Creating brighter futures

Weston College students in the A Level Media class were treated to an enlightening guest lecture by Sheikh Shahnawaz (Nawaz), Managing Director and Co-founder of Ozel Creative. Nawaz, a seasoned professional in the creative industry, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the eager students. While discussing Ozel Creative, he discussed the challenges and triumphs of creating a brand with a vast client base for marketing and social media.  

In addition to Nawaz managing Ozel Creative, he is also a freelance film director and producer. He has recently directed, written and produced a feature film “Bluff” which is available to stream on Amazon Prime. He has also directed and produced several other exciting projects.  

Nawaz sought to inspire the learners he was speaking to saying: “Don't underestimate your resources available as a student. Go out there and experiment with different forms of media on your devices. I always knew that I wanted to make stuff, so I started out by using handi-cams from college to film random videos.  

“You might want to approach different organisations and ask to make free content for them. You might want to apply for media work experiences based on your interests. You might want to go with your friends to film a passion project on your phone! That's how I started, with that little curiosity!”  

A Level Media lecturer Ethan Shi was delighted by the guest lecture saying: “It was really fantastic to see Nowaz giving key insights to the creative industries to my Y1 learners, sharing what it takes to succeed by working your way up from A-Level Media.  

“It's really important to explore every opportunity! The industry talk will motivate the learners to discover their passion and really want to pursue their key interest!" 

This guest speaker forms part of the Sixth Form 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. 

The outsider knowledge and perspective will help the A Level Media class better understand their Advertising & Marketing module where they were analysing and evaluating a variety of print and audio-visual products by acknowledging how it's made, its purpose, industry context, and audience delivery. 

A huge thanks to Nawaz for inspiring our learners! 

To find out more about A Level Media click here, to find out more about all of our A Levels click here. 

On Wednesday 22nd November, teams from across Weston College took over the Weston Job Centre Plus, to showcase the opportunities and courses of all levels which are available to adults.  

From an idea that stemmed in the summer, which the Department for Work and Pensions supported, the initiative was able to turn into a rewarding and worthwhile event, helping adults progress towards employment. 

Tutors and support staff across a wide range of faculties including Pre-Employment, Part Time/Full Time Adult Courses, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Access to HE, Bootcamps and ESOL were in attendance, offering advice on the best next steps to those who came along. 

The Job Centre welcomed over 300 people on the day, resulting in a fantastic number of sign-ups to courses of all levels, giving the opportunity for upskilling, retraining or beginning a new career. 

The Hair and Beauty department were offering free haircuts and manicures, and the Digital Education team bought along their VR headsets. The free activities created a welcoming and inclusive environment, and were a highly positive addition to the event.  

Mike Hudson, Strategic Lead – Recruitment Adult Studies, commented on the success of the event: “Here at Weston College, we understand the impact that upskilling and retraining can have on an individual's career. This is why we choose to run events such as these, making them as inclusive and accessible as possible to get advice and guidance to those who require it. 

“I’m thrilled with the success of the event and the positive feedback I have received since. It would not have been possible without the incredible team at the Job Centre, the DWP and, of course, the Weston College staff – it really goes to show what a bit of collaboration can achieve.” 

Click here to find out more about our adult courses.

Weston College's Foundation Learning Football Academy is making headlines, as they qualify to represent the South West at the AoC National Finals, taking place in April at Nottingham University.

Qualification was secured in a stunning 6-0 victory against Yeovil College, a testament to the team's dedication and collaborative spirit, with star of the match, Lucas Adams, showcasing his skills with an impressive hattrick.

Nick Chadwick, one of the team’s coaches, expressed pride in the players' hard work and commitment: “This journey to the National Finals is a testament to the incredible dedication and inclusive ethos of our team. Every player, contributes to our success, fostering a true sense of unity and sportsmanship.”

Joe Radcliffe, one of the other coaches echoed these thoughts, saying: “We have seen some amazing performances, with the team scoring lots of goals on route to the final. The team continue to impress us every match, and we’re looking forward to the finals in April.”

As they gear up for the National Finals at Nottingham University, the team is poised for another thrilling chapter in their remarkable journey.

A huge well done to the team, and good luck in the finals!