News and events
We aim to keep you up-to-date with the very latest Weston College news and events. Take a look below at what's going on at the College!
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Latest events at Weston College
Latest news and developments at Weston College
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.
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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)
Weston College is sponsoring the brand-new initiative, The North Somerset Business Show, which is being organised by County Business Shows Ltd.
The North Somerset Business Show is a festival of business and innovation, which explores topical issues, all with the aim of supporting local employers.
The action-packed event is taking place at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare, on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th March. It will feature 32 skills sessions, where employers can gain a greater insight into key themes, such as:
- Skills – A Catalyst for Regional Growth
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Mental Health in the Workplace
- Digital Security – Better Resilient Business
- The Business Imperative of Net Zero
- Building Better Hybrid
- + many more
As well as the skills sessions, there is also a live business exhibition, with businesses of all sizes showcasing at the event.
Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth and Employer Engagement at Weston College, said: “We’re really excited that The North Somerset Business Show is coming to Weston.
“The line-up looks fantastic, with so many topics that will support local employers to address challenges in their organisation, embrace creative problem solving, and also to grow their business.”
Find out more about the events, and book your place, by visiting Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/county-business-shows-ltd-15454231628
