Last month, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset Police, Clare Moody, came into Weston College Sixth Form to deliver a guest lecture to our A Level Criminology students regarding her experiences and journey into the police.  

Clare has an extensive background in politics, working as a Member of the European Parliament in a range of committees, from Security and Defence, to Industrial Strategy, Research and Energy, and Gender Equality. She was also the Co-Chief Executive Officer at Equally Ours where she worked to combat equality issues. Clare has had many high-profile roles responding and resolving political issues and crisis before she became the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon & Somerset Police in 2024. 

During the guest lecture, Clare covered a wide range of key police issues including the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan, highlighting how her office works to ensure local policing reflects the needs and concerns of the community.  

She described her role as the Police and Crime Commissioner as the public voice of policing, acting as a bridge between the community and the police. She ensures the police are following rules, keeping the community safe, and supporting victims of crime, as well as guaranteeing the performance and strategic direction of policing to improve the criminal justice system. 

Additionally, Clare ensures that the force is held to account through independent panels and oversight of the Professional Standards Department. She also discussed her commitment to improving the police response to domestic violence, sharing that she has funded a detailed review into how Avon & Somerset Police handle these cases, with the aim of identifying and driving forward meaningful change. 

This invaluable insight gave our students a more in-depth look into a career in the police, giving them a better understanding of the protocols, roles and responsibilities, and plans for future improvements within the constabulary. 

Guest lectures are a great way for students to connect with employers and ask more specific questions to industry professionals. They allow students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world events and listen to first-hand recounts of experiences within the role. This gives them a better idea of their options after completing their course and the qualifications and pathways required to achieve their goals. 

A big thank you to Clare Moody for taking the time to visit our students and share her experiences, acting as an excellent example of perseverance and resilience. 

This guest lecture forms part of the Sixth Form 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.  

Progress to the next level in Criminology and Public Services! 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. 

Students on Weston College’s UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design have recently completed an impactful project titled “Visual Rebellion: The Rule Breakers”, showcasing their creativity and critical thinking through bold artistic exploration. 

The UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a 1-year pre-degree course designed to give students the opportunity to trial a wide range of mediums before specialising. It is completely free to all students, allowing you to get a foundation diploma which you often get at university. It provides valuable time for learners to refine their skills, explore their interests, and prepare for progression into higher education or creative industries.  

The project encouraged learners to break formal rules in art and design, using their work to express authentic beliefs and challenge social, political, and personal conventions. Themes explored included political and social issues, personal experiences, and the boundaries of scale and material use. 

Throughout the project, students investigated influential artists who cover topics such as propaganda, war, corruption, and exploitation. The aim was to provoke thought, foster creativity, and stimulate dialogue through art that carries personal meaning and relevance. 

The first part of the project focused on research, including a trip to Bristol and seminars on research methodologies. Learners explored five avenues of “Visual Rebellion”, collecting imagery and presenting their findings digitally. 

Over the following weeks, students rotated through specialist pathways including Surface & Form, Interdisciplinary Fine Art, and Visual Communication, breaking the project down into three different outcomes of the Visual Rebellion theme across the 6-week period. Students also took part in practical workshops which offered hands-on experience in digital media, printmaking, 3D design, collage, lens-based work, and illustrative sewing. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to trial a range of mediums and figure out which form of art was their preferred pathway. 

Each learner maintained a record of their journey through sketchbooks and personal blogs, documenting research, workshop outcomes, and reflections which built their portfolios and showcased the effort and research gone into their artwork. The project concluded with a thorough evaluation of each pathway and the overall experience. 

This course is a fantastic opportunity for students who are unsure what they want to do and who fancy exploring new ways to express themselves through art. Whether you have formally studied art before does not matter too much on this course, all you need is to have completed a Level 3 course and have a passion for creativity. 

Well done to all the students and the amazing work they have produced so far! 

This project forms part of the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 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. 

Progress to the next level in Creative Arts! 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.

Weston College’s annual CareersFest returned this week, transforming the Winter Gardens Pavilion into a vibrant hub of opportunity and inspiration.

Designed to spark ambition and help learners explore their future options, the event brought together an extensive mix of pathways from apprenticeships and university routes to specialised training and employer-led careers.

This year’s CareersFest welcomed over 1,000 Weston College learners, alongside more than 26 employers, 12 Higher Education providers, and a range of Weston College support teams.

The venue was filled with energy as exhibitors shared insights with learners, and answered questions that they had. Well-known organisations such as Airbus, Avon and Somerset Police, Babcock, Handelsbanken, and the Royal Navy were among those engaging with learners.

Universities were also out in force, including Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of Bath, University of Plymouth, the University of South Wales and UWE Bristol, offering guidance for those considering higher education.

Anna Holton, Head of Careers and Employability at Weston College, reflected on the impact of the event: “CareersFest gives our learners the chance to truly see what their futures could look like. The conversations they have here can spark ideas, build confidence, and open doors.

“At Weston College we champion ‘careers, not courses,’ and events like this help bring that philosophy to life. We’re delighted with the enthusiasm from both exhibitors and learners this year, and we're excited to see how these interactions shape their next steps.”

The Careers and Employability Team is on hand to provide ongoing support. Learners can get in touch at cet@weston.ac.uk or visit the team’s webpage for more information.

@westoncollege

At our Careers Fest, students had the chance to chat to big name employers and universities about their future!✨

♬ original sound - WestonCollege