Last week, students from across Weston College came together at Freshers’ Festival at the Winter Gardens and the new AMTEC building, where they had the opportunity to connect with local organisations, charities and the Students’ Union and discover the wide range of support, activities and opportunities available to them.

The festival brought together organisations and services from across the local community, giving students the chance to find out more about the support available to them throughout their time at college. From health and wellbeing and mental health support to community services, inclusion and public safety, students could speak directly with organisations and discover services that could support their wellbeing and personal development.

The event welcomed a fantastic range of organisations and charities, including NS LGBT+ Forum, SWEDA, Off The Record, Caafi Health CIC, Young Adult Carers Service, NHS Talking Therapies, Cranstoun, Weston Hospicecare and RENS. Students could also connect with Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire & Rescue, the Violence Reduction Partnership and Weston Street Pastors to learn more about the work these organisations do within the local community.

Alongside support services, students could explore a variety of leisure, fitness and social opportunities from organisations including Hutton Moor, Sporting Weston, Rock Up, Pilara Studio and All Stars Bowling & Escape Room. Local food and hospitality businesses, including Nando’s, Miss Millie’s and All Stars Bar, also attended, giving students the opportunity to discover new places to visit and take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts.

Students were able to interact directly with organisations, take part in activities and collect a range of freebies, with highlights including a photobooth, basketball game and interactive activities hosted by local businesses. These experiences gave students the opportunity to meet new people, try something different, and discover ways to make the most of their time at Weston College.

The Students’ Union also played an important role at the festival, encouraging students to get involved in college life and learn more about opportunities to have their voices heard. From becoming a Student Ambassador to joining the Student Executive Team, students can take on roles that help develop their confidence, communication and leadership skills while giving them the opportunity to advocate for positive change across the college.

Tia Beard, Student Engagement Officer who ran the event, said: “Bringing students together for Freshers’ Festival is a great way to help them feel connected to both the college and the wider community, while encouraging them to engage with organisations and services that could benefit them throughout their time at Weston College. It is always fantastic to see so many organisations come together to support our students, taking the time to speak with them, share what they offer and highlight the positive impact they have within the community.”

A huge thank you to all the organisations, charities and businesses who attended and helped make the event a success. Opportunities like Freshers’ Festival play an important role in helping students build connections, discover new experiences and make the most of their time at Weston College and within the wider Weston-super-Mare community.

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.

This week, our A Level students completing the Social Action Pathway welcomed Tony Hobden, CEO of Shiva Charity, which raises funds to support children and communities in Nepal. The session gave students a first-hand insight into the impact that fundraising and charitable work can have on communities and the importance of taking action to support others.

As part of Weston College’s Sixth Form, students complete an enrichment pathway alongside their A Levels, providing opportunities to broaden their understanding of wider issues, develop new skills and make a positive contribution to their community.

The Social Action Pathway enables students to plan and deliver their own initiatives to raise money and awareness for charities and causes that matter to them. Working independently or as part of a group, students have the freedom to choose their own focus and take responsibility for developing their ideas from conception through to delivery.

During the session, Tony shared his experiences of raising awareness and funds for Shiva Charity, whose work in Nepal focuses on improving access to education through building and maintaining schools, child sponsorship and teacher training. The charity is also providing emergency support following the devastating landslides and flooding across the Rasuwa region and Central Nepal.

Tony also spoke about his latest fundraising challenge, Scoot 4 Nepal, which will see him ride 1,000km across Nepal over 10 days on a pink scooter to raise funds for clean drinking water systems in rural schools. His target is to raise £80,000 to install and maintain 50 water purification systems, with around £40,000 already raised through the campaign.

The session encouraged students to consider how they can create meaningful change through their own Social Action projects. As they develop their initiatives, students will build a range of transferable skills, from communication, marketing and event organisation to leadership, teamwork, time management and problem-solving. They will also gain confidence in taking an idea from planning to action, adapting to challenges along the way.

Most importantly, the pathway encourages students to recognise that making a difference is not always about the size of an initiative, but the positive impact it can have on others. Whether supporting an established charity, raising awareness of an important issue or giving back to their local community, students are empowered to take action on causes they are passionate about.

Nicola Stent, Sixth Form Lecturer and Head of the Social Action Pathway, said: “The Social Action Pathway gives students a fantastic opportunity to make a positive difference while developing skills and experiences that will support them beyond Sixth Form. It encourages them to look beyond themselves, understand the importance of empathy and compassion, and recognise the impact they can have within their community. By planning and delivering their own initiatives, students develop valuable employability and life skills, while seeing first-hand that raising awareness and inspiring others to get involved can be just as important as raising money.”

A huge thank you to Tony for taking the time to share his journey with the students and encouraging them to get involved.

This pathway 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.

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 Group’s Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College welcomes first learners to new industry-focused campus

Today marks a major milestone for technical education in the South West as Weston College Group's Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) officially opens for business, welcoming its first cohort of apprentices to its new industry-standard campus in Filton.

Nearly 800 apprentices will begin in its first week of operation. The opening represents the culmination of months of planning, investment and collaboration between Weston College Group and leading employers from the aerospace, engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Situated on Airbus' Filton site, the facility has been transformed into a specialist training centre dedicated to developing the next generation of engineers, technicians and manufacturing professionals. The campus features industry-standard workshops, modern teaching spaces and the latest digital infrastructure designed to replicate real-world manufacturing environments and provide learners with valuable hands-on experience. £4 million invested in the transformation of the site, AMTEC represents one of the most significant recent investments in technical education for the advanced manufacturing and aerospace sectors in the South West.

Located in the heart of one of the UK's most significant aerospace and advanced manufacturing hubs, AMTEC will deliver specialist training aligned to employer needs, working closely with industry partners including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace and Babcock to ensure apprentices develop the skills required by modern industry.

The opening comes following Weston College Group's designation as one of England's Technical Excellence Colleges, enabling additional investment in training for high-demand sectors and strengthening links between education and industry. Through employer-led curriculum design and close collaboration with major manufacturers, AMTEC aims to address skills shortages while creating clear pathways into high-value engineering and manufacturing careers.

As one of four colleges that form the national AMTEC partnership, alongside City of Wolverhampton College, Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group and New College Durham, the Weston College Group will also contribute to a wider programme of collaboration focused on strengthening advanced manufacturing education across England.

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of the Weston College Group, said:

"Today is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved in the creation of AMTEC. After months of hard work, planning and collaboration, it is fantastic to finally welcome our first apprentices into this outstanding new facility.

"AMTEC has been created to give learners access to world-class technical education in the heart of one of the UK's most important aerospace and advanced manufacturing communities. By working closely with employers, we will ensure our apprentices develop the practical skills, technical expertise and industry experience needed to thrive in their careers.

"This is not only a significant milestone for Weston College Group, but also for the wider region as we help build the skilled workforce that will support the future growth and success of aerospace, engineering and advanced manufacturing."

Sue Partridge, Airbus Commercial Aircraft UK Country Manager, said:

“The future of the aerospace industry relies on developing the next generation of talent who are crucial to keeping our industry ahead of the game. Apprenticeships are a key part of that so we’re absolutely delighted to be hosting the AMTEC on our Filton site. The dedicated training facility will provide workshops and teaching spaces that mirror our industrial environment, supporting the development of skills and talent to meet aerospace industry needs. Filton has a long and proud history within the UK’s aviation story, and this collaboration reinforces our ongoing commitment to investing in local talent, creating high-value career pathways, and supporting the South West’s thriving aerospace ecosystem.

The new campus represents a significant investment in the future of technical education and the region's economy. With the South West home to one of Europe's largest aerospace clusters, AMTEC will help strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals entering the industry, supporting innovation, productivity and long-term economic growth.

The opening of AMTEC marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to establish the college as a centre of excellence for technical education, helping apprentices gain the skills employers need today while preparing them for the industries of tomorrow.