Andy wanted to be a chef from a very young age.

His parents couldn’t keep him out of the kitchen, especially when it came to occasions like dinner parties. Andy loved experimenting in the kitchen and his brother would often play ‘guinea pig’ by trying his creations!

Andy trained at Weston College from 1988 to 1990. Once qualified, he took his first job in a little two-rosette French restaurant in the Bristol area.

After two years of intense training and hard work, he took his first large hotel job at Bristol Marriott Royal. He saw this as an opportunity to develop skills in other areas, such as large banqueting and busy bistro style food, as well as dipping in and out of the fine dining restaurant.

After three years and two promotions, he moved on to moat house hotels, working at the Crowne Plaza and The Billesley Manor Hotel - a two-rosette property.

Andy’s first head chef job was with Novotel Bristol. After just three years, he became the company’s development chef for the UK!

Andy has enjoyed many travel opportunities – working in countries such as Morocco, Philippines and Thailand for the Sofitel Hotels and Resorts five-star brand. He loved every minute of working abroad, seeing different cultures and learning all about new flavours and cooking methods.

Andy worked as executive chef for Novotel UK for 12 years before leaving to work in a similar capacity within the Devere Hotel Group.

Andy is now heading up the team at Backwell house and loves the luxury boutique hotel environment.

He uses his wealth of industry experience to mentor the next generation with his masterclasses at Weston College.

See what course we offer here or contact us on 01934 411 411.

Performing Arts learners brought the curtain down on their final projects by putting on two fantastic theatrical performances. Learners surpassed expectations as they performed ‘The Wonderful World of Dissocia’ and ‘Made in Dagenham’ (the musical), displaying outstanding acting abilities throughout.

Here, cast members reflect on the performances and explain why they enjoy studying performing arts.

DISSOCIA

Ben, previously from Backwell School

Performing Arts (Acting Pathway)

The Wonderful World of Dissocia in just three words? Captivating, intriguing and wild. The word ‘Dissocia’ comes from ‘dissociative disorder’, which is a mental health issue that the protagonist, Lisa Jones, suffers with. This is hinted at throughout the first act but finally revealed in the final act.

Lauren Easterby, previously from Priory School

Performing Arts (Acting Pathway)

The lead role of Lisa was really challenging and without Fiona and the rest of the lecturers, I think I would have struggled and perhaps given up. But I kept going thanks to her support. The hardest bit for me was to be able to convey the things she goes through correctly, because it’s all based around a mental disorder. Not experiencing that yourself, makes it really hard to capture how that feels and express that to an audience in the appropriate way. To prepare for it I had help with research and did exercises and workshops to get myself into that headspace, and also get myself out, which is also really important.

Paul, previously from Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College

Performing Arts (Acting Pathway)

My favourite thing about performing arts is definitely the creativity and the imagination it allows you to use. There’s a lot of freedom within it and you get to take on other people’s stories. Learning or creating something new that you didn’t know was there is absolutely amazing! I played Ticket, Dr Clark and two other roles, one of which included puppeteering. Ticket stood out for me and I did so much research around him, I even made up my own backstory, which was crazy. I loved to see the creativity – it was insane!

Stephanie, previously from Gordano School

Performing Arts (Acting Pathway)

The final moment on stage for Dissocia was a really proud moment. As this is my second year, it was my final major project and it just felt like a brilliant way to express all of my emotions on stage. From a very young age I did a lot of dancing and was eager to perform in front of people. I remember wanting to perform a limbo dance on stage when I was on holiday at three years old. Since then I’ve always wanted to be on stage.

Fiona Philp, Performing Arts Lecturer and Director for The Wonderful World of Dissocia added: “I’ve been really impressed with the learners’ maturity as the play covers themes that are challenging, topical and tough.

“They all stepped out of their comfort zones and were really willing to experiment and explore new ways of thinking. This flexibility is highly commendable alongside their levels of commitment and professionalism.”

MADE IN DEGENHAM

Ben, previously from Worle School

Performing Arts (Acting Pathway)

Made in Dagenham is based on the true story of how women finally got equal pay to men, or at least how that journey began. It focuses on a housewife and her journey achieving equality at Ford factory car development service. In the 1950s there were very little rights for women so it’s important to raise awareness and remind people how far we’ve come. As much fun as a play is, I would always choose to do a musical. The singing and choreography just adds so much more. It rises it up and hits you a lot more which is why I love musical theatre.

Holly, previously from Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College

Performing Arts (Acting Pathway)

There was an overwhelming feeling of pride and passion during the final performance. I can’t really explain the feeling – it’s very euphoric. You put all of that work in and it just pays off in that moment. Performing arts is unique. There’s nothing better than the feeling of finishing your favourite number or completing a dance you never thought you’d be able to do. Compared to the start of the course, I feel like my confidence has quadrupled! With the lecturers pushing you, you can do anything. I never thought I would be able to play a lead, but I did.

Joe Miller, Dance Lecturer and Made in Dagenham choreographer, said: “The process began just 11 weeks ago. The learners developed their singing abilities and projection as well as overcoming hurdles like learning accents, as the musical is set in Essex. They also worked on all the set changes themselves and came together as a company as there was no back stage help.

“After weeks of rehearsal the students, who range in ages and levels, produced an amazing show to a very high standard. I’m very proud and couldn’t be happier with the musical.”

Lisa Frost, Performing Arts Lecturer and Made in Dagenham director, added: “It was an amazing process. Some of our learners are first years and have never done anything like this. Over a short period of time, there was a lot of great collaboration between different levels and ages within the cast. They guided and supported each other, gave feedback and worked together to achieve a massive journey of development.”

As part of the Creative Arts Summer Showcase, the Performing Arts cast will be accompanied by UCW degree learners in an end-of-year stage performance of “Sorry For The Inconvenience - We Are Trying To Change The World” on Wednesday 19th June, 7:30pm at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare. Click here to get your tickets.

A College Apprentice has scooped the South West Regional heat of a National SPARKS* competition that could see him test his skills in Brazil.

Liam Bennet, 18, of Ebdon Road, Worle, competed at Bridgwater College against nine South West colleges, gaining 170 out of 200 points – 30 more than his nearest rival.

Weston College Building Services and Environmental Technology Manager, Christopher Simpson, said: “Liam has done brilliantly and we’re really proud of him.

“He’s been with us since he was 16 and is now a Level 3 Apprentice working for Weston Electrical Services. The whole electrical team here and at work have supported him.

Liam is now set to compete at a national level in April at Birmingham and if he succeeds is set to jet to Rio de Janeiro later this year for the international final.

The South West Skills Campus (SWSC) on Locking Road is undergoing an £11 million investment.

In 2010, the Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) won a ‘National Training Award’ for the South West of England.

It delivers training in a wide range of construction occupations including, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry, trowel trades, painting, decorating, plastering, property maintenance, as well as renewable energy courses and apprenticeships.

The CECE holds specialist workshops for training electricians along with bespoke brickwork and carpentry workshops at a resource-based learning centre with online learning available.

The CECE is also a test centre for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and health and safety card.

There is a 100 per cent success rate for Level 2 qualifications with around 70 per cent of CECE students finding work in industry while others enhance their DIY skills.