Creating brighter futures

Last month, Weston College proudly hosted the regional heats of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Competition. As one of several heats held across the UK, the event welcomed Further and Higher Education students, adult learners, and apprentices from Hairdressing and Makeup & Prosthetics courses across Weston, Bristol, and Bath to compete for a spot in the national finals. 

The all-day event featured a wide range of competitions spread throughout the college, challenging students in both technical skill and creativity. From haircuts and styling to makeup and prosthetics, each category pushed learners to demonstrate their expertise while showcasing their artistic flair. 

Hairdressing competitions were exclusive to Further Education students and varied in difficulty. Tasks ranged from commercial and feminine blow-dries, and cut and finish challenges, to more complex categories like freestyle work on textured hair and fantasy hairdressing. Each competition gave learners the opportunity to work independently, competing against their peers from across the South West under time pressure in a professional setting. 

Meanwhile, the Makeup & Prosthetics categories welcomed both FE and HE students, offering unique themes and complete creative freedom. Competitions included body painting, face painting, Editorial Vogue-inspired makeup, and Moulin Rouge designs. The diverse range of tasks allowed students to experiment with different techniques and media, creating original and innovative designs beyond the typical curriculum. 

Hospitality and Catering students also played an important role in the event, providing a delicious buffet that was praised by visiting colleges and guests. 

After a day of impressive displays of talent and creativity, the results were counted, and a small awards ceremony was held. Out of 90 students competing from across the South West, 13 Weston College learners secured their place in the finals, which will be held in Blackpool this May. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College and AHT Chair for the South West, highlighted the importance of competitions like this for students’ personal and professional development. She shared, “The AHT Competition helps to support our learners' careers, allowing them to meet like-minded people aspiring for the same career. It provides them with hands-on experience that enhances their skills and prepares them for the future.” 

A huge thank you goes to VTCT for sponsoring and judging the competition, Stylebook Directory for their support, and all the AHT judges and industry specialists who dedicated their time and expertise to the day. 

Congratulations to every student who took part in the competition, and best of luck to those heading to the finals. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Makeup & Prosthetics or Hairdressing & Barbering courses, click here. 

Last month, Health and Social Care students took part in Health and Social Care Future Skills Week, a week-long project focused on developing important skills for their future careers. Each day gave students the chance to learn something new, work with professionals, and explore different areas of the health and social care sector. 

The week started with a wellbeing day, where students worked with the Student Engagement Team, taking part in activities designed to help them look after their own wellbeing, including art therapy, a gym induction, and an afternoon of sports. This gave students time to focus on their own health and welfare and learn ways to stay healthy in the future. 

On Tuesday, students met with guest speakers from different areas of Health and Social Care. Nick Mallett from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston shared his experience in nursing, as well as Jenny Gamlin, a community midwife and health visitor, Michelle Clarke, a respiratory specialist, and Clare Waggett, an occupational therapist, also discussed their roles and what they entail. These sessions provided our learners with a better understanding of the various career options available in the sector. 

Wednesday was all about learning key workplace skills. Students took part in training for manual handling, first aid, and learned about National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) and Sepsis 6. These are essential skills that are required for students who wish to begin working in the health and social care sector. 

On Thursday, students took part in the ‘100 New Ideas’ project where they worked in teams with students from different levels to come up with creative ideas to support older people’s health and wellbeing. Their ideas were part of a campaign by the St Monica Trust, and the best ones were chosen by a panel of judges. The winning teams received prizes, and their ideas were shared with St Monica Trust. 

The winning idea from our students was to facilitate a bus service between their care villages in Bristol and North Somerset. This would allow residents to participate in events across the organisation, visit people they may know and meet new people. Students also came up with ideas to support dental care, a dating service to build friendships and relationships, and creating more spaces for a variety of worship.

Health and Social Care Future Skills Week provided our students with opportunities to experience different career pathways with industry professionals. It was an excellent way to network and build connections, but also prepare them for a variety of sectors with invaluable information from hands-on workshops and informative guest lectures. 

Thank you to the industry professionals who took the time to visit our Health and Social Care students and share your first-hand experience. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Health and Social Care courses, click here.

Weston College is proud to announce that it has successfully retained its ISO 27001 certification for the sixth consecutive year, following a rigorous audit conducted between 10th – 13th February 2025. This certification reaffirms the College’s ongoing commitment to the highest information security management standards.

ISO 27001 is the internationally recognised standard for information security, ensuring that organisations implement best practices in safeguarding sensitive data. Retaining this certification highlights Weston College’s proactive approach to risk management, data protection, and cybersecurity, setting it apart as one of the few Further Education (FE) colleges in the UK to consistently meet this prestigious standard.

Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, expressed her pride in this achievement: “Maintaining our ISO 27001 certification for six years in a row is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our staff in ensuring the security of our information systems. As a College, we continuously strive to uphold the highest levels of data protection, ensuring that our students, staff, and stakeholders can trust in our robust security measures. This certification demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence in digital security.”

The successful audit underscores the College’s adherence to best practices in information security, assuring students, employer partners, and regulatory bodies that Weston College remains at the forefront of secure and innovative education services.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.