

Many of the outfits featured in the show were donated, altered, or created by the team themselves using reclaimed materials. Hair and makeup were provided free of charge by a volunteer, helping to keep costs low and maximise fundraising efforts.

The event was held at the Borough Arms and featured entertainment from two local singers, Angela and Annie. Models were recruited from across Weston-super-Mare through local Facebook groups, resulting in a diverse range of participants of different ages and body types. Promotion was supported by local media, with the Weston Mercury helping to publicise the event to a wider audience. Photography was provided by an external photographer who volunteered through a connection with one of the students.

Organising the event presented several challenges, including marketing, securing support from local businesses, arranging a venue, and coordinating a group with differing schedules. Despite these obstacles, the team successfully delivered the event and reflected on lessons learned, discussing how they might improve future events.

The fundraiser formed part of the students’ coursework, offering valuable real-world experience in event management and community engagement – key components of their current studies. Thanks to strong attendance and generous donations, the event made a meaningful contribution to all three charities.

Juliette Weaver, Lecturer in Pre-Employment, said: "When people work together with passion and purpose, amazing things happen. This group proved that by creating a charity fashion show that brought their community together and made a positive impact."

Take a look at our pre-employment courses here.

Just before half term, our ESOL learners aged 16–18 set off on an exciting residential trip to Mendip Activity Centre - a memorable experience that combined adventure, friendship, and learning beyond the classroom.

Throughout the trip, students took part in a range of exciting activities, including team-building challenges, archery, and disc golf.

While each activity brought its own fun and excitement, they also encouraged learners to communicate in English in real-life situations.

Whether they were giving instructions, encouraging teammates, or celebrating successes together, every challenge became an opportunity to develop their language skills in a natural and meaningful way.

The residential was about much more than adventure. For many students, it was a chance to step outside their comfort zones, become more independent, and discover strengths they didn't know they had.

Working together to solve problems and support one another helped build confidence, resilience, and trust, while creating stronger friendships across the group.

Bringing together learners from different backgrounds also created valuable opportunities for cultural exchange.

By the end of the trip, there was a real feeling of community that extended far beyond the activities themselves.