News and events

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.