Weston College was delighted to welcome back distinguished alumna and BBC journalist Sophie Long this week as she officially opened the college’s new Weston Waves Podcast & Audio Suite at Loxton Campus. 

Sophie, who studied A Levels at Weston College, has gone on to build an impressive career across both radio and television. She began her journalism journey at local stations including BBC Radio Cornwall and BBC Radio Shropshire, before progressing to national BBC News, where she now works as a correspondent and presenter on flagship bulletins, including the 8pm BBC News Summary. 

Returning to Weston College to open the new facility marked a special moment, celebrating both Sophie’s career journey and the college’s continued investment in industry-relevant learning spaces. 

Speaking at the launch, Sophie Long said: 

“It has been amazing to see the fantastic new facilities at Weston College and meet some of the students who will benefit from them. The Media landscape is so different now from the one I entered nearly 30 years ago and it’s lovely to see how the facilities have been updated to prepare students to go off into the ever-changing world of Media. It is such a dynamic industry, so it is great to see that students have access to such high-quality equipment and opportunities within Weston College and I’m excited to hear more about the work they create within this new podcast suite in the future.” 

The Weston Waves Podcast & Audio Suite has been designed to give students hands-on experience in a professional studio environment, supporting courses in Media, Journalism and the creative industries. The facility enables students to develop real-world skills in audio production, podcasting and digital storytelling, reflecting the evolving demands of the modern media landscape. 

The suite is a modern, flexible and student-focused space, fully sound-proofed to allow for crisp, broadcast-quality audio. At its centre is a contemporary podcast table featuring four RØDE broadcast microphones on adjustable boom arms, with studio headphones for each participant — ideal for interviews, panel discussions and collaborative podcast recording. 

Professional recording equipment supports multi-track audio capture, while a large mobile TV screen provides additional versatility. The screen can be used to display show notes, visual prompts or video calls with remote contributors, allowing the space to adapt easily to different production formats. 

Students are also supported by a dedicated technician, who assists with studio setup, sound monitoring and production techniques. This ensures learners can focus on creativity while gaining practical experience of working in a real studio setting. 

In addition to the main recording space, the suite includes a dedicated Foley area for sound effects creation. Equipped with a range of surfaces, props and recording tools, this space allows students to produce bespoke sound effects — from footsteps and ambient noise to object interactions — supporting projects in podcasting, film and immersive audio.