Recently, one of our Level 2 Art & Design students, Shannon Cheshire, got recognised by Bristol Aquarium for her Final Media Project, an octopus sculpture inspired by the sea life within the aquarium. 

A Final Media Project (FMP) is a major piece of work that allows students to bring together the knowledge, technical skills, and creative ideas they have developed throughout their course. It is an opportunity to research a chosen theme, experiment with different techniques and materials, and produce a finished outcome that reflects their personal style and artistic growth. 

Shannon was inspired after visiting Bristol Aquarium and meeting the previous octopus, Maggie, and after finding out of her passing, she began exploring themes surrounding camouflage, adaptation, and sensory experiences that she could use to represent a deeper meaning. 

Shannon said, “As an autistic student myself, I also researched the similarities between octopus camouflage and autistic masking. This led me to create a large-scale tactile textile installation that incorporates a variety of colours, textures, and materials to represent sensory processing and adaptation.” 

“The final piece is a giant fabric octopus installation, and after learning about Maggie’s passing, I decided to create the work with her in mind and named the octopus ‘Maggie’ in her memory.” 

This project allowed Shannon to explore themes and topics that were meaningful to her, creating a depth to her work that goes beyond the initial sculpture and develops symbolism through research and creative application. This was a powerful representation of autism and the many layers enclosed within the diagnosis, giving her the opportunity to express her experiences within another subject she’s passionate about. 

FMPs are important because it demonstrates a student's ability to plan, solve creative problems, manage their time, and communicate ideas effectively. It also provides valuable evidence of their abilities for future education, employment, or professional portfolios, making it a key milestone in their development as artists and designers. 

Chrissandra Boxley, Head of Art & Design, Fashion, and Graphic Design at Weston College, added, “It was fantastic to see one of our Level 2 students gain recognition from a well-established and local attraction like Bristol Aquarium. Giving our students the opportunity to display their work in a professional exhibition like the summer showcase to members of the community is a great way to build their portfolio and create traction with their work.” 

“Shannon has developed fantastic skills since beginning the course and to see her confidence and creativity grow throughout the year has been great to see. It is events like this that enable our students to exhibit their work and discuss their decisions and approaches behind each piece which will have a huge impact on their future careers.” 

A huge well done to Shannon for her amazing work, and we look forward to seeing the work she produces through her Level 3 course!  

This project forms part of the 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 Art & Design! 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. 

Our Level 3 Art & Design students were recently tasked with creating a badge design for Tyntesfield National Trust, with the chosen design being turned into enamel pin badges which will be sold to raise money for the National Trust. 

One of our Level 3 Art & Design applicants, Raheema Taylor, was chosen out of the applicants and after a few minor adjustments, her design was sent off to print. This merchandise will then be sold in order to maintain the National Trust which preserves historic buildings, maintains wildlife and habitats, and funds public countryside trails. 

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with the community and apply their skills and talents to a competition that allowed them to publicise their work and build their portfolio. To have her work acknowledged and associated to such a nationally recognised organisation is a great way to gain traction for her work and will have many benefits to her future career following her course. 

Raheema’s design was simple but impactful, incorporating a signature symbol of nature such as a tree to represent Tyntesfield. Initially, Raheema was shocked her design had won due to the simplistic design, however after being reviewed by the judges, it turned out her design was far stronger than she anticipated and required only minor changes before it was approved for print. 

The Art & Design course at Weston College allows students to explore their creative freedom and discover their individual style in a supportive environment. 

Raheema said, “During my course, I initially found it difficult to push myself to do more things out of my comfort zone as an artist, but I eventually realised that your work doesn’t always have to be perfect. Sometimes it’s just the process behind the creation of your work that is the most important.” 

Ronnie Houselander-Cook, Art & Design lecturer at Weston College, said, “We are so proud of Raheema for this fantastic achievement! To get her work recognised by such a reputable organisation is a great start to her career as an artist and it’s great to see how far she’s come throughout her course so far. It is opportunities from employers and businesses like this that give our students invaluable real-world experience working with clients and builds their confidence in their talent and abilities.” 

Following college, Raheema intends to continue to pursue art as a career, whether this is as a freelance artist or a Graphic Designer at a company, we will continue to support her towards her goals. 

Thank you to the National Trust for giving our students this fantastic opportunity and enriching the future of the art industry.  

This competition forms part of the 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 Art & Design! 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. 

Recently, Sixth Form students at Weston College were given the opportunity to quiz their local MP during a visit to the College's Loxton Campus.

Dan Aldridge, the MP for Weston-super-Mare and a former Weston College student, returned to the College to speak with A Level learners, and then appear as a guest on the Media student-led Weston Waves Podcast.

Dan, who made history as Weston-super-Mare's first Labour MP, studied for his own A Levels at the College before going on to study Psychology at Exeter University.

During the visit, Dan took the time to speak to students individually, and he was keen to find out their views on the recently announced social media bans for under-16s. 

The topic sparked some lively debate, with learners sharing a variety of perspectives. While some students expressed support for tighter restrictions on social media to protect young people from harmful or misleading content, others raised concerns about how the ban could affect communication, which could lead to some young people feeling isolated. 

Dan also spoke with the students about his experiences in politics, his former career working for a technology charity, and his upbringing in Weston-super-Mare - including being the first in his family to attend university - as well as the challenges he faces as an MP.  

Following the discussion, Dan headed over to the campus’s podcast and audio studio, where he was interviewed by media students from the Weston Waves student podcast. 

The interview explored a range of issues important to young people, with the questions all written by the students. The topics covered included immigration, knife crime, support for young men, SEND provision and the cost-of-living crisis. Finally, after all the serious discussion, the interview wrapped up with a more light-hearted question: what is the MP's go-to meal deal?

Dan’s visit gave students the opportunity to engage with current affairs and their local MP.

Commenting on his visit, Dan said: “It was fantastic to return to Weston College and take part in the Weston Waves podcast. I really enjoyed connecting with the students and hearing their views on the topics that matter most to them. 

“As I told the students, they are living through historic and exciting times as we prepare for the fourth industrial revolution, and their perspectives and ideas will help shape the future. I was really impressed with their level of debate and how engaged and thought through their questions were.”