<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">From returning to education later in life to building a successful self-employed career, Florence’s journey shows how determination and the right support can shape a fulfilling future. Now working at Blond Salon, she has turned her passion into a flexible and rewarding career.&nbsp;</p><p>Florence first studied Level 2 Hairdressing at 14, before returning at 27 to complete her Level 3 qualification. Experiencing college as both a teenager and an adult gave her a new perspective. “I’m a firm believer that you get out what you put in,” she says. “This time, I made sure I took every opportunity and really focused on my work.”&nbsp;</p><p>A key part of her learning came from working with real clients in salon sessions. “Being able to practise on actual clients was the best way for me to learn and build confidence,” she explains. Florence also credits her tutor, Nicola Smith, for creating a supportive environment and encouraging her to push herself further. “She never made us feel silly if we didn’t know something, and she’s the reason I entered competitions when I didn’t believe in myself.”&nbsp;</p><p>Those competitions became an unexpected highlight. “I never thought I’d do something like that, but it really helped me grow in confidence, and winning was a huge boost.”&nbsp;</p><p>With a clear goal to become self-employed, Florence approached her studies with purpose. After completing her course, she left her retail job to work in a salon while building her own client base. Today, she enjoys a career that fits around her life. “I genuinely enjoy going to work. I get to spend my days with amazing clients and still have that balance with my family.”&nbsp;</p><p>Florence believes the industry is full of opportunities and encourages others to stay open-minded. “Say yes to opportunities, even if they don’t seem relevant at the time. The people you meet and the experience you gain will always help you in the future.”&nbsp;</p><p>Her advice to aspiring stylists is to think about their goals and find the right environment to grow. “Find a salon that matches your values and will help you learn. If it’s not helping you grow, don’t be afraid to move on.”&nbsp;</p><p>Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “I’d tell my younger self to take more risks and not worry about other people. College is such a short time, so make the most of it.”&nbsp;</p><p>For anyone considering the course, Florence sees it as the perfect starting point. “College gives you the foundation - but in this industry, you should never stop learning.”&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If you're interested in finding out more about our Hair and Barbering courses, click <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-…;

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Earlier this month, a wide range of students took a trip to <strong>New York City</strong> to visit the iconic tourist attractions and experience the sights of one of the most famous cities in the world. This trip was largely funded by the <strong>Turing Scheme</strong> and allowed students from <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Media Makeup</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> to explore New York for two weeks for an affordable rate.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Group photo in front of the statue of liberty&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5add5d7e-3290-47e1-ba68-43a441be72a8" 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>The Turing Scheme is the UK’s global programme for studying and working abroad, enabling students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to gain the confidence, skills, and international experience that employers value. Weston College has been fortunate enough to secure over £216,000 in Turing Scheme funding to transform student experience and create unforgettable memories.</p><p>During the trip, our students visited iconic tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden, Central Park, and Times Square, exploring the areas and enjoying the sights that the city offered.</p><p>On top of this, some students took part in workshops such as a Broadway Dance Centre class and a Stage Combat workshop, as well as others using their free time to attend a football match, Broadway shows such as Six the Musical, The Great Gatsby, and Death Becomes Her. They even received backstage tours of Radio City Music Hall and experienced the harrowing 9/11 Memorial Museum which had a last impact on the students.</p><p>Outside of the activities and sights, students had lots of free time for shopping and trying new foods, with corndogs being a new favourite. Not only this, they also saw many celebrities entering the Devil Wears Parada 2 Premier, and even met Daniel Radcliffe after his show and took a selfie with him, a definite highlight of the trip!</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;2 students taking a selfie with Daniel Radcliffe&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aad53a38-2ddc-43ed-a930-421aabfb1c91" 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>Students adapted well to New York and quickly became used to the fast-paced atmosphere, navigating their way around, and the general feel of such a huge city. They faced some challenges through the trip, however everyone showed fantastic resilience, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as developing their independence, confidence, and trust in themselves and others.</p><p>This trip created unforgettable memories accessible to everyone, as well as introduced students to their peers across different curriculum areas, building lasting friendships with people they may not have had the opportunity to meet.</p><p>Joe Miller, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a> lecturer at Weston College and supervisor of the trip, added, “This trip was a fantastic opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in a vibrant city with many different cultures. The group were such a pleasure to travel with, they were appreciative, mature, and happy to try new things, and they really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones. It was great to see every learner grow across the two weeks and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the staff who accompanied me on this trip, your support was invaluable and made the experience far more seamless and enjoyable!”</p><p>As a college, we’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Turing Scheme for making this experience possible and enabling our students to go on fantastic trips like this to enrich their future careers.</p><p>Thank you to Joe Miller, Lucy Cruse, Heather Boucher, and Hannah Prior for supervising the students on this trip and ensuring they made lasting memories!</p><p>This trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Media Makeup</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> Careers Excellence Hubs. 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.&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 </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 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, Weston College proudly hosted the <strong>Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT)</strong> South West Regional Competition at the Winter Gardens, welcoming talented students from across the South West and Wales. The event provided an exciting platform for aspiring professionals to showcase their skills, creativity, and technical expertise in a competitive, real-world environment.</p><p>Our FE <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Barbering</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut… Therapy</a>, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Prosthetics</a> students, alongside <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/makeup-wigs-and-special-effects-ba-hons/"… HE Makeup, Wigs and Special Effects BA (Hons)</a> students, took part in a wide range of categories. From body painting, theatrical ageing, and face painting to cut and blow-dries, facials, and hairstyling, the competition challenged students to apply their practical knowledge under time pressure while maintaining high professional standards.</p><p>We are delighted that 14 of our students have progressed to the <strong>AHT National Finals</strong> in Blackpool on 11th May, where they will compete against top students from across the UK.</p><p>Taking part in competitions like this plays a vital role in our students’ development. Working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment helps to build confidence, resilience, and adaptability which are essential qualities for careers in the hair and beauty industry, where working with clients often requires quick thinking and professionalism.</p><p>The experience also enables students to refine their technical skills and push their creative boundaries. Constructive feedback from industry professionals gives them valuable insight into current standards and expectations, helping them to elevate their work and continue improving.</p><p>In addition, the competition provides invaluable networking opportunities. Students are able to connect with peers who share similar ambitions, as well as industry experts, allowing them to exchange ideas, gain inspiration, and build relationships that may support their future careers.</p><p>Competing in a respected event such as the AHT also strengthens students’ professional portfolios. It demonstrates their ability to perform at a high level in a competitive setting and provides credible, industry-recognised experience that will stand out to future employers.</p><p>It was also great to see former <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut… Therapy</a> student and training <strong>WorldSkills</strong> judge, Maddie Hulbert, on the judging panel. Her fantastic progression and achievements act as a role model for our students, showing them what can be achieved with hard work and perseverance.</p><p>Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, “Seeing our students apply their classroom knowledge to a professional competition and do so calmly and maturely was fantastic to see. It reflects how far they have come since they began their course, and I am so proud to see what they have achieved. I would also like to say a huge thank you to the FE and HE Hair, Beauty, and Media Makeup team who have worked tirelessly with our students. These fantastic results are also a reflection of the hard work you’ve committed to our students.”</p><p>A huge thank you to <strong>VTCT</strong> and the judges for their time, expertise and invaluable feedback that will inevitably elevate the learner experience.</p><p>We wish all of our finalists the best of luck as they prepare to represent Weston College on a national stage in Blackpool.</p><p>This competition forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut…; 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.&nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/performance-and-production-art…, Makeup and Special Effects</a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</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/">Click here!</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><p>&nbsp;</p>