News and events

Weston College's Foundation Learning Football Academy is making headlines, as they qualify to represent the South West at the AoC National Finals, taking place in April at Nottingham University.

Qualification was secured in a stunning 6-0 victory against Yeovil College, a testament to the team's dedication and collaborative spirit, with star of the match, Lucas Adams, showcasing his skills with an impressive hattrick.

Nick Chadwick, one of the team’s coaches, expressed pride in the players' hard work and commitment: “This journey to the National Finals is a testament to the incredible dedication and inclusive ethos of our team. Every player, contributes to our success, fostering a true sense of unity and sportsmanship.”

Joe Radcliffe, one of the other coaches echoed these thoughts, saying: “We have seen some amazing performances, with the team scoring lots of goals on route to the final. The team continue to impress us every match, and we’re looking forward to the finals in April.”

As they gear up for the National Finals at Nottingham University, the team is poised for another thrilling chapter in their remarkable journey.

A huge well done to the team, and good luck in the finals!

The College was delighted to host Loud Speaker for an engaging workshop titled 'The Game of Life.' This empowering session was specifically crafted to guide our students in cultivating resilience and confidence while elevating their aspirations. The workshop seamlessly integrated elements aimed at enhancing emotional intelligence and fostering the development of unique personal storytelling skills. Students from various disciplines, including Sport, Creative Arts, Animal Management, Education and Early Years, Business, Engineering, and Construction Careers Excellence Hubs, enthusiastically participated in this enlightening event. Loud Speaker's dynamic approach left a lasting impact on our students, equipping them with valuable life skills for the journey ahead.

The speakers were fantastic, delivering impactful and thoughtful workshops with high energy. A key element of Loud Speaker’s workshops involve developing young people’s ability to speak confidently in situations like an interview, a first date or on a stage. Loud Speaker say that “For the young people that we interact with, the future is a beautiful mystery. The only thing that’s certain is that they will have to source opportunities and convince people to take a shot on them.”

One of the speakers Richard gave us some inspiring words: “As much as we all love technology and social media, I feel like we’re losing that ability to look someone in the eye and use our voices confidently and competently.  

“I want to be able to go into colleges across the country, especially here at Weston College, to be able to give young people that skill and also make them feel confident that they can use their voices again in any walk of life that they choose to use it.”  

We spoke to our Head of Personal Development and Student Voice, Antonia Travers who said: “It was fantastic to have Loud Speaker come in and deliver exceptional workshops to our learners, for the second time. We had four facilitators deliver eight, three-hour sessions, over three campuses.  

“The workshops were highly energetic and motivational, they supported the development of learner's communication, resilience and inspired them to think about their futures and aim high. 

A huge thank you to Loud Speaker for coming in and inspiring our learners!  

This workshop forms part of the College’s Careers Excellence Hub programme; where we are committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving world and job market. These additional experiences for our students are designed to help our students gain valuable life skills and bridge the gap between education and a career.

Recently our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners took part in an exciting exercise hosted by our LibraryPlus team. The class was given an immersive demonstration of the latest virtual reality (VR) technology, opening a gateway to a new dimension of learning. The students, many of whom had never experienced VR before, eagerly donned headsets to explore innovative tools that could one day revolutionise their educational journey. 

Weston College aims to integrate VR into its curriculum, recognising its potential to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. The initiative reflects our commitment to preparing students for the challenges of the modern workforce, where technology plays an increasingly vital role. The students enthusiastically embraced this cutting-edge technology. 

The VR experience was a hit with the ESOL learners. Student Mohammed said: “It was amazing! Very different, and a strange feeling but something very new.” Learner Tony particularly enjoyed the experience saying: “I really enjoyed it; it was super fun!”  

ESOL lecturer John said: “It was an amazing immersive experience. Students were able to explore with focus.”