<p>Last month, Year 12 students from our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Form</a>’s Biomedical Pathway achieved outstanding success in the prestigious British Biology Olympiad (BBO), an international competition designed to challenge and inspire post-16 students with a passion for biology.</p><p>This year’s BBO saw a total of 18,533 students from 1,053 schools across the world take part. Within them were 23 hard-working Year 12 students from Weston College, who competed as part of their enrichment within the Biomedical pathway. Despite only having studied approximately one-third of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Level</a> Biology course so far, these students showcased exceptional talent and resilience.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Group of biology students holding their certificates&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6adec26e-649d-4296-8ac2-d75bc3cbfcb5" 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>&nbsp;</p><p>One standout achievement came from Olivia Hayes, who earned a silver medal, placing her in the top 15% of all participants worldwide. Two other students were awarded bronze medals, ranking them in the top 25%, while four others received ‘Highly Commended’ recognition, placing them in the top 45%. A further six students earned ‘Commended’ certificates for their strong performances.</p><p>The British Biology Olympiad consists of two 45-minute online multiple-choice papers, taken under supervised exam conditions. Students are required to engage with unfamiliar topics, using their prior knowledge and problem-solving abilities to navigate complex biological concepts and scenarios.</p><p>This competition not only challenges students academically, but it also offers valuable recognition through publicly awarded certificates. All participants also gain one year of BioNet membership with the Royal Society of Biology, offering continued opportunities for growth and engagement in the field.</p><p>A huge congratulations to all students who took part in this year's competition. Their efforts and achievements reflect the hard work of our Biomedical Pathway students.</p><p>This competition forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Form</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.</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 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 style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A group of Year 2 </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">BTEC Civil Engineering</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners recently visited <strong>Beard Construction Ltd</strong>’s site at the <strong>Bristol Zoo Project</strong> in North Bristol. The visit was part of the national <strong>“Open Doors” initiative</strong>, organised by <strong>Build UK</strong>, which offers students and members of the public a chance to explore live construction sites and discover the diverse career opportunities within the industry. The event was arranged by Bev Parfitt, the Social Value Co-Ordinator at <strong>Beard Construction</strong>.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit began with a Health and Safety briefing at the site offices, followed by an overview of the £9.2 million project, delivered by Beard’s site management team. The project involves the construction of a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project, which will bring together critically endangered Western lowland gorillas and endangered cherry-crowned mangabeys for the first time in a UK zoo.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Learners were then taken on a guided tour of the site, where they observed key stages of the construction process. Highlights included the installation of pre-cast concrete retaining walls, steel frame installation, and roof construction. The group also took note of the foundation construction methods as these closely aligned with topics currently being covered in their coursework.</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;A learner being shown the levelling of concrete walls&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fe02ed4-334c-4448-a1fd-eab1dc3ae4eb" 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 style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Students also witnessed the lifting and placement of a concrete unit, learning how these elements are installed with precision to ensure they meet the required tolerances and remain level. This gave them valuable insight into the practical application of engineering principles.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The students also loved seeing some of the zoo’s animals, including red pandas and giraffes, observing the construction activity.</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;A red panda poking through trees&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c1cdb4a-d784-4c8b-829f-ababf80c5fa4" 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>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;A giraffe poking between 2 trees&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2fb41cfa-045e-49a2-bc53-0aa21d8fffc2" 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 style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The project is expected to be completed by late summer 2025 and handed over to the client. Daniel Comerford, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Construction</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “The learners and staff found the visit very interesting and exciting. It was inspiring to see such a complex construction project being carried out to such a high standard. It was also a great opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world construction practice.”</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A big thank you to the <strong>Beard Construction</strong> site team for their time and insight. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and provide learners with more hands-on experiences in the construction industry.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">If you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses, click here.</span></a></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><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&nbsp;</strong></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>. 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></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Last month, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A Level</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> Law students from Weston College </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sixth Form</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> took part in an educational visit to Bristol Crown Court, offering them a unique and immersive experience into the workings of the legal system.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The day began with a Q&amp;A session with a judge, where students were able to ask questions about the judge’s career, their experiences within the legal system, and the responsibilities of their role. This honest discussion gave students valuable professional insight into how decisions are made in court and the realities of working in the legal field.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">After the session, students spent time in the public galleries, observing a range of live cases. This allowed them to see courtroom procedures in action, including various types of legal arguments and interactions between legal professionals. It brought to life the theory they’ve studied in class, offering a deeper understanding of criminal law and the judicial process.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit provided students with an opportunity to apply their academic learning to a real-world scenario. Seeing the justice system firsthand gave them a more comprehensive view of courtroom dynamics and helped to solidify their understanding of how a trial unfolds from start to finish. It also highlighted the structure and complexity of Crown Court proceedings that can’t be taught in a classroom.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This experience was not only educational but also extremely insightful, giving students greater clarity about potential future careers in law and the potential pathways available to them.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This curriculum trip etc forms part of the </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sixth Form</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> 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.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><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&nbsp;</strong></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>. 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></span></p>