Creating brighter futures

Recently, we welcomed Boris Zamba from the band Voodoo Ramble to the Michael Eavis Suite at Loxton Campus, performing live alongside The Blue Horizon, one of our very own alumni bands. Together, these two groups merged elements of the UK blues scene with Croatian influences, offering our Year 2 cohort of Level 3 TV, Film, and Creative Production students the chance to develop their skills in a real-world setting through live performance and hands-on music production. 

The TV, Film, and Creative Production students were immersed in numerous performance-making opportunities, while also showcasing their expertise by capturing footage of the event. Our Creative and Commercial Photography students documented every moment, working collaboratively to curate a fully produced live album and video, demonstrating their technical skills and artistic talent. 

The Blue Horizon anchored the rhythm section, supported by two of our Music students on backing vocals. This performance was a remarkable success, featuring dynamic collaboration led by music legend Boris Zamba on guitar and lead vocals. Despite facing some unexpected technical challenges, the students demonstrated resilience and professionalism, earning praise from the audience and guest performers alike. 

Jade Hicks, our Head of Performance and Production, reflected on the experience: “This project has been an exceptional opportunity for students to learn the end-to-end process of creating a commercial release.” She emphasised that students gained invaluable industry skills, including “technical setup, live sound engineering, visual capture, and post-production.” 

The event showcased phenomenal performances by the music students, The Blue Horizon, and Boris Zamba. Through this practical industry experience, students not only enhanced their confidence in performing but also opened doors for future networking opportunities in their musical journeys. 

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 see more about our Creative Arts courses, 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.

What is a T Level? 

T Levels are a new and emerging Further Education (FE) qualification that are available to all learners aged 16 to 19. It is the perfect blend of 20% theoretical knowledge and 80% practical experience to provide the learner with a holistic understanding of the industry. This not only improves the learners' skills and confidence, but it also provides invaluable hands-on experience and networking opportunities. 

It is difficult and daunting to know what you want to do after you finish here at Weston College, but once you have completed your T Level, there are many different progression routes available to you, whether that is a Degree Apprenticeship, University, or full-time employment. 

Degree Apprenticeship: 

You could choose to further your hands-on experience by applying for a Degree Apprenticeship and get a fully funded degree whilst earning a salary. Degree Apprenticeships are increasing in popularity as they have the best of both worlds, allowing you to obtain a Higher Education (HE) degree whilst also getting real-world work experience which many employers value.  

One student, Ben, was a former Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, T Level learner and completed his practical placement at Hydrock. Once his T Level was complete, Hydrock recognised Ben’s talent and hard work and kept him on as a degree apprentice through University Centre Weston (UCW). 

Ben said, “I have developed my technical skills and have had the chance to experience every aspect of different teams which has allowed me to broaden my overview of the industry and experience different areas that I could potentially go into.  

T Levels are definitely worth it! They’re concise and specific to the industry you’re interested in which gives you a great understanding of what to expect for the future.” 

University: 

On the other hand, T Levels do provide learners with UCAS points so you also have the option to go to university and further your knowledge of the subject. At the end of your T Level, you will achieve an overall grade of either a pass, merit, distinction, or distinction* which are equivalent in UCAS points to three A Levels. 

One learner, Grace, studied the Early Years Educator T Level and finished with a Distinction. Her work placement was completed at Stationhouse Nursery where she gained a lot of hands-on experience and got the opportunity to work there over summer. She has now progressed to Norland University which is famous for providing the very best early years training and education course. 

Grace said, “I would tell anyone considering a T Level to 100% go for it, especially if you have an idea of what you want to do!  

I think it is the best of both worlds, you will have UCAS points to go to university if you wish, but you also have the practical experience which sets you apart from everyone else and allows you to find a job straight away! It’s a lot of hard work but so worth it.” 

Employment: 

Alternatively, you can also go straight into work after completing your T Level. Many employers encourage work experience prior to employment which is exactly what a T Level provides due to the placement hours, but it also gives learners a large, theoretical knowledge base surrounding the subject. The practical element that a T Level provides is incomparable and is thought to be invaluable to employers. 

Jodine, a Business, Management and Leadership T Level learner, completed her T Level placement at Sytner Mercedes-Benz and was even offered employment after her T Level was complete. She worked hard throughout her placement, and it paid off, learning many skills and applying them excellently in practical scenarios. 

Jodine said, “I gained invaluable insights into each role and its responsibilities, enabling me to define my future career aspirations, which ultimately led to me getting an amazing job opportunity and joining the team. 

The challenges encountered during the placement have fortified my resilience, contributing to a comprehensive and enriched learning journey that seamlessly complements my academic curriculum. 

I would recommend a T Level because the work experience element of the course can open many doors.” 

Overall, T Levels are proving to be a fantastic opportunity for young adults to experience a real-life working environment and begin networking at an early stage. It allows them to experience the expectations and professionalism that an industry entails and put their theoretical knowledge into practice.  

If you are interested in applying for a T Level in September, click here. 

Weston College is delighted to announce its shortlisting for The Engineer’s 2024 Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Awards in the highly regarded STEM Initiative category.

This recognition highlights the College’s successful collaboration with local, national, and global employers to inspire the next generation of engineers and drive meaningful change in the engineering sector.

Now in its ninth year, the C2I Awards were established to spotlight exemplary engineering collaborations that address complex societal challenges and advance innovation.

Tracie Leahy, Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships & Skills at Weston College, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for this prestigious award, which underscores the dedication and effort invested daily at Weston College to promote STEM education and engineering apprenticeships.

“We are immensely proud of the impactful work happening at the College, and the key partnerships we have with organisations within the industry, to drive change.

“I’d like to extend my best wishes to all the other nominees ahead of the award ceremony in February.”

If you would like to study engineering at Weston College, please click here.

If you’re an employer looking to partner with the college, then please click here.