Creating brighter futures

Our Fashion, Photography, and Art students recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the renowned Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in Knightsbridge, London, where they immersed themselves in the world of fashion and photography. The group explored the iconic career of supermodel Naomi Campbell, whose exhibition at the V&A showcased a collection of works by some of the world’s top designers and photographers. The exhibition also highlighted Naomi’s significant activism and her cultural impact. 

In addition to the Naomi Campbell exhibition, the students visited the Fragile Beauty exhibition, which featured a remarkable collection of photographs owned by Elton John. This collection included works from some of the most respected photographers in the industry, covering themes of fashion, celebrity, reportage, and the male body. The exhibition provided a unique opportunity for the learners to explore contemporary and modern photography and how it intersects with fashion and society. 

The trip was led by Nicola Stent, Samantha Gilraine, and Dan Wheatley, who were all impressed by the students’ engagement and enthusiasm throughout the day. Nicola Stent shared her thoughts on the experience, saying, “It was an absolute joy to witness the learners gather inspiration, capture their own photography during the visit, and develop their creative ideas. The students truly showcased their talent, and it’s clear they are on a path to success. They represented Weston College exceptionally well, and we are excited for the next creative visit.” 

This insightful and exciting visit to the V&A provided a wealth of inspiration for the learners, offering them the chance to explore the intersection of art, fashion, and photography at one of the world’s leading cultural institutions.  

This partnership forms part of the Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.    

To find out about what A Level subject courses we have to offer, please 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, two of our talented Level 3 Media learners, Leo and Jack, and two of our amazing Level 3 Photography learners, Harrison and Ethan, showcased their skills at the World Combat Arts Ring Warrior competition in Bristol. This exciting event gave the students a chance to capture the intense action through photography and videography, providing invaluable real-world experience in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. 

The learners attended a pre-briefing led by event organisers where were given a walkthrough of the arena, informed about restricted areas, and briefed on the expectations for their behaviour and professionalism. Mel Edmonds, one of our media lecturers who accompanied the learners, emphasised the importance of this opportunity to understand industry standards and working in a professional environment. 

"The students were absolutely brilliant, respectful, and professional," said Mel. 

The competition featured a thrilling mix of kickboxing and boxing matches. The students were positioned so close to the action that they experienced the raw intensity of the sport. Despite the chaotic environment, they maintained their focus, regularly checking their footage and equipment to ensure everything was intact and accounted for. 

The learners worked seamlessly as a team, constantly supporting and checking in on one another. They also had the chance to collaborate with Alex Romanov, a professional photographer based in Swindon, further enriching their learning experience. 

Their professionalism didn’t go unnoticed. The event organisers were so impressed that they asked the students to leave their contact details for future opportunities. The learners made it a point to thank everyone for the chance to participate, shaking hands with key stakeholders and leaving a lasting impression. 

The students documented the event with both photos and videos, capturing the raw emotions and energy of the matches. The photos told a vivid story of the day, reflecting the highs and lows of the fighters' journeys.

Mel’s connections with the event organisers made this a safe and constructive space for the students to learn and grow over the past two and a half years, ensuring they gain hands-on experience in real-world environments and network with industries early on.  

“This was a fantastic opportunity for the learners to meet clients, network, understand expectations, and practice professionalism while working in a team,” Mel added. 

The students’ enthusiasm, punctuality, and dedication were evident throughout the event. Their efforts not only enhanced their portfolios but also opened doors to future opportunities in the industry. The experience underscored the importance of practical learning and the value of forging industry connections. 

As we continue to nurture the next generation of media and photography professionals, events like these highlight our commitment to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. 

We’d like to say a big thank you to World Combat Arts for giving our students the opportunity to further their knowledge and put their skills into practice. 

If you’re interested in joining one of our Media or Photography courses next September, click here. 

The Young Enterprise (YE) Company Programme provides learners with an incredible opportunity to experience what it’s like to run their own business. Our Sixth Form learners competed at the Bristol area level, with the potential to advance to national and even European finals.  

During this, students take on the challenge of entrepreneurship, working together to create, market, and sell innovative products. This year, our sixth-form learners participated with two dynamic teams: Cycled Up and Reglow Glasswork. 

Young Enterprise is open to all our A Level learners, not just the Business cohort, to give students the chance to develop their problem-solving, initiative, and creative thinking skills. This provides them with great real-world experience that they can take to any future business or career. 

The YE Company Programme encourages students to think like business owners. Each team invests their own money as shareholders to fund their ventures. By investing £20 per shareholder, the teams started with £80-£100. Both groups supplemented their funds with bake sales at college, giving them a stronger financial footing to begin their entrepreneurial journeys. 

This year, the learners showcased and sold their products at Bristol’s Cabot Circus Christmas market, with the two teams showcasing their creativity and resilience. Cycled Up presented “paint-your-own-reindeer kits,” complete with paint pots and brushes, and woollen pom-pom snowmen. Reglow Glasswork offered room scents crafted from recycled glass bottles, a pivot from their original idea of making candles, which were no longer allowed under YE’s updated insurance policies. #

Both teams were very successful, with Cycled Up raising £70 in revenue and winning two awards: Best Sales and Promotion and Best Community Engagement. Their paint-your-own-reindeer kits proved to be especially popular. Meanwhile, the Reglow Glasswork earned £95 in revenue and showcased remarkable adaptability, turning a setback into an opportunity by transforming unused candle wax into room scents. 

YE is not a competition simply to make as much money as possible, as all the teams are at different stages and have different levels of resources. They're all selling different products with different prices, so at this stage, learners’ products are scored on various things like customer service. In the final, a big part of the judging is the journey and how much they've learned, rather than how well everyone did right out of the gate. 

Both teams faced product-related hurdles but demonstrated ingenuity and flexibility to overcome them. Cycled Up had to abandon their initial plan of selling custom wooden coasters due to stock delays, pivoting to their highly successful reindeer kits. Similarly, Reglow Glasswork adapted to the competition’s updated regulations by repurposing their candle materials into room scents, avoiding sunk costs and making the best of their resources. 

These challenges taught the learners valuable lessons in problem-solving, adaptability, and creative thinking—essential skills for any entrepreneur. 

While the trade fair was a success, it was only the beginning. Both teams plan to reinvest their earnings into their businesses, preparing for future trade fairs in March and the Bristol Finals in May. The learners are taking their experiences and applying them to refine their strategies, improve their marketing, and enhance their products. 

Meeting competitors from other schools at the trade fair gave our learners a glimpse of what it will take to excel in the competition. They are now more motivated than ever to step up their game and secure a spot in the national finals. 

The event was not only a financial success but also a valuable learning experience. Both teams gained insights into effective sales techniques and customer engagement, building confidence for future endeavours. For Cycled Up, the surprise of winning two awards was a highlight, while Reglow Glasswork’s ability to adapt under pressure showcased their resilience. 

The Young Enterprise programme continues to provide an enriching platform for learners to develop entrepreneurial skills, teamwork, and a competitive spirit. As the competition progresses, both teams are determined to use their experiences to rise to new challenges and achieve even greater success. 

If you are interested in joining our Sixth Form next September, click here.