On Thursday 24th March, the AHT (Association of Hairdressers and Therapists) Southwest regional heats took place at Weston College.

AHT is a national competition that enhances learner technical and employability skills, as well as testing them under pressure to prepare them for the trade.

The Southwest heat welcomed learners from across the region, with many learners taking part.

14 Weston College learners competed, bridal hair, fantasy hair, barbering, ladies evening style, 1920’s Editorial make up, Halloween face paint, Carnival create an image and Higher-Level Body Paint, and impressed with their skills during the competitions.

Poppy said: “This has been an incredible experience. Getting the opportunity to compete against other likeminded students has really put my skills to the test and has helped me to become a better a hairdresser.

“I really enjoyed the task, especially getting the opportunity to bring my bridal creation to life whilst working under pressure. If you get the opportunity to compete in the AHT competition, I’d recommend it, it has been fantastic.”

Jenna Ratcliffe, FE Curriculum Co-ordinator for Hair and Beauty at Weston College said: “It has been a pleasure to host the AHT regional heats, and the standard of work produced has blown us away. Competitions like this one, enhance creativity and contribute to the wider development of students and enhance the development of higher technical skills – something we are really passionate about at Weston College.

“We are really proud of our learners and their achievements, a huge congratulations to Daniel Green, Natasha Thomas, Kaci Moger, Olivia Layfield, Poppy Dowle, Ashleigh Hughes, Megan Hustcroft, Bel Gardner, Jasmine Haines, Julia Kmiecik, Claire Cox (UCW) who have won regional heats in their competitions, and good luck in the finals.”

Find out more about our Hair and Beauty Career Excellence Hub, by clicking here.

In response to the heart-breaking events in Ukraine our Fashion, Textiles, Art and Photography A Level learners have been busy during the past few weeks making accessories in preparation to launch their pop-up shop 'Spread love, not war'.

Second year Sixth Form learner Lilly Alden, headed up the initiative. Lilly had a best friend in Ukraine who needed help financially to get her and her Mother out of the country. After setting up a gofund me page, Lilly managed to raise £1600 in under 5 days. They are now safe in Istanbul.

Lilly added:

"After raising all that money, me and my aunt felt the heartfelt desire to do something more. She had the idea to get the official Getty licensing of Zelinsky's face. We then printed the designs on Shirts and tote bags and set up a Shopify in under 24 hours.

"I designed the black and white digital T-shirt with the help of college staff Nick Reardon. We collaborated with charity ‘Hope and homes for children’ where they have three bases in Ukraine for orphaned children. We have a big team working behind the scenes helping us!"

Lilly currently studies A Levels in Psychology, Art and French at the Sixth Form at Loxton Campus. Teaming up with her peers to promote the cause, the handmade shop was initiated by A Level fashion students, aided by their lecturer Nicola Stent.

Hours were spent measuring, cutting, printing and sewing. Applying creative talents and skills learnt at college to produce bespoke lino prints, broaches, tote bags and more!

Here is a list of the hand-made products that were produced:

• Screen-printed Tote bags
• Flower broaches
• Flower headbands
• Hand-made lino prints
• Scrunches
• Bracelets
• Feather brooch
• T-shirts

Students were also offering delivery to those who couldn't make it in - true entrepreneurship!

Lilly continued: 

"People can help by purchasing our shirt and tote bags on the Shopify website and taking a photo and tagging us @Pompomukraine to raise more awareness.

"The money raised is an ongoing outcome as the shop at college will be open for weeks however our Shopify sales are going very well!

"The staff at college helped tremendously with bringing our products to the pop up shop at college encouraging and inspiring me. Nicola Stent, Nick Reardon and Charlotte Hawk helped with the presentation. 

"I thoroughly enjoy studying at Weston College and feel supported to continue studying, expressing myself and produce the highest outcome of work thanks to the amazing staff and community."

With the help of Milo and Paige, Sixth Form student Alan Sibi also set up a "Yellow and Blue Day" where students from across the campus would pay £2 to wear yellow and blue to represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag - £314 raised from this activity alone.

All proceeds will be donated to The Red Cross to support their prodigious efforts for the people of Ukraine.

Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, Dr Paul Phillips CBE visited the pop-up shop with Chair of Governors Andrew Leighton-Price.

Dr Paul commented: "With the absolutely appalling situation we are witnessing in Ukraine, it warms my heart to see learners engaging with the news and taking social action to support those in need. Their generosity shines through and perfectly demonstrates the ethos of what being a Weston College learner is all about. 

"As a College we are very engaged in terms of both fundraising and also supplying much needed clothes and materials to the refugee collection points. My staff have and students have been donating items via collection points throughout the campuses, headed up by our Service Sector team.

Thank-you to Lilly, the Loxton learners and to all staff."

We look forward to seeing how much is raised from these incredible efforts!

Click here to:

Visit Lilly's Shopify page to purchase items and donate money to their cause

Learn more about the A Level courses available at Weston College Sixth Form

In support of the Queen’s Green Canopy, Weston College in partnership with Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity at Butcombe Farm has planted their second tree, strengthening North Somerset’s position on the Queen’s Green Canopy map.

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a national campaign that was created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. With a focus on reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainability, the initiative encourages people from across the country to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. Once planted, the trees are then uploaded to the official QGC website and interactive map for all to see.

Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity is a philanthropic venture that works in partnership with the College with its innovatively designed alternative outdoor classroom model - providing real world learning at the heart of the farms’ chilli cuisine production. Lecturer in Foundation Learning Pete Lane was joined by learners Krista, Jamie, Rebecca and Amelia to plant a morello cherry tree on the site.

Following its first tree planting Weston College is currently running a student and staff competition to encourage tree planting in support of this unique community initiative. Prizes of £100/£50 Amazon vouchers are on offer for first and second prizes for the best picture of students and staff with their trees planted at home, and its Principal Dr Paul Phillips CBE is encouraging members of the public, schools, charities and businesses across the West of England to get their trees pinned to the map to capture all the great work that is going on locally.

Dr Phillips commented: “Fantastic to see more roots in the ground as more trees are planted across the region. This is a project that the whole community can get involved with and we're continuing to encourage everyone to follow in our footsteps by planting a tree for the Jubilee. Many have planted but have not yet pinned to the map, so don’t delay pin today - this is great map to evidence your carbon offsetting and receive a nice virtual commemorative plaque for the Jubilee”

The campaign, along with many upcoming green initiatives, falls under Weston College's new Sustainability and Social Action Framework which will soon be launched to promote sustainable practices and projects across the college and the wider community.

The principal continues: “As a College, our wider sustainability work is leading the region whether this is working with businesses to create green apprenticeships, or supporting people to retain for green careers, we are supporting many organisations achieve the change required to collectively work towards ‘Net Zero’ - and this very much includes innovative social action projects such as this one to build stronger, greener communities.”.

Visit www.queensgreencanopy.org to see who’s already planted in your area and how to pin your tree to the interactive Jubilee map, as well as to find out more information to engage with wider sustainability in support of Her Majesty the Queen. The best tree planting season is till the end of March, and restarts in October for the end of the year.

Weston College’s Foundation Learning Football Academy is going from strength to strength, as they sit top of the league.

This is the first year that the team have entered the league format, and with impressive wins against colleges such as Truro, Plymouth and Petroc under their belt, the team are on track to win the league.

It isn’t just their football skills on the pitch that are impressing either, with their coach, Joe Radcliffe, saying: “The learners have developed fantastically this season, and it is clear to see that they have grown in confidence, built new friendships, and show terrific resilience.”

Joe went on to share about the sportsmanship shown by one of his players: “Last week, one of our more accomplished footballers subbed himself off so that a learner that wasn’t as confident could take a penalty, and not only did he score the resulting spot kick, but he was absolutely made up – a fantastic testament to the camaraderie and selflessness of this team."

The team are competing on other fronts as well as the league, as they have qualified to represent the South West at the AOC National Finals in Nottingham, and also to represent the South West at St. Georges Park (World Class training environment, home of the Football Association).

Joe added: “I am so proud of this team, they continue to impress us every week, and we look forward to seeing how the rest of the season pans out.”

Nick Chadwick, one of the other coaches for the Academy, said: “It is inspiring to coach this group of players, who work hard for each other in order to be the best that they can. I’m so proud to be involved with this team, and they deserve every success that they are achieving.”

A huge well done to the team, and good luck for the rest of the season.

Weston College’s Hospitality and Catering Career Excellence Hub, has been awarded national success, named as Outstanding Industry Partnerships award winners at The Professional Association of Catering Education (PACE) awards.

PACE is the representative body for hospitality and catering education with a regional and national network of members, and these awards are a celebration of the work that happens on a daily basis in education to develop the future workforce of the hospitality industry.

Weston College was commended for its work during the pandemic, and the opportunities that were created for learners through working with employers, despite difficult circumstances.

Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty for Hospitality, said: “We are so pleased to have won this award, as it reflects the hard work and dedication of not only our staff, but also our students, who continue to impress us and raise the profile of the work we do.

“Our team doesn’t stand still, and we are always looking to create opportunities that will benefit our learners, and that is demonstrated in this award.

“One of the aspects that we were commended for, was our links with employers, and how we deliver regular masterclasses which offers our learners a unique and exciting way to develop their skills – experiencing a range of techniques. We must thank our endorsing employers who work so closely with our curriculum it allows our learners to learn from their journeys, expertise and experience. But also the importance of experience, whether that be through placements or working live events, which is a key part of our delivery at Weston College.”

A huge well done to the Hospitality and Catering team. If you would like to study one of our hospitality courses, you can find out more information, here.

Our Fashion and Textiles learners at Loxton Campus had the amazing opportunity of hosting a guest lecture from local business owner and dressmaker, Abigail Westrup.  

Abi set up her business Abigail Westrup Bridal in 2010 in her parent's spare bedroom after she moved back to the Bristol area from her previous design job in London. Since then, the business has massively grown and is now one of the most recommended bridal alterations/dressmaking businesses across the South West and has won numerous awards over the years. 

During the lecture local business owner Abi discussed what it is like to work within the industry and shared her knowledge to inspire our learners to become the next generation of seamstresses/dressmakers/pattern cutters and business owners! 

All our Creative Arts courses are taught at our Loxton Campus, the home, heart, and hub of creative arts in Weston. Learners are taught by industry professionals, and are encouraged to find their voice, express their personality in a multitude of art forms and blossom beyond their expectations. 

Our Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Fashion and Textiles course gives our learners the chance to explore fashion across a range of disciplines. They will develop an understanding of fashion by experiencing varied disciplines across fashion design, production, digital media, communication, and fashion business. 

The Fashion and Textiles A-Level course offers the exciting opportunity for our learners to embrace textile art, textile design and elements of fashion looking at the design industry from an artist’s perspective. It introduces our learners to the contemporary approach of the industry and encourage them to flourish as potential textile designers. 

This Fashion and Textiles courses are a part of the Creative Arts Career Excellence Hub. These innovative subject specific hubs allow for students at Weston College to have access to exclusive opportunities. Endorsed by employers from within the industry, this enables for better integration with the sector to make sure class content is relative and opens doors for learners, so they leave college with more than just a qualification. 

Click here to:

• Learn more about the Fashion and Textiles A Level course
• Find out more about the Level 3 UAL Fashion and Textiles course
• Discover the Art & Design courses on offer
• Read more about Career Excellence Hubs 

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Over 40 students were recognised for their outstanding achievements over the last academic year at Weston College’s annual awards event, Celebration of Success. 

The pandemic may have posed many challenges for learners across the country, but Weston College students raised to that challenge, overcame hurdles, and succeeded despite the odds. Hosted at the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare, Celebration of Success returned for 2022 with a gala style event to recognise the outstanding commitment and achievements of its students. 

Weston College teaches over 30,000 students a year across all levels for school leavers and a diverse range of courses for adults to re-train and upskill. Students of all ages and disciplines were nominated by College staff for their incredible contributions to their study programme and the wider community, accomplishing greatness and succeeding against all odds. 

Once nominated Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Philips CBE decided on the winners for each subject focused award as well as special awards for cross-college achievements. 

As part of the evening, the smartly dressed guests were treated to a delicious 3 course meal, made by the College’s Hospitality and Catering students as well as performances from Level 3 Performing Arts and University Centre Weston’s (UCW) BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students. 

With the prestigious ceremony underway, one-by-one, the winning students were announced and took to the stage with thunderous applause from family, friends, and special guests. They were presented with their award, certificate and prize by Chair of Governors, Andrew Leighton-Price. 

Honeyfield Property Services were the main event sponsors and their Director Jon Patch presented cheques of £250 for our Further Education and Adult Students of the Year, to Charlotte Williams and Chloe O’nion respectively. 

Charrlotte, has since been offered a sponsored Level 4 qualification through her employer. She commented: “I thought it was incredible. I was really shocked and obviously really happy to have won this award. 

“The best thing to make a college really good is the lecturers being welcoming and always there to help and that’s exactly what Weston College provides.” 

Sport Student of the Year Cassidy Escott, who now studies at Loughborough University, commented: “I was lucky enough to be in the same room as Bristol Bears and that work placement really set me up for University.  

“There's so much knowledge in the college and there are no other words that I can say other than ‘outstanding’.” 

Weston College Group Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Philips CBE commented:  

“Congratulations to everyone tonight, getting to this stage from 30,000 learners is no mean feat.  My talented Governors and staff, the excellent learners all point to brilliance.  

“Tonight is a real celebration of the success of our learners and those that have supported them.  

“When I witness first-hand the brilliance and talent of my learners and staff it makes me so very proud. Proud not just for their success but for the dynamism and entrepreneurship of everyone across the organisation.” 

The evening continued with several awards to recognise the teams of Business learners that took part in the Weston Hospicecare Business Enterprise Challenge. This challenge saw local businesses advising and investing in the young entrepreneurs to set up their own business and to generate profits that were donated to Weston Hospicecare, the College presented Weston Hospicecare with a cheque for the total money raised by all the Business Learners, for £2,667. 

On Wednesday 16th March 2022, Weston College as a joint effort between our Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and our College Collaboration Fund Project, saw Sam Mayhew, SEND Director and Ben Knocks, Assistant Principal host a Wellbeing Summit.

The Summit was attended by over 120 people from across the country at a time when self-care and wellbeing has never been more important; this was a ground-breaking event as it was the first-time staff, students, employers, and apprentices were brought together to learn about the impact of trauma and how to navigate the challenges faced in what is still an exceptionally difficult environment.

Also, at part of the Summit The Big House, delivered a fantastic thought-provoking performance of ‘Bullet Tongue Reloaded’, with the group facilitating a discussion on the importance of college programmes focussing on the hidden curriculum. One young person shared her important phrase ‘failure isn’t final’ to articulate how she had overcome so many challenges and learnt so much from her experience to strive for success.

Other contributors included a workshop from James Summerhayes, a Weston College SEND Advanced Practitioner, who started the day with contextualising the impact of trauma on young people. Sandy Day, a UCW Curriculum Coordinator gave attendees an overview of how to create trauma responsive classrooms and work environments and, Georgie Ford, the College’s Excellence Lead - Mental Health delivered a session on understanding and developing emotional literacy.

Participant feedback on the summit included:

‘Thank you, today was very powerful and shows just how the impact of unresolved trauma can impact in a contextual way’ Teacher feedback

‘Today has given me so much to think about, it has taken me out of my comfort zone and given me real food for thought’ Employer feedback

To find out more about the Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) please visit: Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): | Special Educational Needs and Disability (excellencegateway.org.uk)