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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!

Got news you want to share with us? Email marketing@weston.ac.uk

Latest events at Weston College

Latest news and developments at Weston College

There is always so much going on across our various campuses and courses. Stay up to date on our latest news
Iain Robertson presenting a guest lecture to students

Last week we were extremely pleased to welcome Iain ‘Robbo’ Robertson to our Loxton Campus for an exciting guest lecture. Iain has years of experience in the music industry, allowing him to give students a direct insight into the music industry and how it works.  

Iain worked as a Tour Manager, a key role in the music industry which means looking after all of the musicians and crew while on the road. This role includes communicating with concert producers and venues to coordinate sound check and set times. On top of this, a Tour Manager will often look after the band's hospitality needs and ensure that the artist's rider requests are met.  

Some of the artists that Iain has managed tours for include Gary Moore, BB King, Spandau Ballet, Sisters of Mercy and even Oasis! He is now Managing our very own alumni Alex Lipinski who a rising star on the Music scene! Iain was able to give learners knowledge, insights and tell riveting stories about tour management. This helped our learners to learn the realities of an ever changing, fascinating and wonderful industry. 

Oz Cahill, one of the music instructors at Weston College organised the guest lecture and had this to say: “One of the most important and valuable opportunities for our learners is to connect with genuine industry professionals. It was a real privilege to have Iain Robertson, an Industry Legend, give us his time in the Music Department of Weston College.” 

This guest speaker forms part of the Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub. At Weston College our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through industry speakers, workshops, employer projects, and more, we equip our learners with the real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job market. It's not just about getting a job; it's about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches. 

A huge thanks to Iain for coming in and supporting our students!  

To find out more about music at Weston College, click here.

Beauty learners posing for a photo together on trip to Beauty Rooms Medi Spa

Learners studying Level 2 and 3 courses part of our Career Excellence Hub in Hair and Beauty, embarked on a thrilling trip last week to Beauty Rooms Medi Spa, where they had the opportunity to see a health spa in action.

Guided by Amanda from Beauty Rooms Medi Spa, our learners were treated to a tour of the spa, and were also able to gain hands-on experience with Caci and Guinot machines, as well as discovering all about franchising opportunities.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Divisional Lead for Service Sectors at Weston College, said: “It was fantastic for our learners to be able to visit Beauty Rooms Medi Spa.

“The feedback from learners has been overwhelmingly positive, with several expressing how they feel more motivated since visiting the spa.

“At Weston College we are all about careers, and not courses, and this is the perfect example of our Career Excellence Hub in action. A big thank you to Amanda for the tour, we look forward to working closely with you over the coming months.”

Find out more about our Beauty courses, by clicking here.

Neurodiversity celebration week banner with a blue background and large black capital text

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! To celebrate, we want to showcase some information regarding inclusion awareness training.

Weston College has seen increasing demand from our employer network for neurodiversity and inclusion awareness training. Business demand, alongside only 1 in 5 autistic adults being in employment, resulted in the College creating training for employers to access, supporting businesses to make inclusive adjustments in hiring and employment processes. Supporting existing staff has also been a theme given that 65% of neurodivergent employees do not disclose their conditions due to fear of discrimination improving inclusion strategies and policies will foster a more inclusive workplace.  

During the past 18 months, over 450 people from 40+ businesses have been trained; sharing key knowledge on recruiting, retaining, and supporting staff and customers. Workshops cover autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia along with racism, LGBTQ+ issues, sensory differences, and trauma-informed response.  

The initiative has generated promising results, with businesses like Mendip Activity Centre, Puxton Park, and The Grand Pier implementing changes to become more neurodiversity friendly. Puxton Park has made its facilities more inclusive and accessible, diversified its workforce, and created tailored roles for applicants.  

Similarly, Mendip Activity Centre, known for its outdoor activities, underwent dedicated training, fostering empathy and understanding among staff members. The Grand Pier now provides sensory-sensitive equipment and a quiet room for visitors with sensory sensitivities.  

Mendip Activity Centre, known for its adventurous outdoor activities’ welcome individuals and groups of all ages and abilities took part in dedicated training. One staff member remarked that, "Just by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes who is neurodivergent was hugely impactful and we don’t have the ability to understand unless we ask".   

Lynsey McKinstry, Business Partnership Manager for SEND provision, has continued to support businesses in their goals to understand and value individual needs. The initiative aims to create a genuinely inclusive society where everyone can thrive. " Instilling Inclusion at every level and opening employment routes for neurodivergent employees; the journey into inclusive practice is not just about ticking a box, but about creating a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive utilising incredible skills that are often overlooked."  

Employers interested in the training can contact Lynsey at employers@weston.ac.uk or visit our Inclusive Practice page.

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One Message, Different Voices

Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

Halo workplace logo

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.