Weston College was delighted to welcome the National Youth Theatre to deliver its IGNITE Your Creativity programme, a series of fully funded, industry-led workshops designed to inspire and engage students from across a wide range of creative and technical curriculum areas. Delivered in partnership with and supported by Netflix, the programme provided learners with practical, hands-on experiences that introduced them to the wide range of creative and technical roles within film, television, theatre and related industries. 

Taking place over a two-week period, the workshops enabled students to work closely with industry professionals, gaining first-hand insight into how creative projects are developed and delivered in professional environments. Learners explored a variety of roles and responsibilities, from performance and production to technical and behind-the-scenes careers, while developing confidence, teamwork skills and a greater understanding of working on professional film and theatre sets. 

The programme engaged students from Performing Arts, Media, Theatrical Hair and Makeup, Fashion, Art and Design, A Levels, Into Work and Creative Media Extension learners with SEND, and the King’s Trust cohort. Sessions were carefully tailored to meet the needs of each group, ensuring that all participants were able to access meaningful, relevant and inclusive learning experiences, regardless of background or career stage. 

Students were introduced to a wide range of creative disciplines, including acting and performance, directing and assistant directing, producing, research, camera and sound, podcast and audio production, screenwriting and vertical drama. Learners studying fashion, hair and makeup explored costume design, fabrication, set and prop creation, hair, wigs and special effects makeup for productions. SEND learners and those preparing for employment benefitted from accessible delivery, clear progression routes and increased confidence in exploring creative career pathways. 

The practical, short-format sessions had a positive impact on student engagement, motivation and attendance. Fully funded delivery, bursaries and adaptable approaches helped remove barriers to participation, reinforcing the college’s commitment to inclusive education. The programme also strengthened progression by highlighting routes into mentoring, showreel development, industry networks and further specialist training. 

Students who participated in the workshops have been offered to take part in a fully funded, one-week National Youth Theatre course taking place during February Half Term at the Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare. This intensive programme will enable learners to collaboratively create a short film for use in CVs and showreels, while receiving mentoring and guidance from more than ten industry professionals. Students will gain hands-on technical experience across key production areas, including sound, camera, lighting, make-up and design, alongside the opportunity to take part in industry visits that deepen their understanding of professional creative environments.  

This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with high-profile employers and gain experience that will enhance their portfolio. It is also a great networking opportunity, giving students the chance to continue to work with the National Youth Theatre in the future and gain hands-on experience in a range of potential career paths. 

Ethan Shi, A Level Media Lecturer, added, "Breaking into the creative industries, such as Film and TV, can be challenging. It takes confidence. It takes skills. It takes passion. But even more so, opportunities. When employers and industry speakers step into the classroom, they will demonstrate and support learners by turning their imagination and career prospects into real pathways. They show not just what it takes to gain a foothold, but also demonstrate the diverse roles and potential that can be achieved through the right guidance, access, and progression." 

Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnership Manager at Weston College, said, “We are so grateful to the National Youth Theatre for delivering these workshops to our students. It is employer engagement like that is invaluable for our students personal and professional development. Hearing directly from industry professionals helped bring careers in the Creative industry to life and showed learners the wide range of roles available within production. These opportunities allow students from all pathways to build confidence, understand employer expectations and see how their skills can translate into real employment.” 

A huge thank you to the team at the National Youth Theatre who took the time to visit our students and deliver these impactful workshops. 

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.