News and events

Following the success of last year’s ‘Phobia’ Halloween event collaboration at Puxton Park, Further and Higher Education learners from Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) have collaborated with the Park to design and apply makeup to the 40 learner actors per night! The event ran from 21st - 28th October 2023, and had many haunted attractions including a Haunted Tractor Ride, Dolls House, Asylum, Freak Show, and The Dark Wood.

The impeccable hair and makeup were crafted by learners from Weston College's Hair and Makeup for Fashion and Media, Hair, Makeup, and Special Effects for Film and Theatre, and students from University Centre Weston on the BA (Hons) Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics for Production. The transformation of actors into creatures of the night is a testament to the dedication and skill of the makeup artists, adding to the immersive experience that "Phobia" offers.

The learners from the Performing Arts department utilised their impressive acting skills to strike fear into the hearts of those brave enough to enter. Dressed in scary costumes and adorned with hair and makeup that was nothing short of spectacular, these actors made sure that the Phobia Event lived up to its name. Puxton Park's Marketing Manager, Grace Harvey, expressed her excitement about the event:

"Phobia is an exciting opportunity for all of us here at Puxton Park. Not only has it allowed us to welcome a wider range of visitors, but it also provided us the chance to collaborate with the exceptionally talented teams at Weston College and UCW. We have been impressed by the high level of professionalism and skills these students possess. Their passion and enthusiasm in their respective fields have truly shined, and we were thrilled to see their hard work come to life during the event."

This is the third year that Puxton Park has worked collaboratively with the College on this event and the students' remarkable talent continues to amaze year after year, taking the makeup designs to a whole new, spine-chilling level.

In addition to the spine-tingling performances, the Music department from Weston College also played a role in enhancing the overall atmosphere of the event, with student bands keeping visitors entertained.

Sandra Bull, Assistant Principal – Curriculum, commented “The professionalism and quality of work displayed by each learner working at ‘Phobia’ has been incredible – they have been an absolute asset to Weston College and UCW.

“I would like to thank Puxton Park for welcoming us back for another year and being so supportive to our learners – we can’t wait for next year!”

Phobia has been an incredible opportunity for Puxton Park and Weston College to collaborate again, creating an exciting, immersive Halloween experience for visitors from all around the area. This industry event experience forms part of both the Music and Hair & Beauty Careers Excellence Hub. The College Group has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which support both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields. This partnership with Puxton has provided these students with a platform to showcase their talent and skills and is a shining example of how businesses and educational institutions can work together to create something extraordinary and mutually beneficial.

Weston College is taking on Movember headfirst! This year, the staff body is encouraged to take part in as much physical exercise and activity as possible.  

Movember is a world-famous charity dedicated to tackling men’s health problems including, mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Movember has been active since 2003, with five million people having participated in this time.  

Movember remembers the 60 men lost to suicide globally, every hour, and therefore, the College is launching a challenge for the organization's staff to collectively accumulate 60,000 minutes of exercise throughout November.  

The idea behind this initiative is to demonstrate the profound influence of regular exercise on both physical and mental health. With increasing concerns about men's well-being, including high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, the College aims to raise awareness of these issues and provide access to anyone looking to increase their day-to-day physical activity. 

As part of this endeavour, two of our Vice Principals, Ben Knocks and Gary Durant will commit to exercising for 60 minutes daily for the entire 30 days in November, contributing a total of 1,800 minutes each. Weston College will be encouraging all its staff to contribute to these 60,000 minutes by recording any physical activity that they complete during November. Any form of exercise is encouraged; from high-intensity workouts such as running or cycling, to low-impact activities such as a leisurely walk with friends, engaging in chair aerobics, or taking a gentle swim. 

The College will through its own staff teams will be facilitating taster sessions for staff to participate in, including football, gym inductions, netball and others. Ben and Gary will also be taking part in a number of student activities, such as five-a-side football with students from the Faculty of Inclusive Practice, as well as them hosting a staff HIIT workout on Tuesday 21st at the Health and Active Living Skills Centre with the goal of getting 60 members of staff together to complete 60 minutes of circuit training exercise. 

Weston College staff will also be encouraged to take part in a range of taster sessions for different types of exercise with inductions and introductions to ease any apprehension that staff may have about a new form of exercise. This initiative serves to raise awareness about mental health and highlight the positive impact that movement and exercise can have on both the body and mind. 

The College is looking forward to seeing the strong efforts of our staff towards this endeavour.  

Weston College is proud to announce that Victoria Williams, a remarkable learner with a unique journey, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Law Student of the Year category at the prestigious Bristol Law Awards. The awards ceremony will take place in November, and Victoria's remarkable story of determination and resilience has captured the attention and admiration of the legal community and beyond.

Victoria's journey to this achievement is nothing short of inspiring. As a survivor of sexual assault, Victoria's first encounter with the justice system fuelled her determination to understand and work within the legal field.

After completing her GCSEs with excellent grades, she chose to work as a waitress in Bath to support her family, particularly her mother, who had been a single working parent to Victoria and her brothers.

Victoria's career in law began when she applied for a role as a conveyancing office junior in Bath. She quickly rose through the ranks and discovered her passion for the conveyancing process. This experience led her to embark on a journey to become a Legal Executive through the CILEx (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) qualification. She attended evening classes at a college in Bristol while balancing her responsibilities as a working parent.

Recognising the importance of supporting her own mental health, Victoria sought therapy to work through the emotional toll of her past experiences. She knew that she had a challenging journey ahead but found the strength to persevere with the support of her family.

In 2021, shortly after completing her Level 3 studies, Victoria was appointed Head of a Residential Property Department at her law firm. She took the opportunity to provide training and mentoring to junior conveyancers, demonstrating her passion for sharing legal knowledge and offering support to emerging legal professionals.

Victoria's journey continued as she enrolled in Level 6 studies at Weston College. Motivated by the 'Me Too' movement, she bravely contacted the police to re-open her historical assault case. In early 2023, charges were brought against her assailant.

Recognising the potential impact on her studies, Victoria made the ambitious decision to bring forward her final exams from January 2024 to June 2023 and passed both exams successfully, with just two weeks between the plea hearing and the exams.

Victoria's dedication and determination have resulted in her being shortlisted as a finalist for the Bristol Law Society Law Student of the Year Award. She has courageously waived her right to anonymity to inspire other survivors and demonstrate that academic success is achievable in the face of adversity.

In her own words, Victoria expresses her gratitude: "I am delighted to have been shortlisted as a finalist for the Bristol Law Society Law Student of the Year Award. As a survivor of sexual assault, I have overcome a great deal in my journey to become a qualified lawyer. Juggling study while also working full-time in legal practice is certainly not for the faint-hearted! I am truly grateful to Weston College not only for the nomination but for the fantastic teaching, support, and encouragement they have generously given during my studies. To have my achievements recognised in this way is humbling indeed and motivates me to continue to share my story with the aim of helping other survivors. This last year has been particularly challenging, but with the support of the team at Weston College and my family, colleagues, and mentors, I am proud to have now achieved my Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice and be in the final stages of becoming a Chartered Legal Executive."

Weston College is proud to celebrate Victoria Williams' remarkable journey and her well-deserved recognition as a finalist in the Law Student of the Year category at the Bristol Law Awards. Her story is an inspiration to all who face challenges and adversity in their pursuit of academic and professional success.