Remembrance Day is a day we should never forget. It is a day to remember the members of the Armed Forces who fought hard for us but sadly lost their lives during the war. The 11th November marked the end of the First World War and has been honoured ever since. 

Here at Weston College, our Uniformed Protective Services (UPS) students went above and beyond the normal traditions by creating their own poppy display on the 7th floor of Knightstone campus. The students made their poppies out of paper, or if they were feeling really adventurous, some even sewed them. 

Whilst the learners carefully crafted their poppies, they discussed the family members who fought and sadly lost their lives. They then arranged their poppies into a lovely display that other members of the college could go and pay their respects to.  

The poppy is a symbol of both remembrance and hope and has been worn as such since the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915. The fields that were fought on in the war were turned to nothing but mud and destruction, but through it all, a field of poppies flourished.  

Lily, one of our UPS learners, said, “poppies are a huge part of Remembrance Day to show our respects for those who fought for our freedom, and due to our public service course, this is a special occasion as we would all like to be a part of the serving forces.” 

Our Uniformed Protective Services course provides our learners with a solid foundation and a pathway to success in a career in protective services. Through a combination of practical training, theoretical study, and real-world experiences, our students are developing the expertise and confidence necessary to make a meaningful difference in the community. 

Nicky Stent, a Protective Services lecturer, said, “I was so proud of the attitudes and respect demonstrated by the UPS learners for the Remembrance reflection lesson. We discussed family members, great-grandparents who had lost their lives, and we reflected on how we would feel being in their position.  

Many learners found sewing quite challenging and yet continued to make an effort in order to pay their respects and ensure that we could create an installation worthy of 11th November. The whole cohort collaborated, and I could not be prouder of the mature discussions that took place.” 

The UPS students also attended the Memorial ceremony in Grove Park on Remembrance Day. David Beresford, Head of Protective Services, said “the students provided an excellent presence at the Memorial Day ceremony.  

Their behaviour epitomised the brevity and importance of the occasion, displaying respect, reflection and pride in their Nation's historic endeavours.” 

We are so proud of our Uniformed Protective Services students for how they presented themselves and honoured Remembrance Day at Weston College. 

If you’re interested in applying to one of our Protective Services courses, click here.