<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Last week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut… 2 Beauty Therapy</u></a> students were treated to an inspiring and educational visit from Claire, a seasoned beauty professional representing <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.outbackorganics.co.uk/"><u>Outback Organics</u></a>. The session was a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand knowledge from an expert whose career has spanned continents and specialities.&nbsp;</p><p>Claire’s extensive career journey captivated the students as she shared her experiences, which began in London, where she trained and worked before jetting on an exciting career aboard luxury cruise ships. Her expertise and passion took her around the globe, first to New Zealand and later to Australia, where she navigated the beauty industry as a product seller. Throughout her career, Claire has developed a wide range of skills, from nails and facials to body massages, and now specialises in waxing, eyebrow shaping, and permanent makeup.&nbsp;</p><p>Currently working with Outback Organics, Claire champions the company’s line of botanical skincare products. Outback Organics blend cutting-edge cosmetic ingredients with natural Australian extracts from the coastline, forests, and bushlands, making them a perfect fit for spas, salons, and beauty therapists, as well as individual users.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Claire from Outback Organics giving the students an underarm wax demonstration&quot;" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4722d426-1ce2-4824-a04a-3d4cdf7b14ff" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_750x750&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>Focusing on underarm and leg waxing, she walked the students through the process step-by-step, covering everything from skin preparation and waxing techniques to essential after-care practices. These practical demonstrations provided students with a hands-on look at professional waxing techniques, along with insider tips and tricks to help them excel in their future careers.&nbsp;</p><p>Jenna, Head of Service Sectors, reflected on the visit, stating, “Claire's visit today was particularly inspiring for the students. Plenty of them are interested in pursuing a career in waxing, so having an experienced beauty therapist visit provided them an insight into what their career could look like. The students were impressed by Claire's expertise in the field, this goes to show how important industry involvement in their studies is!”&nbsp;</p><p>The visit from Claire and Outback Organics highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience, leaving a lasting impression on the students.&nbsp;</p><p>This partnership forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/ceh-hair-and-beauty"><u>Hair and Beauty Careers Excellence Hub.</u></a> Weston College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>To find out about what courses we have to offer for Hair and Beauty, please <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/ceh-hair-and-beauty"><u>click here.</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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.</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">We are proud to share the inspiring journey of Gemma, a 2022 Sixth Form graduate and Weston College's A Level Student of the Year 2023 who has gone on to pursue her passion for French at the prestigious University of London Institute in Paris!&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">Gemma chose to study at Weston College after attending an Open Day and being impressed by the engaging teachers and tailored courses, “my sister had attended the College before me and had a positive experience, so it seemed like a no-brainer”.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">During her time at Weston College, Gemma honed essential skills like time management, organisation, and persuasive writing, which have proven to be invaluable in her academic journey. “My French teacher really prepared me well not only for the A-level exams, but for further education too. My Law teacher was incredible; she boosted my self-confidence and taught us all how to write very convincing arguments with evidence and support to back them up, something that I’ve carried with me through University.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">Gemma’s journey didn’t go without challenges, balancing A-level studies with university applications, she had the generous support of her tutors. From writing personal statements to balancing revision, she felt comfortable to gain help from her tutors, learning that she could attend revision sessions while maintaining a healthy life-work balance.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">One of Gemma’s standout memories from Weston College was the build-up to exams and her continued success in French class. "We had finished learning the content for our French exams, and so every week we would use the time to complete a past paper and this one particular week I managed to get 98% correct! It was just a little confidence boost leading up to exams and confirmed for myself that I had made the right decision to choose to study French at University.” She dedicates her success to her lecturer, Emilie, who had been an integral part of her experience at Sixth Form. Gemma recalls “it was so nice that both of our hard work was paying off!” She also fondly recalls a mock trial in her Law class, organised by Octavia (her Law lecturer) that combined fun with practical learning.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">Gemma credits her passion for French to an early secondary school teacher whose enthusiasm left a lasting impression. Her love for the language blossomed at Weston College thanks to equally passionate and supportive teachers. "They kept my motivation high and inspired me to continue studying French and look into Further Education."&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">Now in her final year of a French Studies degree, Gemma is thriving in Paris, and deep into her dissertation writing. She describes the city as the perfect place to study, work, and live, filled with free museums, libraries, vibrant cafes, and an exciting nightlife. Her next goal is to complete a master’s in teaching English and begin her teaching career in France. “I’m definitely not ready to leave Paris after my Undergraduate degree and I’ve always wanted to teach over in France, so I’m really looking forward to this next chapter and hoping it all goes smoothly!”.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;" data-teams="true">Reflecting on her experience, Gemma has had an exciting journey from walking through the Sixth Form doors, to jetting off to the beautiful city of Paris.&nbsp;"I had a great experience at the College; it made me more independent, confident and prepared me well for everything I wanted to accomplish after college. The teachers I had were fun, engaging and supportive and ultimately, I wouldn’t be where I am now, if I hadn’t had had their support" She also sends her thanks to the College’s careers officer, who encouraged her to apply to Oxford. Although being offered a place at both the University of London Institute in Paris and Oxford University,&nbsp;Gemma ultimately chose Paris; and was deeply appreciative of the officer’s continued support.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This week, former Weston College student Charlotte Nottage returned to give a guest lecture to the current </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank">Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners with her journey and insights into the available career paths made possible by their studies. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Charlotte also completed a </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank">Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> at Weston College before progressing to University Centre Weston (UCW), accredited by UWE,&nbsp;to study a Foundation degree in Biological Laboratory Science. She is now completing a top up year at UWE to gain her&nbsp;BSc degree and has recently been accepted onto a master's program in Applied Transfusion and Transplantation Science at UWE, where she will work with leading specialists at the NHS Blood and Transplant headquarters in Filton.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">During her guest lecture, Charlotte shared how the Health and Social Care course at college provided her with both classroom and real-world experience, opening her eyes to laboratory sciences which she may not have previously discovered. It allowed her to progress to university to continue her studies, providing her with many exciting opportunities and career pathways including biological and biomedical research, environmental sciences, and food sciences. &nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">To give the learners a better understanding of her university course, she outlined the modules and subjects that she has studied, including current modules such as medical microbiology, neuroscience, and developmental science, to create&nbsp;a clear picture of what the course entails.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Charlotte also emphasized the critical role of internships and work experience in building her career. Not only did she complete industry placements at college, but she also went above and beyond during her degree by completing a summer internship at Thatchers, where she explored the chemistry behind cider production. According to Charlotte, not only did this experience enhance her lab skills but it also provided her with fantastic transferable skills that could be applied to practical scenarios.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The session was interactive and engaging, with Charlotte asking questions, offering tips, and providing guidance that she wished she had received as a student. Her advice made a more meaningful impact because she had been in the learners’ position not long ago.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Samantha Kier, our Health and Social Care Lab Technician, reflected on the impact of the session, saying “Charlotte gave the learners lots of tips to get the most out of their BTEC qualification which I think was really useful, and it was really valuable for the learners to see how diverse the future career paths open to them are.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Thank you to Charlotte for visiting our learners and giving them an idea of what their future could look like whilst broadening their understanding of potential careers.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt…; target="_blank">If you are interested in applying to a Health and Social Care course, click here.</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p>