<p>Last Thursday, our Protective Services lecturers, Nicola Stent and David Usher, hosted a highly impactful and collaborative event involving students from Protective Services, Performing Arts, and UCW Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics. With expert guidance from Tara O'Hare, a lecturer in Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics, this exciting simulation provided learners with real-world, practical experience in emergency response scenarios.</p><p>The event tested students' skills in handling crises, working under pressure, and collaborating across disciplines, making it a truly enriching learning opportunity.</p><p>The event featured two simultaneous intense and immersive simulations. The first involved a gas explosion in the Production Arts classroom, while the second took place in the Sports Hall, where students responded to mystery attack and attack/bike collision scenarios.&nbsp; The mystery attack scenario was designed to test the crisis management and communication skills of the students. It involved four Performing Arts students, with one portraying a woman who had just broken up with her partner. Along with her three friends, she was stabbed by the ex-partner, who had followed them. A passing biker stopped to help and was also injured in the attack. The woman, knowing the attacker as her former partner, called Nicola, who was acting as 999 emergency services, via Teams to report the incident. The Protective Services students (who were unbeknownst to this planned simulation) sprang into action, immediately taking charge of the scene when the distress call was received. They engaged in a rapid and detailed assessment of the situation, asking critical questions about the number of casualties and the identity of the attacker.&nbsp;</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege/video/7449726207526063393&quot; data-video-id="7449726207526063393"><section><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?refer=embed&quot; target="_blank" title="@westoncollege">@westoncollege</a></p><p>Our Protective Services, Performing Arts, and UCW Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics learners collaborated to create a close-to-real-life simulation of a critical incident to test how our Protective Services learners would react. 💥💥 Here's how it went...</p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-WestonCollege-7449726285607…; target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - WestonCollege">♬ original sound - WestonCollege</a></p></section></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><p>&nbsp;The Protective Services students secured the scene, performed first aid, and ensured proper protocol was followed, simulating the role of police officers and emergency responders.&nbsp;</p><p>The second simulation focused on a gas explosion scenario in the Production Arts classroom. The Protective Services students had been waiting outside for their lesson, only to find the room had been hit by an explosion. Inside, Drama students acted as victims, injured and in pain, with their wounds carefully painted on by the Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students. The Protective Services team had to act swiftly, treating the victims’ injuries and preparing for the unexpected. They also had to manage the threat of a fake bomb, ensuring a swift evacuation of the casualties to a safe triage area, securing the crime scene, and following emergency procedures.&nbsp;</p><p>The event allowed students to explore the more practical side of their courses, helping them understand the importance of teamwork, communication, and quick decision-making in emergency scenarios. They also gained invaluable insights into the process of responding to 999 calls, securing crime scenes, and providing immediate care in high-stress situations.&nbsp;</p><p>Without the support of the other student departments within the College, the event wouldn’t have been such a success. Our Performing Arts students excellently stayed in character throughout the simulation, acting as victims in distress, and convincingly portraying their injuries; the Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students, expertly crafted lifelike injuries, from stab wounds to burns and abrasions, bringing the scenarios to life; and the Protective Services students, who demonstrated professionalism and composure under pressure, responding to the emergencies with precision and care.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>And a huge thank you to Nicola Stent for making what the students thought would be a normal lesson into a fast-paced simulation that we’re sure they’ll never forget!&nbsp;</p><p>This partnership forms part of the Protective Services, Performance and Production arts and Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>To learn more about our Protective Services courses, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… here.</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p>To find out about what courses we have to offer for Performance and Production Arts, please <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… here.</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p>To see more about our Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics courses, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/hair-make-up-and-prosthetics-for-producti… here.</u></a>&nbsp;&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 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.</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Our Fashion, Photography, and Art students recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the renowned Victoria and Albert Museum (V&amp;A) in Knightsbridge, London, where they immersed themselves in the world of fashion and photography. The group explored the iconic career of supermodel Naomi Campbell, whose exhibition at the V&amp;A showcased a collection of works by some of the world’s top designers and photographers. The exhibition also highlighted Naomi’s significant activism and her cultural impact.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;students standing outside victoria and albert museum in london&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73af149f-eb37-430a-afd5-3051f6247da7" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>In addition to the Naomi Campbell exhibition, the students visited the Fragile Beauty exhibition, which featured a remarkable collection of photographs owned by Elton John. This collection included works from some of the most respected photographers in the industry, covering themes of fashion, celebrity, reportage, and the male body. The exhibition provided a unique opportunity for the learners to explore contemporary and modern photography and how it intersects with fashion and society.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;students at albert and victoria museum of fashion and photography&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="361b93ec-843f-4ce6-810c-4f5acb07248b" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The trip was led by Nicola Stent, Samantha Gilraine, and Dan Wheatley, who were all impressed by the students’ engagement and enthusiasm throughout the day. Nicola Stent shared her thoughts on the experience, saying, “It was an absolute joy to witness the learners gather inspiration, capture their own photography during the visit, and develop their creative ideas. The students truly showcased their talent, and it’s clear they are on a path to success. They represented Weston College exceptionally well, and we are excited for the next creative visit.”&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;students at albert and victoria museum of fashion and photography&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7276bd77-9004-4b54-a5b3-06e5f3405535" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>This insightful and exciting visit to the V&amp;A provided a wealth of inspiration for the learners, offering them the chance to explore the intersection of art, fashion, and photography at one of the world’s leading cultural institutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This partnership forms part of the Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>To find out about what A Level subject courses we have to offer, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… click here.</u></a>&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 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.</strong></p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Last month in November, our staff and students came together in a powerful display of solidarity for Movember, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health and prostate cancer. Building on the success of last year’s initiative, our vice principals and student engagement team organised a series of activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>“Move for Movember” Challenge: Aiming for 96,000 Minutes of Exercise</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>As part of the Movember initiative, we launched the "Move for Movember" challenge, encouraging staff to accumulate as many minutes of exercise as possible throughout the month of November. In recognition of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour globally, the challenge aimed to reach a target of 96,000 minutes—160% of last year’s total of 60,000 minutes. Last year, staff members collectively exceeded expectations with 69,610 minutes of exercise recorded across more than 1,000 entries, and this year’s goal was to take that achievement even further.&nbsp;</p><p>Two of Weston College’s Vice Principals committed to exercising for 60 minutes daily throughout the month, as a show of dedication to the cause. In total, staff participated in a variety of activities, ranging from high-intensity workouts to low-impact exercises, such as leisurely dog walks, chair aerobics, and swimming. As part of the challenge, participants were also encouraged to join in at their own pace and find exercise that worked for them, reinforcing the connection between physical activity and mental well-being.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Men’s Talk Club: Offering Safe Spaces for Discussion</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to the physical activity challenge, we introduced Men’s Talk Club taster sessions at its three campuses to further engage students in conversations about mental health. These sessions, facilitated by staff and a member of the External Men’s Talk Club charity, provided a safe, non-judgmental space for male students to discuss their emotions and experiences. The aim was to establish permanent Talk Clubs on campus, offering peer support and creating networks for students facing common stresses and worries.&nbsp;</p><p>These initial sessions provided an introduction to the future Talk Clubs, giving students the opportunity to learn about the supportive networks being created and understand the importance of mental health awareness.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Campus Challenges: Building Community Spirit</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>We also introduced a fun and competitive element to Movember with a series of campus v campus rowing challenges. A rowing machine was placed in the reception area of each campus, with students encouraged to row as many metres as possible for their campus. The challenge sparked excitement and friendly competition among the students, with some pushing themselves to extraordinary distances. The event was a fantastic success, helping students to stay active while supporting a crucial cause.&nbsp;</p><p>" A huge thank you to all the staff who participated in Move for Movember 2024 - we recorded a staggering&nbsp;73,703&nbsp;minutes of exercise across the month," said Ben Knocks, Vice Principal for Student Experience and Support. "This may not have been above our challenging target but is still&nbsp;4,092&nbsp;more minutes&nbsp;than we achieved in 2023. "&nbsp;</p><p>We'd like to extend our&nbsp;heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in Movember activities, from the "Move for Movember" challenge to the rowing competition and Men’s Talk Club taster sessions. The community spirit displayed this month has been exceptional, and we are grateful for everyone’s involvement in helping to raise awareness for men’s mental health.</p><div class="news-content-first et_pb_row node-content news layout-" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);flex:1 1 700px;font-family:&quot;HCo Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:auto;max-width:unset !important;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:57.0781px 0px;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;width:unset !important;word-spacing:0px;"><div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item" style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;display:block;font-size:18px;margin:auto !important;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;width:1192.55px;"><p style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:500 !important;line-height:1.6em;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;width:1192.55px;"><strong style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">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&nbsp;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.</strong></p></div></div>