<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College has welcomed new and returning students for the 2026/27 academic year, with each Career Excellence Hub hosting a range of induction activities designed to help learners settle into college life, meet their peers and staff, and get to know their new learning environment.</p><p>The year began with Welcome Talks led by the College Executive Team. These sessions introduced students to the College’s leadership team and outlined key expectations for the year ahead, alongside important policies and procedures to help learners make a confident start to their studies.</p><p>Across the campuses, faculties also organised a variety of activities combining fun, creativity and practical learning.</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></strong></a> students toured the Puxton Park campus, met the animals, and took part in hands-on team-building activities.</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave…; learners took part in human bingo and a range of icebreakers, while <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… &amp; Design</u></strong></a> students created a collaborative ‘Class of 2027’, using collages and personalised playing cards to showcase their creativity.</p><p>For some learners, induction provided an early opportunity to get hands-on with their future careers. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… &amp; Catering</u></strong></a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… &amp; Beauty</u></strong></a> learners began developing essential kitchen and salon skills, while <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; students completed practical diagnostic activities, becoming familiar with the equipment and techniques they will use throughout their studies.</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</u></strong></a> students explored their campus through a scavenger hunt before taking part in introductory subject sessions. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… &amp; Social Care</u></strong></a> learners worked with interactive simulation dummies during practical assessments and observations, while <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; students got active with team-building and multi-sport challenges.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Arts</u></strong></a> students were introduced to the course through choreography sessions and fun group challenges, including a creative competition to create a wedding dress using toilet paper.</p><p>Learners across <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</u></strong></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… &amp; Animation</u></strong></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… Design</u></strong></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></strong></a> also took part in icebreakers, problem-solving challenges and team activities, helping them build relationships while tackling challenges linked to their chosen subjects.</p><p>These Welcome Days play an important role in helping learners make a positive transition into college. Alongside introducing students to their courses and learning environments, they provide an opportunity to build confidence, develop friendships and start creating a sense of belonging from day one.</p><p>At Weston College, we know that starting a new chapter can feel daunting, so we are committed to creating a welcoming and engaging experience for every learner.</p><p>It has been fantastic to see our new and returning students make such a positive start to the year, and we can’t wait to see everything they go on to achieve throughout 2026/27!</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>

<p>We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our <strong>T Level </strong><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; </strong>learners who have successfully completed their industry placements with <a href="https://www.lloydsbank.com/"><strong>Lloyds Banking Group</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>Eight Business learners and three Digital learners spent the summer on placement, gaining valuable experience within the Bristol hub and at the branch of Lloyds Bank in Weston-super-Mare. Throughout their placements, learners integrated into a variety of teams across the business, working on real-life projects and developing industry-relevant skills.</p><p>Their work has included <strong>supporting data analytics projects,</strong> <strong>contributing to software development and testing</strong>, and <strong>collaborating with colleagues on a range of business initiatives</strong> as well as <strong>customer service roles</strong> within the branch of Lloyds Bank. These hands-on experiences have provided learners with an excellent opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a professional environment.</p><p>Our learners have particularly excelled in developing their professional skills, demonstrating strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities while working alongside experienced colleagues. They have contributed to projects involving customer insight, business planning, process improvement and stakeholder engagement, gaining a deeper understanding of how a major financial organisation operates. Their professionalism, enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges have been praised by placement managers, helping them build confidence and prepare for future careers in the industry.</p><p>Many of the learners will now progress to assessment days, where they will have the opportunity to be considered for future employment and apprenticeship opportunities within Lloyds Banking Group.</p><p>We would like to extend our sincere thanks to <a href="https://www.lloydsbank.com/">Lloyds Banking Group</a> for providing such a fantastic experience and for investing in the development of our learners. We are proud of everything our students have achieved and look forward to seeing future cohorts embark on the same exciting journey with Lloyds.</p><p>Abbie Hannaby, Careers and Employability Co-ordinator, said <em>"Congratulations to all involved on this fantastic achievement. The dedication, resilience and professionalism shown by our learners throughout their placements have been outstanding, and they should be incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished. We look forward to following their future successes as they continue their educational and professional journeys."</em></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This term, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… 3 Computing</u></a> students put their digital and creative skills into practice as part of a Social Media unit, working to a specification and framework provided by <strong>MSI</strong>, the international gaming company known for its high-performance products.</p><p>The partnership between Weston College’s <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… and Digital</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub and MSI provides students with valuable opportunities to engage directly with the gaming and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… </u></a>industries. MSI regularly supports the College by sponsoring Esports competitions and enrichment sessions delivered by members of their team, giving students the chance to learn from industry professionals and gain insight into the skills and expectations needed to succeed in the sector.</p><p>As part of this partnership, MSI donated two <strong>MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless Keyboards</strong>, two <strong>MSI Versa 300 Elite Wireless Mice</strong> and two <strong>MSI Force GC300 Wireless Game Controllers</strong>. The products were used to recognise students’ achievements, rewarding outstanding performance and engagement throughout the unit, as well as providing potential prizes for charity fundraising activities.</p><p>Throughout the unit, students developed a social media campaign, with MSI acting as a stakeholder in the assignment. Students received guidance on the dos and don’ts of professional social media, the requirements for effective presentations and how to collaborate successfully with content creators. This provided a valuable opportunity to apply their learning to a realistic industry brief while receiving feedback and insight from an established organisation within the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… </u></a>sector.</p><p>Three <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… 3 Computing</u></a> students were recognised for their achievements. Ahmed was awarded an MSI controller for his exceptional hard work and performance throughout the unit. Joe received an MSI controller after achieving the highest levels of engagement, with one of his videos promoting the <strong>Esports Academy</strong> gaining more than 10,000 views. Harvey was awarded the grand prize of an MSI keyboard for producing the most creative and well-edited post, successfully incorporating promotional content for both MSI and Weston Esports Academy.</p><p>Opportunities such as this allow students to move beyond the classroom and experience the realities of working on a professional brief. By responding to the expectations of an international organisation, students develop not only their technical and creative abilities, but also key employability skills such as communication, collaboration, time management, problem-solving and responding to feedback.</p><p>Working directly with industry professionals also helps students build confidence in their abilities and understand how the skills they are developing can translate into future careers. Experiences like this enable learners to begin building professional networks, strengthen their portfolios and gain a better understanding of industry expectations, giving them a valuable advantage as they progress into further study, apprenticeships or employment within the digital sector.</p><p>A huge thank you to MSI for supporting our learners and facilitating their personal and professional progression with these high-value products.</p><p>This collaboration forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; 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>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/computing-and-digital-technolo… and Digital</u></a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> 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. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a></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>