Recently, a group of sixth form students joined thousands of pupils across the UK in taking part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz programme, marking a huge milestone for the initiative. With this most recent visit, over 20,000 students and teachers have now participated in the Trust’s transformative educational journey to the site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

Now in its fourteenth year, the Lessons from Auschwitz project aims to educate post-16 students and teachers about the Holocaust through a powerful combination of historical context, personal testimony, and direct experience. The programme is based on the belief that “hearing is not like seeing” and uses immersive, first-hand encounters to bring the reality of the Holocaust to life in ways that classroom learning alone can't. 

The four-part course begins with an orientation seminar focusing on Jewish life in Europe before the Second World War. This foundation provides context, helping students understand the lively and diverse communities that were devastated by the Holocaust. The seminar also features the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, offering a deeply personal perspective on events that are too often reduced to statistics. 

Following this, students travel to Poland, where they visit the town of Oświęcim—known today as the site of Auschwitz, but once a thriving community in which 58% of the population was Jewish before the war. The visit to the Auschwitz camp introduces participants to the harrowing conditions faced. There, they witness the preserved barracks and haunting displays of seized belongings, including piles of shoes, suitcases, glasses, and human hair. These serve as a stark reminder of the individuals behind the numbers. 

The visit continues at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the main site of the mass killings. Students walk through the infamous railway gates, stand on the ramp where selections were made, and visit the ruins of the gas chambers and crematorium. The day ends with a candle-lighting ceremony and a period of quiet reflection, honouring the memory of the millions who were unjustly killed. 

Our A Level History lecturer, Katie Moran, who accompanied four students on this recent trip described the experience as “emotional and sobering.” She added: 

“Walking through the gates of Auschwitz, standing on the ground where over a million lives were taken, and witnessing the remains of Birkenau was an emotional and sobering experience that words can barely capture. Seeing the piles of shoes, suitcases, and hair made the scale of the Holocaust feel devastatingly real. It was a stark reminder of the human stories behind the statistics we often teach in the classroom.” 

The students showed maturity and empathy. For them, the visit was not only about understanding the past but also about learning the responsibility that comes with remembrance. By confronting the atrocities of the Holocaust, they are now better equipped to challenge antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hatred in today’s world. 

Interested in our A Level History course? Explore not only History, but other A Levels we have to offer 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. 

On the last day of term, our South West Skills Campus (SWSC) opened its doors to some of its youngest visitors yet—Year 1 pupils from Puffin Class at Mead Vale Primary School. The young students were invited to take part in an inspiring Careers in Construction Workshop, created to introduce them to the exciting world of construction. 

The workshop was led by Richard Hanney, Head of Construction, and Victoria Howell, Deputy Head of Construction, whose enthusiasm and expertise brought the experience to life. They were joined by Georgie Durbin and Rebecca Barnett from our School Liaison Team, along with Cass Green from the Apprenticeship Team, who all worked together to ensure the day ran smoothly and was filled with fun. 

The day began with "construction phonics"—a clever and creative way to connect literacy with construction themes. The pupils then rotated through a variety of hands-on activities including a Careers in Construction session, Tool Bingo, and a collaborative Tower Building challenge that encouraged teamwork, creativity, and a bit of friendly competition. 

To round off the day, the primary school pupils were taken on a guided tour of the SWSC campus, where they got a behind-the-scenes look at the learning spaces, workshops, and equipment used by our construction students. It was a chance for them to see real-life learning in action—and perhaps imagine themselves there in the future! 

Wearing hard hats and with a whole new vocabulary of tools and trades, the Puffin Class left feeling inspired and excited about the world of building and design. 

A huge thank you goes to Richard and Victoria for leading such an engaging and educational workshop, and to Georgie, Rebecca, and Cass for their support in making the day a fun-filled success. We hope to welcome more young learners in the future as we continue to build connections and spark curiosity in the next generation. 

Interested in taking a look at our construction courses? Click here to browse.

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. 

On the evening of April 3rd, students from a range of fashion and creative courses at Weston College came together to showcase their talent at Elevate, a spectacular fashion show held in the Regency Suite on the Grand Pier.  This event gave learners the chance to present their work on a professional catwalk in front of friends, family, and the public. Also, the £321 raised from ticket sales will be donated to Weston Hospicecare. 

The show featured collections and designs from A Level Fashion and Textiles students, Extended Diploma Fashion, Business and Retail students, and Fashion, Theatre, Special Effects and Media Make-Up students. Hair and makeup were also provided by learners from the HE Hair, Makeup, Prosthetics and Production course. We also had a range of volunteer models from across different subject areas, showcasing the amazing collaboration of the entire college.  

Each collection was the result of months of creativity, research, and technical skill, developing initial ideas, conducting visual and factual research, experimenting with illustrations and media, and refining their concepts before constructing their final garments in chosen fabrics.  

The Extended Diploma in Fashion, Business and Retail students explored themes such as Contrast, Refabrication, and Nostalgia, allowing for various interpretations and unique outcomes. Some examples include explorations of the architectural contrast within the National Trust’s Tyntesfield House, designs focused on the healing potential of flora, and investigations into the psychology of nostalgia through brain scans and synaptic imagery. Others took a more cultural approach, drawing on rock music from the 1970s to early 2000s.  

A Level Fashion and Textiles students brought an equally diverse range of ideas to life, exploring cultural heritage, mental health, and ethical issues in fashion. From intricate Sashiko-inspired patterns to visual critiques of the denim industry’s environmental impact, these students demonstrated powerful, individual visions that reflected deep personal engagement with their themes. 

 The creativity didn’t stop at the garments. Students from the Extended Diploma in Fashion, Theatre, Special Effects and Media Make-Up created stunning looks that carried strong environmental messages. Their work responded to themes such as climate change, the ozone layer, California wildfires, and human impact on the planet—resulting in dramatic, thoughtful, and visually compelling headpieces and makeup designs.  

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, expressed her gratitude to both the students and the community for making this event possible, adding, “The Elevate Fashion Show was a true celebration—not just of the incredible creativity and talent of our fashion learners, but also of the community spirit that made it all possible.   

“Thanks must go to Michelle Michael and the team at the Grand Pier for so generously providing the Regency Suite free of charge, giving our students the unique opportunity to showcase their work in a truly professional setting. Thanks to this support, every ticket sold will go directly to Weston Hospicecare. We’re also grateful to St John’s Church for their kind loan of a lighting system that helped the show come to life. This event is a great example of what happens when education and community come together to lift up the next generation of creatives.”  

Elevate is a great example of how Weston College’s Career Excellence Hubs give our students the career-preparing opportunities to gain first-hand experience in presenting a collection within a professional setting, developing their confidence, communication skills, and understanding of the production and logistics behind a runway event. The evening also offered invaluable exposure to peers, industry professionals, and potential employers which is essential for anyone pursuing a future in fashion or performance industries.  

For many of the student models, walking the runway was a transformative experience. Stepping out of their comfort zones, they rose to the challenge with bravery and confidence, contributing to the energy and spirit of the event and supporting their peers on a night that celebrated creativity, courage, and collaboration. Elevate was an amazing reflection of the talent and dedication of our Weston College students, enhanced by community to bring this event to life for a great cause.  

Well done to all of our students who got involved in designing, creating, and modelling—this night wouldn't have been possible without your efforts! Also, a big thank you to our fantastic Photography students: Harrison, Ethan, Cerys, Annabel, Taylor, Cameron, Ellen, and Toby for capturing the night perfectly!

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.