<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; students at Weston College are benefiting from the extensive industry experience of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… and Fitness</a> lecturer, Isaac Berry, whose successful coaching career continues to shape and enhance the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.</p><p>Alongside teaching and coaching students at the College, Isaac is currently coaching <strong>AFC Stoneham</strong>, who recently celebrated a historic victory in the <strong>FA Vase Final</strong> at <strong>Wembley Stadium</strong>. The achievement highlights the real-world expertise that staff bring into students’ learning environments, giving them valuable insight into the demands and rewards of working within the sports industry.</p><p>Isaac’s background in football coaching involves both professional clubs and educational programmes. Throughout his career, he has worked within the academy at <strong>Colchester United</strong>, where he also managed the college football programme, before moving on to become Head Coach of a football college programme in Newbury. In addition to his work in the UK, he has also coached in the United States during the summer months, further broadening his experience within the sport.</p><p>Now in his second season with AFC Stoneham, Isaac has assisted in guiding the club to remarkable success, winning six trophies in just two seasons, including the <strong>FA Vase trophy</strong> at Wembley, marking a significant milestone for the club and everyone connected to it.</p><p>For students, having lecturers with current industry involvement offers significant benefits to both their learning and personal development. Isaac’s continued work in football allows him to bring up-to-date knowledge, modern coaching ideas, and real-life experiences directly into lessons and practical sessions, giving students a clearer understanding of the realities of the sports industry.</p><p>Not only this, Isaac will also be <strong>Weston College’s Football Academy First Team</strong> coach in September, further strengthening opportunities for aspiring footballers and coaches within the College’s academy pathway. Students are able to learn not only technical and tactical knowledge, but also the resilience, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills required to succeed in such a competitive industry.</p><p>Reflecting on the rewards and challenges of coaching, Isaac explained that some of the most rewarding aspects is the teamwork, seeing ideas and game plans come to life on the pitch, and building strong bonds and friendships throughout the sport. However, he also highlighted the importance of perseverance, explaining that setbacks are part of the journey and encouraging students to keep going through the difficult moments in order to achieve the rewards.</p><p>His advice to students hoping to progress into professional coaching is centred around dedication and passion for the sport. He explained that coaching can be the best job in the world, but requires commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to work hard in all conditions.</p><p>He also emphasised the importance of how remaining active within the industry directly benefits his students, as it enables him to provide relevant examples and maintain valuable professional connections that can support learners as they progress into careers within <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… added, “Being involved in the industry allows me to give students real-life experiences and examples during lessons and practical sessions. It helps me stay up to date with modern ideas and trends within the game, while also continuing to build contacts that can support students and provide networking opportunities for them as they move into the industry themselves.”</p><p>Isaac also expressed his gratitude to Weston College’s <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; Department and management team for supporting his continued work within football alongside his teaching career.</p><p>By learning from lecturers with active industry experience, our students gain far more than classroom knowledge. They are exposed to current industry standards, professional expectations, and practical insights that help build confidence, develop employability skills, and prepare them for successful futures within the sports sector.</p><p>This forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… and Fitness</a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.</strong></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… and Fitness</a> students recently received a hands-on workshop with self-employed sports physiotherapist, Sam, who shared her expertise with the students as part of their current unit on their course, gaining a deeper understanding of how to deal with injuries.</p><p>During the workshop, students practised a range of sports massage techniques on each other, focusing on targeting specific muscle groups and areas of tension or discomfort. This hands-on experience enabled students to refine their practical skills, improve their confidence, and develop a greater understanding of how sports massage can support recovery, performance, and injury prevention. Students also benefited from receiving professional feedback throughout the session, helping them identify strengths and areas for improvement ahead of their upcoming practical exams.</p><p>The workshop gave students the opportunity to work in a realistic and professional environment while developing important communication, consultation, and client care skills. Learning from a self-employed practitioner also provided students with a valuable understanding of career pathways within the sport, exercise, and health industries, including the opportunities and responsibilities associated with self-employment.</p><p>The session provided students with valuable insight into current industry practices and expectations, allowing them to learn directly from someone with extensive real-world experience within the sports therapy and fitness industry. The experience helped students feel more prepared and exam-ready while further developing the practical and professional skills needed for future careers.</p><p>A huge thank you to Sam for sharing her invaluable insight and knowledge with our students to give them a practical understanding of the benefits of sport massage to athlete's development.</p><p>This workshop forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… and Fitness</a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.</strong></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Earlier this month, a wide range of students took a trip to <strong>New York City</strong> to visit the iconic tourist attractions and experience the sights of one of the most famous cities in the world. This trip was largely funded by the <strong>Turing Scheme</strong> and allowed students from <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Media Makeup</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> to explore New York for two weeks for an affordable rate.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Group photo in front of the statue of liberty&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5add5d7e-3290-47e1-ba68-43a441be72a8" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The Turing Scheme is the UK’s global programme for studying and working abroad, enabling students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to gain the confidence, skills, and international experience that employers value. Weston College has been fortunate enough to secure over £216,000 in Turing Scheme funding to transform student experience and create unforgettable memories.</p><p>During the trip, our students visited iconic tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden, Central Park, and Times Square, exploring the areas and enjoying the sights that the city offered.</p><p>On top of this, some students took part in workshops such as a Broadway Dance Centre class and a Stage Combat workshop, as well as others using their free time to attend a football match, Broadway shows such as Six the Musical, The Great Gatsby, and Death Becomes Her. They even received backstage tours of Radio City Music Hall and experienced the harrowing 9/11 Memorial Museum which had a last impact on the students.</p><p>Outside of the activities and sights, students had lots of free time for shopping and trying new foods, with corndogs being a new favourite. Not only this, they also saw many celebrities entering the Devil Wears Parada 2 Premier, and even met Daniel Radcliffe after his show and took a selfie with him, a definite highlight of the trip!</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;2 students taking a selfie with Daniel Radcliffe&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aad53a38-2ddc-43ed-a930-421aabfb1c91" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>Students adapted well to New York and quickly became used to the fast-paced atmosphere, navigating their way around, and the general feel of such a huge city. They faced some challenges through the trip, however everyone showed fantastic resilience, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as developing their independence, confidence, and trust in themselves and others.</p><p>This trip created unforgettable memories accessible to everyone, as well as introduced students to their peers across different curriculum areas, building lasting friendships with people they may not have had the opportunity to meet.</p><p>Joe Miller, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a> lecturer at Weston College and supervisor of the trip, added, “This trip was a fantastic opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in a vibrant city with many different cultures. The group were such a pleasure to travel with, they were appreciative, mature, and happy to try new things, and they really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones. It was great to see every learner grow across the two weeks and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the staff who accompanied me on this trip, your support was invaluable and made the experience far more seamless and enjoyable!”</p><p>As a college, we’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Turing Scheme for making this experience possible and enabling our students to go on fantastic trips like this to enrich their future careers.</p><p>Thank you to Joe Miller, Lucy Cruse, Heather Boucher, and Hannah Prior for supervising the students on this trip and ensuring they made lasting memories!</p><p>This trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Media Makeup</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> Careers Excellence Hubs. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>