Last week, our Travel and Tourism learners had the incredible opportunity to visit the British Airways Global Learning Academy at Heathrow, gaining a real insight into world-class aviation training.

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.

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.

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&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.

Hannah Forrest, Travel and Tourism Co-ordinator who attended the trip, said:

"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.

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.

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."

A huge thank you to British Airways for providing our students with an unforgettable experience!

This curriculum trip forms part of the Travel and Tourism 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. 

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.

Earlier this month, our Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, and Media Makeup and Prosthetics students, alongside learners from the UCW BA(Hons) Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Production degree, competed in the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) National Final in Blackpool after successfully progressing from the South West Regional competition.

The national event gave students the opportunity to showcase their talents against learners from across the country, applying their skills across a wide range of treatments, styles, and creative disciplines.

Students competed in a variety of categories, from classic blow-dries and intricate hairstyling themes to body painting, makeovers, and nail art. Each category challenged competitors to combine creativity, technical precision, and professionalism to produce high-quality work under pressure.

Following outstanding performances in the regional heats, several students advanced to the national final and achieved impressive results:

• Elora, a Level 3 Theatrical, Special Effects, Prosthetics and Make-up Extended Diploma learner, achieved 1st place in TV and Film Character Makeup.
• Yana, a UCW BA(Hons) Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Production student, achieved 1st place for her Banksy-inspired half body painting, as well as 3rd place in both Butterfly Body Paint and Magazine Front Cover Makeup.
• Aimee, a Level 2 Beauty Therapy learner, secured 2nd place in Nails.
• Janis, a Level 3 Hairdressing Adult learner, achieved 2nd place for her 1960s-inspired evening hairstyle.

These fantastic results reflect not only the students’ talent and dedication, but also the hard work and preparation that went into the competition. Taking part in events like this helps students build confidence, develop resilience and adaptability, and gain valuable networking opportunities – all essential skills for working successfully with clients in the industry.

Competitions like this allow our learners to identify their strengths while receiving constructive feedback and guidance from industry professionals and peers. Experiences like these encourage students to explore new techniques, styles, and creative approaches that will help them stand out in their future careers.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, said:

“Our students have excelled throughout this competition, applying their classroom knowledge to exciting new categories while stepping outside their comfort zones and thinking creatively. Opportunities like this give our students the confidence to experiment, develop their own style, and prepare for the challenges and unique requests they may face when working with clients in their future careers.

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to all of my colleagues in the Hair and Beauty team. These results wouldn’t have been possible without your continued support and encouragement.”

Congratulations to all our learners who competed in the finals, these achievements are a reflection of your talent, creativity, and hard work!

This competition forms part of the Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy 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. 

Progress to the next level in Hair and Makeup! At University Centre Weston (UCW) 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. Click here!

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.

Earlier this month, our Electrical Installation Apprentice, Gracie Donaghy, was named joint winner of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026 Award alongside another apprentice Petra O’Flaherty. Competing against more than 3,000 apprentices from across the UK and Ireland, Gracie successfully progressed through several challenging stages before being crowned one of just two winners.

The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026 Award is an annual competition celebrating the most promising new talent within the trade industry across the UK and Ireland. The competition encourages apprentices to push themselves beyond their comfort zones, showcase their skills, and stand out among some of the industry’s brightest emerging professionals.

Throughout the application process, Gracie completed a series of written submissions, interviews, and practical workshops with major brands including DeWalt, Google, and Lego. She then advanced to the final stage, where she faced an interview panel made up of six industry specialists. Impressing the judges with her extensive knowledge, professionalism, and hands-on experience within the trade, Gracie secured the title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026. Alongside this prestigious achievement, she received a prize package worth £10,000, including tools, training, and technology, as well as £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers for Weston College.

This latest success adds to an already impressive list of achievements for Gracie, who was also named SPARKS Female Skills Winner 2025. These accomplishments are a reflection of her dedication, precision, and strong work ethic. Taking part in competitions has also enabled her to network with employers, receive valuable feedback, and further develop her practical skills and industry knowledge. Competing alongside other talented apprentices has broadened her perspective and introduced her to new approaches within the trade, helping her continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Gracie Donaghy said:

“Winning this prestigious award is such a huge honour, and I am incredibly grateful to the team at Screwfix for giving me this opportunity. Earning the title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice, alongside the fantastic prizes, will massively benefit my career going forward, not only throughout the remainder of my apprenticeship, but also in my future career. It has also shown me that all my hard work is paying off.”

“I have always felt supported and encouraged throughout my time at Weston College to produce my best work. My lecturers have consistently motivated me to enter competitions to help build my confidence and allow me to recognise both my strengths and the areas where I can continue to improve. Without their ongoing support and encouragement, I would never have realised what I was capable of achieving.”

“I would encourage any apprentice considering entering a competition to go for it. You never truly know what you’re capable of until you put yourself out there. Competitions open up incredible opportunities, help you grow in confidence, and are hugely beneficial both personally and professionally.”

Richard Hanney, Head of Construction at Weston College, added:

“Gracie continues to amaze us with everything she has achieved throughout her time at Weston College. The work she produces is consistently of an exceptionally high standard, and she is always a pleasure to work with. We are incredibly proud of how far she has come and excited to see what she achieves next.

We always encourage our learners to step outside of their comfort zones and take part in competitions to build confidence and showcase their talents. Seeing how much they gain from these experiences, both personally and professionally, is fantastic.”

Thank you to the Construction Trades Team at Weston College for their ongoing support and dedication to push their learners beyond the classroom, these achievements wouldn’t be possible without your care and encouragement.

Finally, a huge congratulations to Gracie on this outstanding achievement, and a massive thank you for securing £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers for Weston College, helping to support future talent and invest in high-quality equipment for our learners.

This competition forms part of the Construction 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. 

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.