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.” 

We spoke with Jo Woolley, Operations Director at Debbie Fortune Estate Agents, about the positive impact of welcoming one of our SEND learners, Kyle, for a work experience placement. What began as an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience has since grown into paid employment, demonstrating the benefits of inclusive recruitment for both the learner and the business.

Jo Woolley, Debbie Fortune Estate Agents:

At Debbie Fortune Estate Agents, we believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence, and thrive in the workplace. That's why welcoming Kyle into our team has been such a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Kyle initially joined us on a work experience placement, and it quickly became clear that he had the right attitude and willingness to learn. Today, he is a valued member of our team, employed as a part-time Maintenance Assistant, supporting us at our Congresbury office.

Kyle's role is varied; he helps keep our company cars clean and presentable, maintains the gardens around our office and our adjoining Community Café, cleans the office, kitchen and toilet facilities, and is always happy to lend a hand with any other jobs that need doing. These tasks play an important part in keeping our workplace running smoothly, and Kyle approaches each one with care and commitment.

From the very beginning, Kyle showed a fantastic work ethic. He is always punctual – in fact, he's usually early – listens carefully to instructions, and has adapted really well to the day-to-day demands of the role. As his confidence has grown over the past few months, we've seen him become increasingly independent in his work, taking ownership of his responsibilities and completing tasks with minimal supervision.

One of the most rewarding aspects of watching Kyle develop has been seeing his personality shine through. As he's become more comfortable within the team, we've discovered he has a great sense of humour, and it's been wonderful to see his confidence continue to flourish. His willingness to help and his diligent approach mean we know we can rely on him, whatever the task.

It was these qualities that led us to offer Kyle paid employment following his work experience placement. His positive attitude, reliability, and commitment made him a natural fit for our team, and we're delighted to have him onboard.

Offering work experience placements brings real value to our business. Not only does it allow individuals to gain practical workplace skills and confidence, but it also enables us as employers to recognise potential that might otherwise be overlooked. With the right support and reasonable adjustments, people with different abilities can make meaningful and lasting contributions to the workplace.

Kyle's journey has been a positive experience for all involved. It has strengthened our team's understanding, empathy, and confidence while reinforcing our commitment to supporting our local community.

We hope his story encourages more employers to consider offering similar opportunities because the benefits extend far beyond the workplace.

Last week, a representative from Bristol Hippodrome, Casey Lloyd, visited our Performing Arts students to deliver a series of workshops across two days, providing them with invaluable skills, knowledge, and insight into working within such a competitive and dynamic industry. 

On the first day, Casey delivered an Exploitation and Networking workshop, giving students an understanding of the best ways to conduct themselves during auditions, interviews, and professional networking opportunities. Students explored how to present themselves confidently and appropriately, with practical examples of what to do and what to avoid in order to make the strongest possible impression. This was an invaluable opportunity for students to learn directly from an industry professional, gaining first-hand advice and guidance that they can apply in the future as they build connections and establish themselves within the Performing Arts sector. 

Following this, students took part in a Puppetry masterclass, where they worked collaboratively in groups to create puppets using brown parcel paper. The session explored the teamwork, creativity, and techniques required within puppetry to develop the structure and movement of a character. This engaging and hands-on workshop encouraged students to think creatively and demonstrated how simple materials can be transformed to create compelling theatrical illusions. 

On the second day, students participated in Audition workshops, where they were challenged to rehearse and perform a provided monologue, applying the knowledge and skills developed in the classroom to a professional-style audition setting. They received valuable feedback and guidance from Casey, helping them to refine their performance techniques and understand industry expectations. This experience will support students’ future careers by developing their confidence, communication, and employability skills. 

The workshops were followed by a Directing and Facilitating session, providing students with practical experience designed to develop their skills in leading, creating, and supporting performances. The session explored how to direct actors, communicate creative ideas, organise rehearsals, explore performance techniques, and make effective artistic decisions. 

The facilitating element focused on encouraging collaboration, creativity, and confidence, while creating an inclusive environment where all performers could contribute their ideas. Through activities including improvisation, script work, group exercises, and rehearsal practice, students developed their ability to guide performances while supporting the creative development of others. 

These workshops provided significant benefits to students’ personal and professional development, helping them to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and communication skills that are essential within the performing arts industry. By working alongside an experienced industry professional, students gained a deeper understanding of professional expectations and developed the ability to adapt, collaborate, and respond creatively in a range of performance settings. 

Joe Miller, Performing Arts lecturer at Weston College, added, “Collaborations like this are a great way for students to learn from professionals and gain valuable insight regarding the processes and expectations of working in such a competitive industry. These experiences can set them apart and provide them with advice and guidance on how to succeed in the industry. Thank you to Casey for being so engaging with the students and delivering such interactive sessions that will have a lasting impression on our learners!” 

Thank you to the Casey and the Bristol Hippodrome for their ongoing support and helping to enrich our student’s future careers. 

These workshops forms part of the Performing Arts 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 Performing Arts! 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.