Earlier this month, our Uniformed Protective Services students took part in an emergency response simulation to provide them with invaluable, hands-on experience and prepare them for a future career in the emergency and protective services industry.  

This event was a fantastic collaboration opportunity across Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW), with our Protective Services students acting as the respondents, and the HE UAL Level 4 Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students turning a handful of Protective Services students into gruesome casualties, using fake blood and prosthetics to create realistic wounds and simulate a potential real-world scenario. 

During this simulation, the casualties were given a general back story to answer any questions the responders may have so they are able to investigate the two events being simulated: a gas explosion and a fatal bike collision as a result of a knife crime incident. Students remained in character and took their responsibilities seriously, asking effective questions and reacting appropriately to the information provided.  

This simulation event was a fantastic way for students to experience a real-world emergency scenario in a safe environment and get a glimpse into the questions to ask, the potential responses and discomfort of the casualties and how to approach them, and the challenges respondents must overcome. 

This event was also a great experience for the HE Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students, giving them the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge and follow a brief to create designs that would match a specific injury. Not only this, they also got to the opportunity to see how their work transformed the event and made it more realistic and believable, seeing the impact that makeup and prosthetics can have to bring a set to life. 

Students approached their roles as respondents with professionalism and empathy, engaging casualties patiently and compassionately. This not only strengthened their communication skills but also enhanced their leadership and problem-solving abilities. Working collaboratively, they gathered critical information about the situation and effectively applied their classroom knowledge to determine appropriate next steps. 

Nicola Stent, Lecturer in Protective Services, said, “It was amazing to see how stuck-in the students got with this event, asking appropriate questions and treating it with respect and seriousness as they would in their future careers within the Protective Services industry. This was a great way to prepare them for the fast-paced and high-pressure scenarios that they may face in the future. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics team for bringing the vision to life, creating such realistic and detailed wounds that reflected a real-life emergency scenario.” 

A huge well done to all the students and staff involved in this event, the collaboration is a reflection of the hands-on and high-quality approach to teaching that students experience throughout their course. 

This simulation event forms part of the Protective Services 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 Criminology and Public Services! 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. 

Last month, our A Level Art and A Level Fashion students took a trip to London to enrich themselves in famous exhibitions, with Fashion students visiting Arches London Bridge exhibition space to see the Gianni Versace Retrospective exhibition, and the Art students visiting the Tate Modern Museum.  

During the visit, the Fashion students browsed the Versace exhibition which blended history, culture, and iconic designs, showcasing over 450 rare and original vintage pieces, many never-before displayed in the UK. Featuring elegant ensembles worn by Princess Diana and bold statements modelled by Kate Moss, to stage outfits styled for Elton John, this exhibition combines fashion with pop culture.  

Gianni Versace redefined fashion, creating bold designs that celebrated culture, individuality, and personal expression, challenging norms and building relationships between people and their clothes. This exhibition allowed our students to engage with his designs and immerse themselves in his choices, inspiring them to think creatively and create fashion with meaning and purpose.  

Not only this, the Art students also browsed the Tate Modern where they got the chance to explore modern and contemporary art from across the world, from paintings and photography, to sculptures and large-scale installations. This was a great opportunity for students to explore displays from world-renowned artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, and experience a wide variety of styles, expressions, and interpretations of art. This inspired our students to express their creativity in a range of ways, trialling mediums and different expressions to further their skills and development.

This enriching trip was an excellent opportunity for our students to explore new techniques and approaches to art and fashion, broadening their interpretations and creativity to design not just attractive designs, but also creations with depth, meaning, and symbolism.   

Nicola Stent, Lecturer in Textiles at Weston College, said, “I was so impressed with the attitudes of the students for embracing and making the most out of each piece of work on display. They took the time to read the background for each exhibit in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning and decisions behind the designer’s work.  Students were excited and inspired after experiencing the wide range of designs and I’m excited to see how this trip will reflect in their upcoming work!”  

A huge well done to the students for engaging and interacting with the exhibitions so professionally.  

This curriculum trip 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.  

Progress to the next level in Art and 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.

We caught up with Nigel almost 2 years after our previous catch up (UCW Award Winner Nigel’s Remarkable Growth – University Centre Weston), to find out how he has been getting on with his Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship after completing a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree!

Nigel’s Blog –

Progressing from my Nursing Associate foundation degree into the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) felt like a natural next step in my career. The foundation degree gave me a strong clinical base, so moving into the RNDA has allowed me to build on that knowledge while taking on more responsibility. My understanding of the nurse’s role has grown significantly, and I now feel I am developing into a more confident and capable practitioner.

One of the biggest surprises for me has been how closely academic learning connects with day-to-day practice. Topics discussed in university sessions often appear in real clinical situations, which really helps to reinforce my learning and make it more meaningful. Being able to see theory applied in practice has strengthened my confidence and helped me understand the “why” behind what we do.

My previous experience as a Nursing Associate has helped me settle into the RNDA programme. I already felt confident within my clinical setting and in communicating with patients and multidisciplinary teams. This has meant I can focus more on developing my leadership and decision-making skills, as well as becoming more inquisitive about why care is delivered in certain ways, rather than simply carrying out tasks.

What I am finding most rewarding about the RNDA is developing deeper clinical knowledge and becoming more involved in-patient assessment and care planning. Being able to contribute more meaningfully to patient care and see the direct impact on patient outcomes is incredibly motivating.

I have also developed stronger assessment and critical thinking skills, which are already influencing my clinical practice. These skills help me make more informed clinical decisions and contribute more confidently during handovers and multidisciplinary discussions. They also support my colleagues, as I am able to provide more comprehensive background information and assessments when handing over patients, saving valuable time for others such as GPs.

Learning at UCW continues to support my confidence and clinical decision-making. The teaching encourages reflective practice and evidence-based decision-making, which has really helped me grow. I feel more confident with patient assessments and now have a deeper understanding of my own limitations. UCW are also very proactive in ensuring we are aware of the support available, which has been reassuring throughout my studies.

Since starting the degree apprenticeship, my long-term career goals have become clearer. I have developed a strong interest in specialising in long-term condition management and taking on expanded clinical responsibilities. I am increasingly focused on the impact of what we do and why we do it, rather than seeing my role as purely task-based.

To work towards these ambitions, I am actively seeking learning opportunities in practice that focus on long-term condition management and specialist care. I am also planning future study that will enable me to progress onto a prescribing course once I qualify as a registered nurse and meet the required enrolment criteria. More recently, I have also developed an interest in becoming a contraceptive implant fitter once qualified. Spending time alongside implant fitters introduced me to a role I had not previously considered and showed me how valuable clinical exposure can be in shaping future career interests.

For anyone considering the RNDA route or a degree apprenticeship at UCW, I would strongly encourage you to pursue it. While balancing work and study can be challenging at times, the support available and the practical experience gained make the journey highly rewarding. The apprenticeship route offers the best of both worlds: real-world clinical experience alongside academic learning.

The RNDA pathway has given me an excellent opportunity to grow professionally while continuing to deliver patient care. I’m excited to see where this journey leads and what new skills I can learn along the way. Thank you, UCW, for the opportunity.