Our Construction Career Excellence Hub launched BACE Talks in January, which went down very successfully with learners.

The idea, which took inspiration from the very popular online series, TED Talks, allows learners to hear from industry professionals, who share their story and give top tips for the industry.

Some of the guests this year included employers from Bradfords Building Supplies, Hinkley Point C and British Gypsum.

Learners from our Business Career Excellence Hub raised an incredible £5,170 for Weston Hospicecare, through the Business Enterprise Challenge.

The Business Enterprise Challenge sees Business students split into18 groups, and tasked with raising money for Weston Hospicecare. Each group are given a Business Mentor, as well as a £50 donation for a start-up budget. The challenge is to turn their £50 into the most profit, with all proceeds going to the charity.

Each group of learners created their business plan, which includes sourcing products, developing their pricing strategy, coming up with a marketing plan and then selling their product or service.

Weston College SEND Centre for Excellence was selected to provide support for the Falkland Islands' education provision, carrying out a SEND review across Primary, Secondary, and Post-16.

The focus of the visit was to support the Falklands in developing a whole-college approach to inclusivity, considering how SEND learners are supported, meeting local community needs, and delivering high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment.

The team also provided training in supporting children and young people with Autism, those with Social Emotional and Mental Health, and creating accessible classrooms that meet the neurodiverse needs of young people.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal visited the state-of-the-art Health and Active Living Skills Centre at Loxton Campus in March.

The visit included a demonstration of an inclusive sports session with Special Education Needs learners, and the College’s Football Academy students' strength and conditioning class.

The tour also offered an opportunity to meet groups of Health and Social Care learners who were taking part in a nutrition and food science session, plus a chance to meet Apprenticeship students showcasing a range of medical scenarios on medical mannequins.

The students explained to HRH The Princess Royal that the medical mannequins helped them to practice and improve their skills before working with real patients, so preparing them to be competent and confident healthcare professionals.

Talented Performing Arts learners wowed audiences this year, with performances of shows such as Blood Brothers and Chicago. 

For the aspiring performers, these productions were more than just a show; it was an opportunity to experience the dynamics of a professional working environment. The dedication and hard work put in by the cast and crew was evident in every scene. Their commitment to their craft and their passion for the art of storytelling shone brightly on the stage.

Weston College's T Level learners achieved an extraordinary 100% pass rate this year – outshining the national pass rate of 90.5%.

T Levels, introduced as a new technical qualification pathway, emphasise a blend of classroom learning and practical experience, making Weston College's achievement even more noteworthy.

The achievement of a flawless pass rate is a reflection of the dedication put forth by students and the unwavering support provided by staff at Weston College.

In October we celebrated Black History Month, with the theme of Saluting our Sisters.

We held events for our students and staff, which featured influential speakers, educators and artists, paying tribute to women of colour who paved the way for progress and explore how their legacy shapes our future.

Events that took place, included:

• Korede Adedoyin – Founder & Operations Director at the Vemoye Foundation | Raising Africa’s Future Workforce 
• Adaku Onuegbu BSc – Psychology graduate who completed her Level 3 in Health & Social Care with Weston College 
• Louise Hill-Davis Ma, Ba, BSc – Lecturer and Assessor in Health and Social Care – Independent Creative Facilitator – Performance Artist 
• Yemmy’s Kitchen - a caterer who specialises in baking. You are invited to come and taste some traditional West African dishes with a twist 
• Sheriden Akintayo BSc – Social Worker for South Gloucestershire Council and Psychology graduate • Bongai Mutema LLB, MA – Solicitor in Local Government. Local Authority Solicitor, Court of Protection and Adult Social Care Law.

A delegation from Shanghai Zhiwai Education Technology who are based in China, comprising of Dr. Peter Chen, Joe Jiao, and Ms. Eve Li, visited Weston College in October, to explore a multifaceted collaboration.

This visit focused on potential partnership opportunities, including joint-college programmes, student initiatives, teacher training, curriculum development, and the establishment of the ISAR-Weston Sino-UK Vocational Education Integration Centre.

The discussions between representatives of both institutions covered a wide spectrum of potential collaboration areas, emphasising the mutual commitment to advancing educational opportunities and fostering cross-cultural exchange.

Learners from Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) collaborated with Puxton Park to design and apply makeup at their annual Phobia Halloween event!

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.

Teams from across Weston College took over the Weston Job Centre Plus in November, to showcase the opportunities and courses of all levels which are available to adults.

Tutors and support staff across a wide range of faculties including Pre-Employment, Part Time/Full Time Adult Courses, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Access to HE, Bootcamps and ESOL were in attendance, offering advice on the best next steps to those who came along.

The Job Centre welcomed over 300 people on the day, resulting in a fantastic number of sign-ups to courses of all levels, giving the opportunity for upskilling, retraining or beginning a new career.

In the spirit of community empowerment, Weston College embarked on an ambitious challenge in September, initiating three transformative 30 day challenges.

Each challenge set out to create new opportunities and forge new pathways for people within the community to enter employment, through apprenticeships, industry placements and adult training.

Now, as the challenge has concluded, Weston College has successfully achieved its target, gaining 542 apprenticeship opportunities, 192 industry placements and supporting 153 adults, all within a 30 day period.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.