Earlier this month, our Uniformed Protective Services students took part in an emergency response simulation to provide them with invaluable, hands-on experience and prepare them for a future career in the emergency and protective services industry.  

This event was a fantastic collaboration opportunity across Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW), with our Protective Services students acting as the respondents, and the HE UAL Level 4 Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students turning a handful of Protective Services students into gruesome casualties, using fake blood and prosthetics to create realistic wounds and simulate a potential real-world scenario. 

During this simulation, the casualties were given a general back story to answer any questions the responders may have so they are able to investigate the two events being simulated: a gas explosion and a fatal bike collision as a result of a knife crime incident. Students remained in character and took their responsibilities seriously, asking effective questions and reacting appropriately to the information provided.  

This simulation event was a fantastic way for students to experience a real-world emergency scenario in a safe environment and get a glimpse into the questions to ask, the potential responses and discomfort of the casualties and how to approach them, and the challenges respondents must overcome. 

This event was also a great experience for the HE Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students, giving them the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge and follow a brief to create designs that would match a specific injury. Not only this, they also got to the opportunity to see how their work transformed the event and made it more realistic and believable, seeing the impact that makeup and prosthetics can have to bring a set to life. 

Students approached their roles as respondents with professionalism and empathy, engaging casualties patiently and compassionately. This not only strengthened their communication skills but also enhanced their leadership and problem-solving abilities. Working collaboratively, they gathered critical information about the situation and effectively applied their classroom knowledge to determine appropriate next steps. 

Nicola Stent, Lecturer in Protective Services, said, “It was amazing to see how stuck-in the students got with this event, asking appropriate questions and treating it with respect and seriousness as they would in their future careers within the Protective Services industry. This was a great way to prepare them for the fast-paced and high-pressure scenarios that they may face in the future. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics team for bringing the vision to life, creating such realistic and detailed wounds that reflected a real-life emergency scenario.” 

A huge well done to all the students and staff involved in this event, the collaboration is a reflection of the hands-on and high-quality approach to teaching that students experience throughout their course. 

This simulation event forms part of the Protective Services 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.  

Progress to the next level in Criminology and Public Services! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here! 

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.