News and events

Last month, some of our incredible staff (Hannah Carstensen, Business & Tourism Lecturer, Dan Pratlett, Business Lecturer, Tracy Taylor, Faculty Hub Coordinator, and James Lockyer, Apprentice Support Worker) took a group of 34 Business and Travel & Tourism learners to New York City!

The group visited the city for five days, managing to fit in as many activities as possible, including Liberty and Ellis Island, a Wall Street and Financial District Tour, Ground Zero and the 9/11 Museum, a boat tour, 5th Avenue, Central Park, High Line, and the Empire State Building.

The visit has been the faculty’s first international trip since the Coronavirus Pandemic, and Dan Pratlett commented that it was fantastic to see all the learners being able to experience this incredible opportunity.

The feedback from the learners who went on the trip has been nothing but positive, with one learner saying: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, with everything included in the trip you’re getting far more than what you paid for. It’s great to socialise with new people and explore a new environment too!”

A year 3 UCW Business and Management learner said: “The trip was a perfect blend of tourism, heritage, and culture! The structure of the trip allowed flexibility around a set activity program allowing the chance to visit the must-sees with group benefits, whilst, letting us explore our own interests in NYC (mine was food and the Natural History Museum)! Basically, a very good trip!”

As well as fantastic comments from the learners, some parents also reached out to thank the teachers and the College for the trip: “I just wanted to thank you all so much. My daughter had an amazing time in New York. I hope they behaved! Memories that will last a lifetime!”

Another happy parent wrote: “We appreciate the amount of time and effort that goes into organising trips with young people. My daughter really enjoyed the trip, and we are very proud of her for taking part with such a mature attitude towards the whole experience.”

We are so proud to be able to offer incredible opportunities such as these to our learners. Click here if you would be interested in learning more about Business or Travel and Tourism courses.

It’s not every day that you get to witness the beginning of a band’s journey to greatness. Before performing on stages at Glastonbury, signing record labels and selling out arenas, The Like-Minded are busy honing their craft and completing assignments! 

The four-piece indie band from Weston-super-Mare is comprised of Weston College Music Performance and Production students Harlee (vocals and rhythm), Mikey (lead guitar), Ewan (bass guitar) and Toby (drums). 

They are currently taking the local scene by storm, performing in Weston, Bristol and the surrounding areas. The band also regularly gets featured on various radio stations. Harlee tells us: “Our tutor Oz had got us played on radio stations like Apple Radio, Wave radio and Weston Wave Radio.” When asked what it felt like to hear The Like-Minded on the radio, he went on to say “I think it really hit us when we uploaded our songs to the BBC Upload and got them played enough to the point where we are a regular name to them now.” 

The band were also recently invited into the BBC Radio Bristol studio to play a live session and be interviewed by presenter, Adam Crowther, about their newest EP “Clean Up On Aisle Me.” something, they told us, was “a truly crazy moment” - a moment that will no doubt become a key milestone in the groups’ ever-blossoming career. 

Harlee, Ewan and Toby are Weston-locals, meeting at Priory Community School before consolidating the band at Weston College with the addition of Mikey, who went to Hans Price Academy. Their course, Music Performance and Production, is all about developing performance techniques and improving song writing, as well as encouraging learners to diversify skills and providing the opportunity to record in professional recording studios and perform in live music venues. 

The Like-Minded talk about performing being their favourite thing to do. Harlee says: “Things have been going better than we assumed they would, we have played two small festivals and have been able to record and release our first EP. We hope to get a lot more gigs down as performing is what we really love doing.” He goes on to talk more about the opportunities their course and tutors have provided, saying: “We all agree that our tutor Oz has given us so many great opportunities that have pushed our name out there, all because he believes in us and thinks that we have something to share.” 

We caught up with Oz, Music Instructor and Technician, who the band accredit so much of their success to. He told us: “As learners, they (The Like-Minded) demonstrate a focused and professional attitude. They have listened, learnt, retained and applied gained knowledge that is constantly creating opportunities. I am very proud of them all and will continue to support their efforts.” 

Finally, when asked what the future of The Like-Minded looks like, the group said: “We believe that, for as long as the public enjoys having us, and we're happy to do it, we will continue to write, record, and play live until we're all old men.”  

We’re so proud of Harlee, Ewan, Toby and Mikey’s work ethic and success, and we can’t wait to see where they go next! 

To find out more about Music Performance and Production, click here. 

I’m Libby Heath-Tavener, and I’m one of the Quality Managers here at Weston College. Lauren Rogers (Exams Administration Co-ordinator) and I are very involved with supporting LGBTQ+ at the college through the EDI committee and part of the ‘LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group’.

On Friday, 24th February, we ran an information, support and celebration stall for LGBTQ+ at Knightstone campus reception for staff and learners. There was information about the LGBTQ+ community from key terminology, to the support that is available, as well as a sign up to our LGBTQ+ learner societies and Staff Proud Allies society. There was also a raffle to raise money for one of the college’s key charities (voted for by the Students Union): Young Minds. We were able to raise £404.90 and we’re so thankful to everyone who donated!

I believe it is crucial to have initiatives such as these within the college, as it is integral for visibility. There is so much diversity, with so much to celebrate, but this is not always visible. The stall and celebration during LGBT History Month is our small way of showing visibility, growing support and connection, as well as helping people understand how to be allies. I’m hopeful that this will increase the awareness of the community, as well as how to be inclusive and friendly in our communication, interaction, and our view of the world. We want to show there is a community here, and it is proud!

Diversity is a fact and inclusion is an act- everyone should try and be upstanders and allies for marginalised communities. We need to celebrate the invisible and make it visible to build belonging- in college and in society.

If you would be interested in getting involved with similar initiatives in the future, staff can join the ‘Proud Allies’ Teams group to share any ideas and ask questions they may have. Learners can join the LGBTQ+ society for similar resources and opportunities. For anyone with big and bold ideas, they can contact myself or Lauren Rogers directly who are key leads for LGBTQ+ at the college, working on behalf of the EDI committee!

You can find resources for support, below.