<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">In the past few weeks, our Level 1 Education and Early Years students have successfully and independently planned and delivered a free Stay-and-Play event at Ashcombe Children’s Centre - an exciting milestone in their Sentipensante project.&nbsp;</p><p>Held on Wednesday 18th June, the event welcomed families and carers with children aged 0–5 to participate in two sessions, from 10–11:30am and 1–2:30pm. The project’s goal was to create a community-based experience that allowed learners to bring the curriculum to life, especially through English and Maths skills, while offering a welcoming, play-based environment for young children and their families.&nbsp;</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/508828576_1145361490729484_9025247533046932445_n.jpg" data-align="center" data-entity-uuid="1e7724c0-c09a-431d-ad08-1d6012487e98" data-entity-type="file" alt="early years students smiling in picture at ashcombe children&apos;s centre" width="1017" height="468"><p>“This was a brilliant opportunity for learners to put their skills into action and gain real experience working with children and families,” said Lucy Drew, Head of Education and Early Years. “The event sold out just hours after tickets went live, showing just how much the local community values these kinds of activities.”&nbsp;</p><p>Students took full ownership of the project from start to finish. They designed and published posters and social media posts, carefully choosing language, layout, and colour schemes to attract attention. Using their maths knowledge, they worked within a budget to buy refreshments, toys, and materials for activities. They also developed a registration process, applying critical thinking to collect attendee information while managing capacity limits.&nbsp;</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/508742426_1145361517396148_2721752895109836566_n.jpg" data-align="center" data-entity-uuid="a31a4b6b-2cdf-400e-a530-56096e47a3c7" data-entity-type="file" alt="box with bubbles" width="1440" height="1088"><p>The learners divided into two groups to host both morning and afternoon sessions. Each session provided opportunities for children to play and learn alongside their parents or carers, with activities designed to encourage early development in a fun, supportive setting.&nbsp;</p><p>The Stay and Play event not only demonstrated the learners’ dedication and growth but also showed strong collaboration across departments, with English and Maths staff helping to embed core skills throughout the planning process. It also deepened the college’s partnership with Ashcombe Children’s Centre, setting the stage for hopeful future joint projects.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… to become a part of our Early Years and Education stay and play projects, as well as learn about the dynamic early years sector? Browse our courses here.</a></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><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 []">Weston College is working with Ashcombe Children's Centre to create a Stay and Play for the community, where <strong>everything is completely FREE!</strong></p><p>This exciting event will take place on <strong>Wednesday 18th June at Ashcombe Children's Centre</strong> with two sessions available:&nbsp;</p><p>Morning session: 9am – 10:30am&nbsp;</p><p>Afternoon session: 1pm – 2:30pm&nbsp;</p><p>Our stay and play allows for <strong>parents and carers to stay and play alongside their children</strong> in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Enjoy a morning of hands-on activities, creative play, and community interaction, all designed to support early development and learning.</p><p>Our Early Years and Education students will be there too - leading activities, playing with children, and helping set up a fun-filled space for you and your little ones.</p><p>There will be a wide range of fun and stimulating activities designed to support children’s learning and development. These include:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted">Messy play with sand, water, and mud&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted">A painting station where children can explore colours and their senses&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted">A quiet sensory area for those who prefer a calmer space&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted">A circle time mat where an adult will read stories and use counting blocks to help prepare children for school &nbsp;</li></ul><p>All activities have been designed to support your child’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and overall early development, while encouraging creativity, confidence, and social interaction.&nbsp;</p><p>To keep everyone refreshed, <strong data-start="1226" data-end="1254">free drinks and biscuits</strong> will be available during both sessions.</p><p>A select group of Weston College’s Early Years and Education students have planned this event themselves as part of their course, using their knowledge and creativity to design a fun and inclusive experience for local families.&nbsp;</p><p>Spaces are limited, so if you’re interested in attending, please make sure to secure your slot in advance. &nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=FgfhBifCK0qqQ-seKHr… book a place, click here.&nbsp;</a></p><p>Everyone is welcome – we can’t wait to see you there!&nbsp;</p><p>If you have any questions prior to the event, don't hesitate to contact Lucy on <a href="mailto: lucy.drew@weston.ac.uk">lucy.drew@weston.ac.uk</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 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 style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This year’s Raising and Giving Week (<strong>RAG Week</strong>) at Weston College was a great example of collaboration across all subject areas. With the theme of ‘Flower Power’, the college came together to raise money for two incredible local charities: <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and <strong>The Grand Appeal</strong>. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> offers vital palliative care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and provides essential emotional support for their families. <strong>The Grand Appeal </strong>supports Bristol Children’s Hospital, helping to deliver life-saving care for sick children and their loved ones. The funds raised throughout RAG Week were split evenly between these two amazing charities. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Throughout the week, students and staff took part in a wide variety of fundraising events, ranging from raffles and bake sales, to more active sessions such as sponsored walks, races and football matches. This week takes place every year across the country and is a fantastic way for all students to get involved and take part in fun activities before exam season begins. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Outside of the activities, many people took the flower power theme seriously, with departments such as </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Health and Social Care</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> and </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Performing Arts</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> dressed up in bright colours and 70s-style clothes. Not only this, the reception team and some support staff created a ‘Westonbury Festival’ theme, wearing some amazing flower power outfits which ended up winning them best dressed! &nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Support staff wearing flower power-themed outfits&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32f7f0cc-ce9c-4f7a-bdff-ab15e794d087" 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:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Another popular RAG Week tradition is a college-wide raffle which featured a range of popular prizes, including day passes and tickets to local attractions such as spas, cinemas, and activity centres. Many departments also organised bake sales across each campus as these are always popular and delicious. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Across the week, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Protective Services</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> hosted two major events: a flower-themed two-hour Zumbathon open to all, and a five-hour stretcher relay along the seafront, covering 26 miles. These activities were a great way for students to have fun with friends as well as enjoy some exercise for two amazing causes. &nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students dancing at a 2-hour zumbathon event&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="edbc41cd-fd11-40b0-8e0b-ddcc9ef9dd8c" 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:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Other departments also got involved, with </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Early Years</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> students running a Craft and Wellbeing morning, offering slime-making and loom band activities, while ESOL students provided lanyard name cards written in various languages. </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Media</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> students hosted a pyjama and movie marathon afternoon, and </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">FIP</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> students got involved by running “tutor torture” activities, getting the chance to pie their lecturers in the face.  &nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;ESOL students writing names in their language&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b12f7dc-d5ce-443d-9600-632e73274474" 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:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Our </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Digital</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> students hosted Esports tournaments in games such as Fortnite, Overwatch, Valorant, and Marvel Rivals. They also raffled a high-end gaming monitor generously donated by MSI UK where they raised an amazing £555 from this raffle alone. &nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Esports students playing in tournaments&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce7b9e90-c172-4146-bc19-46da721d0064" 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:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">On top of this, </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="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Construction</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> students contributed by building eight wooden benches. Five were donated to care homes, where students also spent time chatting with residents and sharing biscuits. The remaining three were sold in a silent auction for staff. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sports-related fundraising included football matches and gym challenges, and the </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Motor Vehicle</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> department added some competition with a Gran Turismo racing challenge using their driving rig, where participants completed a sighting lap and a timed lap. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Overall, the week brought together students and staff from every campus of the college, with each subject area contributing in its own way, helping to create a fun, inclusive, and impactful week. In total, RAG Week raised £5112 for <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and <strong>The Grand Appeal</strong>. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Thank you to everyone who helped organise, get involved, or donate. This support made the week possible and allowed us to raise the amount we did! &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;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 </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="color:#37797B;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>&nbsp;</span></p>