<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This week, former Weston College student Charlotte Nottage returned to give a guest lecture to the current </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">Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners with her journey and insights into the available career paths made possible by their studies. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Charlotte also completed a </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">Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> at Weston College before progressing to University Centre Weston (UCW), accredited by UWE,&nbsp;to study a Foundation degree in Biological Laboratory Science. She is now completing a top up year at UWE to gain her&nbsp;BSc degree and has recently been accepted onto a master's program in Applied Transfusion and Transplantation Science at UWE, where she will work with leading specialists at the NHS Blood and Transplant headquarters in Filton.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">During her guest lecture, Charlotte shared how the Health and Social Care course at college provided her with both classroom and real-world experience, opening her eyes to laboratory sciences which she may not have previously discovered. It allowed her to progress to university to continue her studies, providing her with many exciting opportunities and career pathways including biological and biomedical research, environmental sciences, and food sciences. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">To give the learners a better understanding of her university course, she outlined the modules and subjects that she has studied, including current modules such as medical microbiology, neuroscience, and developmental science, to create&nbsp;a clear picture of what the course entails.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Charlotte also emphasized the critical role of internships and work experience in building her career. Not only did she complete industry placements at college, but she also went above and beyond during her degree by completing a summer internship at Thatchers, where she explored the chemistry behind cider production. According to Charlotte, not only did this experience enhance her lab skills but it also provided her with fantastic transferable skills that could be applied to practical scenarios.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The session was interactive and engaging, with Charlotte asking questions, offering tips, and providing guidance that she wished she had received as a student. Her advice made a more meaningful impact because she had been in the learners’ position not long ago.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Samantha Kier, our Health and Social Care Lab Technician, reflected on the impact of the session, saying “Charlotte gave the learners lots of tips to get the most out of their BTEC qualification which I think was really useful, and it was really valuable for the learners to see how diverse the future career paths open to them are.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Thank you to Charlotte for visiting our learners and giving them an idea of what their future could look like whilst broadening their understanding of potential careers.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><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">If you are interested in applying to a Health and Social Care course, click here.</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Students from various subjects, including </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">Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; target="_blank">Sport and Fitness</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d…; target="_blank">Art and Design</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">, and </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; target="_blank">Music</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">,&nbsp;came together to host a memorable Christmas Fair this holiday season, raising funds for Weston Hospice Care. With festive games, delicious treats, and heart-warming activities, the event brought together the public, students, and staff for a day filled with joy, fun, and community spirit.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This event was publicised to local charities, hospices and care homes to bring them together this Christmas and get them in the festive spirit. All our games and activities were made to be accessible and inclusive so some of our guests gave our Christmas games a go and won a handful of chocolates.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The learners played a significant role in making the Christmas fair a success. The day featured free festive games for both the staff and the visitors, including&nbsp;throwing 'snowballs’ at reindeer cups, magnetic darts, Christmas bingo, and hoop toss onto reindeer antlers. Guests also enjoyed arts and crafts sessions with pipe cleaners, pompoms, wreath kits, and colouring activities, alongside unique handmade ornaments created by Art and Design learners.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Resident throwing a snowball at reindeer cups&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16e3fc70-d10c-4d15-9be7-2f95dfa60808" 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-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The event offered something for everyone: a lively ‘Strictly Just Dance’ session judged by students, yoga, accessible walking football, and running football. The tombola and raffle raised money with its abundance of prizes, while the Craft Café served tea, coffee, cakes, and savoury bites. Guests could also get tinselled hair and enjoy live performances by Music students, set to a soundtrack of classic Christmas tunes.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;3 learners with raffle prizes selling raffle tickets&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c9db52e2-c1ba-4adc-832d-f785af5b0197" 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-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students and residents playing Christmas Bingo&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1f948fbf-a6a6-4ee0-a581-9b9c99ecc027" 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;Music learner singing and playing the guitar to an audience&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17110a45-e6fa-4566-abdf-b6dc8c47fa3c" 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-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The Christmas Fair was dedicated to raising funds for Weston Hospice Care, with proceeds from raffles, the tombola, handmade ornaments, and donations supporting the hospice’s vital work. Residents and staff from Weston Hospice Care, Acer House, Orchard House, and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston attended, adding to the festive atmosphere. Special guests included the Mayor of Weston-Super-Mare and, of course, Santa Claus himself.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">One of our guests, Laura, said, “it was a very enjoyable morning. My favourite part of the day was the young man playing the guitar.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The entire event was made even more festive as students and staff wore Christmas jumpers and accessories, creating a cheerful and welcoming environment. Learners enthusiastically led activities and engaged with visitors, ensuring smiles and laughter filled the day. It was a celebration of togetherness and a wonderful way to support a meaningful cause during the holiday season.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Learners with Christmas photo props&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="31565b3d-8e40-4da6-b6b8-38c3b171328b" 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-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Fair and celebrated the festive season with us, and thank you to our learners for stepping up and helping with the event.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">If you are interested in applying to one of our </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">Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; target="_blank">Sport and Fitness</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d…; target="_blank">Art and Design</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">, or </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; target="_blank">Music</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> courses next September, click here.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Last month, three learners from our Into-Work and Welding programs achieved exceptional results at the National Finals of the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. This event was held in Manchester and tested students’ problem-solving, employability, and creativity skills, and our learners rose to the occasion with remarkable performances.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Amber Hinton, a second-year </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; target="_blank">Into-Work</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> student with aspirations in childcare, competed in the Foundation Health and Social Care category. Despite being self-taught in this field, Amber’s performance was extraordinary. Competing against Level 2 students, she demonstrated NHS-standard handwashing techniques and tackled complex questions with confidence. Amber’s efforts earned her a well-deserved Bronze medal and 3rd place overall in her category—a testament to her determination and talent.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Amber outside the WorldSkills building in Manchester&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18419677-5ca3-4341-b2e8-8c6503b38551" 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 style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Amber said, “my favourite part of the competition was meeting new people as I got to make friends with people in my category. I would do it all again 1000 times over and I feel like everyone should go through and experience it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Jack Stevens, an </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; target="_blank">Into-Work</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learner who transitioned from an internship to paid work at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity, competed in the Foundation Horticulture category. Tasked with creating six planters—three indoor and three outdoor—and merchandising his display with a seasonal garden centre theme, Jack showcased incredible creativity and precision, earning a fantastic 4th place within his category.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Jack with his final Horticulture products&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61fb6a0e-7d84-409e-be3f-fff54ce81e48" 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;Jack holding his 4th place certificate&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bca0a75b-022f-4520-b7e7-c7ae4995e77e" 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>Aidan Pocknell, a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice, faced intense competition in a challenging category that tested both his skill and his composure under pressure. His impeccable welds and strong work ethic earned him a Highly Commended award, highlighting his dedication and craftsmanship.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Aidan welding with a mask on&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3ad28170-99aa-48ca-b3a7-416c4565bfee" 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;Aidan holding his Highly Commended award shaking someone&apos;s hand&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01e60958-0c3e-4e11-9fca-2fde71c82741" 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>Aidan said, “it went very well! I was awarded Highly Commended and placed 6th out of 10 participants. I’m very happy with how I performed overall! There were a few moments where I felt overwhelmed during the competition, but I overcame them. In the end it was all worth it and it was a great experience that I would encourage anyone to participate in if they get the chance.”</p><p>These achievements demonstrate the impact of the Into-Work and Welding programs. From providing the skills necessary to excel in competitive environments to inspiring personal growth, these programs are empowering learners to reach their full potential.</p><p>For Jack and Amber, the experience was even more remarkable as it marked their first visit to a major city, making their accomplishments at the WorldSkills Finals a milestone in their educational and personal journeys.</p><p>Congratulations to Amber, Jack, and Aidan for their outstanding achievements. Their success is a shining example of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and support come together.&nbsp;</p>