Last week, our Hairdressing and Beauty students visited the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to take part in a masterclass titled The Art of Movie Make-up where students got to see the time, craft and skills behind the Making of Harry Potter, followed by a behind-the-scenes studio tour. This experience gave students a unique insight into the creation of one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time.  

During the masterclass, students explored the powerful impact that hair and makeup have on a character’s physical appearance. They learned how distinctive features help define and identify characters, such as Harry Potter’s iconic scar and glasses, Voldemort’s nose, and Draco Malfoy’s slicked-back, platinum-blonde hair. These visual elements extend beyond the films themselves and have become instantly recognisable symbols of the franchise.  

Students were then guided through the step-by-step process used by professional makeup artists to create characters for film. This begins with carefully reading the full script and analysing character descriptions to determine the appropriate hair and makeup required to bring the director’s vision to life. This foundational stage is essential, allowing each character’s look to be developed and refined through multiple stages of collaboration and feedback.  

Throughout the session, students also learned a range of fascinating facts about the Harry Potter films and the design choices behind each character. They gained insight into the challenges makeup artists face in maintaining consistency and continuity, particularly across long-running film franchises where actors change and grow over time.  

To apply their learning, students took part in a creative activity in which they designed their own character. They selected a name, gender, species, and defining characteristics, using personality traits as a guide for their character’s visual appearance. This task highlighted how hair and makeup can help communicate a character’s background, journey, and role within a story.  

To conclude the visit, students viewed authentic prosthetics and wigs used in the Harry Potter films, bringing to life the transformative impact that hair and makeup can have on screen.  

Overall, the trip provided students with a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, learn directly from industry professionals, and develop a deeper understanding of the vital role hair and makeup play in shaping a character’s personality and backstory. This is particularly important in book-to-film adaptations, where meeting audience expectations is crucial to maintaining authenticity and enjoyment.  

The experience also allowed students to network with industry professionals, ask questions, and gain insight into potential career pathways after college. They learned about routes into hair and makeup for TV and film, and gained an honest understanding of both the rewards and challenges of working in a high-pressure industry that plays a key role in the success of modern cinematography.  

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students, benefitting not only their professional development but also their personal growth. It helped build their confidence, creativity, and determination to achieve the careers they aspire to. By giving students the chance to explore a range of pathways within the Hair and Beauty sector, we are broadening their prospects and helping them gain a clearer understanding of the careers they could pursue after completing their course. As a college, we are committed to ensuring they feel fully prepared and supported as they take their next step.”  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Hairdressing and Beauty 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 SUBJECT! 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. 

Claire Hazelgrove MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke was welcomed to GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol to showcase how industry and education are working together to deliver high-quality technical skills and support regional economic growth. 

The visit, facilitated by the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) and initiated through the Gatsby Foundation, brought Claire Hazelgrove MP together with education and industry leaders from across the WEIoT partnership, including GKN Aerospace, the Weston College Group and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). GKN Aerospace apprentices also took part, sharing first-hand insights into technical education and their progression into high-skilled aerospace careers. 

During the visit, the MP toured the Global Technology Centre (GTC), beginning in the Training and Education Centre, where Claire met apprentices, explored the learning environment and viewed specialist facilities. The tour continued into the workshop, home to Weston College’s on-site learning space for apprentices, demonstrating how technical education is delivered alongside cutting-edge aerospace innovation. 

The visit reinforced Claire Hazelgrove MP’s commitment to supporting young people, strengthening links between education and local employers, and ensuring the region’s aerospace and engineering sectors have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. 

Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:  

“I’m grateful to GKN Aerospace for hosting me together with key representatives from, Weston College, UWE Bristol and the Gatsby Foundation on site in Filton on Friday to hear more about their collaboration - between industry, education and research - at the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT). 

“This collaboration is both driving innovation and creating opportunities right here in our community, including for apprentices like Reece, Maddie and Lysander, who we heard from about their invaluable experience here.” 

“Our Labour Government is backing further education and gold standard apprenticeships alongside university education - rather than pushing it instead of these other valuable routes - and funding the costs of training apprentices for SMEs.” 

Speaking following the visit, Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group and education provider lead for the WEIoT, said:  

“This visit highlights the power of partnership between education and industry. Together, we are creating clear, high-quality technical pathways that allow learners to progress into skilled, well-paid careers without leaving the region. Building on our strong partnerships with GKN Aerospace, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Weston College is developing a new Aerospace Skills Academy in Filton. This investment reflects our shared commitment to meeting the future skills needs of the aerospace sector, supporting employers, and ensuring local people can access outstanding technical education that leads directly to opportunity."

Earlier this month, our Performing Arts students took part in a workshop with professional dance company, Ekleido. This was a great opportunity for our students to develop their skills and learn from professionals with their guidance and expertise.  

Ekleido is a choreographic duo formed by Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser. Both have an extensive professional background in contemporary dance, street dance, and the commercial industry. Not only do they host workshops for aspiring dancers, but they largely choreograph for live performances and film. The dances they create are meaningful collaborations that are both innovative and modern, focusing on the music and meaning behind each move. 

Our Performing Arts course gives students a broad overview of the key components of performing, such as singing, dancing, musical theatre, and acting, providing them with a wide range of skills and knowledge to thrive in such a competitive industry. It is also important to learn from a range of industry professionals to broaden their creative identity and learn alongside contemporary performers. 

Hannah and Faye worked hard with our students across two-days, choreographing a dance for them to perform at the Super Culture show on February 19th at the Electric Banana, Weston-super-Mare. In order to maintain the choreography until the performance, two of our Year 2 students, Abi and Emma, have been given leadership roles as Company Manager and Dance Captain to run rehearsals, clean the dance routines and build their skills in these important areas to further prepare them for industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build their confidence, adaptability, and communication skills, ensuring they are equipped with as many skills and opportunities as possible. 

Working with external organisations like this gives our students an excellent opportunity to not only learn alongside them, but also receive invaluable feedback, network with professionals, and gain a fresh perspective of new techniques that they may not have been previously exposed to. This broadens students career pathways and gives them a better sense of the careers available to them. It also provides students with exciting collaboration and enrichment opportunities that they can add to their portfolio to reflect the broad experiences they received throughout their course. 

Joe Miller, Lecturer in Performing Arts, said: “We’re so grateful to Hannah and Faye for delivering such a well-choreographed and hands-on session, sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise and giving all students the fantastic opportunity to perform for a new audience. It is invaluable sessions like this that give our students first-hand exposure to industry-level techniques, creative processes, and professional expectations, allowing them to push themselves beyond the classroom and achieve an even higher technical standard.” 

Thank you to Hannah and Faye for taking the time to engage with our students and share their invaluable insight! 

Book your tickets to see our Performing Arts students and Hannah and Faye at the Super Culture production on February 19th here.

This workshop forms part of the Performing Arts 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 Performance and Production Arts and Music! 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.