<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 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> learners had the incredible opportunity to visit the <strong>British Airways Global Learning Academy</strong> at Heathrow, gaining a real insight into world-class aviation training.</p><p>During the visit, learners took part in a range of hands-on, industry-standard simulations including pilot incapacitation scenarios, an A320 emergency slide descent, life raft practical training, emergency landing procedures, a smoke chamber and fire exercise, and a full cabin evacuation followed by a professional debrief.</p><p>The experience was delivered by highly experienced trainers with a combined 60 years of flying experience, including individuals who had flown for both British Airways and Emirates. Their depth of knowledge and real-world insight brought the training to life, giving learners a true understanding of safety, teamwork and professionalism within the aviation sector.</p><p>Learners were also able to observe British Airways cabin crew training in action, seeing both new entrants completing their assessments and experienced crew undertaking refresher training. They had the opportunity to take part in a Q&amp;A session, gaining valuable advice on the role, recruitment processes and interview techniques. This added further depth to the experience and highlighted the wide range of career pathways available, making it an extremely valuable and inspiring opportunity for Travel and Tourism learners.</p><p>Hannah Forrest, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> Co-ordinator who attended the trip, said:</p><p>"This is the third year we have run this trip, and it continues to be a standout experience for our learners. It gives them the opportunity to take part in practical activities linked to cabin crew training, allowing them to experience first-hand some of the key safety drills and procedures they would complete in a real training environment.</p><p>The British Airways staff provide an outstanding insight not only into careers with BA, but also into the wider aviation industry. They explore the different types of aircraft used across airlines and explain how training requirements can vary between operators, giving learners a broader and more realistic understanding of the sector.</p><p>Whether learners progress directly into aviation or choose a different career path, the qualification they gain is highly valuable. Its strong focus on health and safety makes it relevant across many industries and enhances their employability. This trip remains a real highlight of the course and a memorable part of their learning journey."</p><p>A huge thank you to British Airways for providing our students with an unforgettable experience!</p><p>This curriculum trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</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.&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 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College and Bristol Airport are proud to announce that 16 students from its Travel and Tourism Level 3 course have successfully secured employment at the Airport with easyJet, Jet2 and Swissport, marking an exciting milestone in their early careers</p><p>Bristol Airport have partnered with Weston College for a number of years offering students visits to the Airport to provide a hands-on approach and to raise awareness of careers in aviation, as well as inspiring the next generation. These visits provide exciting learning opportunities for students and allows them to a gain a behind-the-scenes tour on how the airport operates.</p><p>The students, who recently completed their studies, have moved straight into roles and have started their working careers at the largest airport in the South West and Wales. Their success highlights both the individual dedication and the strength of Weston College’s commitment to prepare learners for real world opportunities.</p><p>The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism is a vocational qualification equivalent to three A-Levels, designed for students who want a broad understanding of the global Travel and Tourism industry. The course helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours valued by employers and higher education providers.</p><p>Students study a wide range of units to reflect the diversity of the industry and to keep progression routes open. Key areas include global destinations, passenger transport, customer service, accommodation, business enterprise, airports and airline operations, marketing, events management and cruise tourism.</p><p><strong>Hannah Forrest, Course Co-Ordinator in Travel and Tourism at Weston College, said:</strong></p><p>“We have developed a strong and ongoing partnership with Bristol Airport, providing learners with valuable industry insight through organised visits, tours and taught sessions. These</p><p>experiences are crucial for our learners to allow to allow them to explore real working environments, understand operational roles, and engage directly with professionals at Bristol Airport.</p><p>As a direct result of this work, and the exposure gained through tours and classroom activities linked to Bristol Airport, 16 learners have successfully secured employment starting in Summer 2026. I am sure this number will continue to rise as near the end of the completion of their courses. These roles include positions in customer service, ramp operations, and opportunities with major organisations such as Jet2, Swissport and EasyJet, demonstrating the clear progression from classroom learning into meaningful employment within the travel and tourism sector.”</p><p><strong>One of the students, Chloe White, shared their experience:</strong></p><p>“I found the trip to Bristol Airport really interesting, it was good to see the different areas of the Airport. This helped me learn about the different roles at Bristol Airport and we were able to ask staff questions about their jobs. This helped me understand more about what it would be like to actually work there.</p><p>“After this trip through my course at college, I had the opportunity to interview for a job with Swissport to work at Bristol Airport. This was a massive opportunity as it was my first ever interview. The interview went well, and I was offered the job. I am looking forward to starting at Bristol Airport soon.”</p><p><strong>Harry Ellis, Corporate Affairs &amp; Community Engagement Executive at Bristol Airport, said:</strong></p><p>“We’re proud to have worked closely with Weston College for a number of years to inspire and develop future aviation talent through meaningful, real-world experiences and visits at the airport. Supporting initiatives like this is vital in helping young, local people understand the wide range of exciting careers available in aviation and ultimately securing a job. We look forward to welcoming many more students in the years ahead.”</p>