Weston College Performing Arts and Media students have teamed up with Avon and Somerset Police to produce a powerful new short film to educate young people on bystander intervention in situations involving violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Led by Adrian Harris, Performing Arts Lecturer at the College, the project brought together FE Performing Arts students from the Acting Pathway and Year 1 FE Media students. The collaborative piece, filmed in April following months of weekly planning sessions, seeks to raise awareness of how members of the public, particularly young people, can safely and effectively intervene in violent or abusive situations.

Avon and Somerset Police delivered a briefing on the sensitive topic, sharing the project’s aims but offering students creative freedom. With professionalism and maturity, learners devised different approaches to intervention, enabling the Police to tailor the message to specific audiences and scenarios.

Rehearsals took place at Weston College’s Knightstone campus, with filming completed in the picturesque setting of Grove Park to lend authenticity and impact to the final production.

Adrian Harris, Performing Arts Lecturer, explained:

“The students have been brilliant. After watching the short films by Avon and Somerset Police, they expressed what worked and what didn’t, whether the message was clear or not, and offered original ideas and points of view to make it relevant to the younger generation.”

“The film will be shown to secondary school students - to help them deal with issues they come across and to show the different ways that, instead of being bystanders, they can be active contributors and help prevent violence against women and girls.”

This project forms part of the Performing Arts and Media Careers Excellence Hubs. The 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. 

Participating students described the project as both educational and empowering.

Brooke, a Performing Arts Acting Pathway student, shared:

“I think it’s important for this type of film to be portrayed by young adults like us because relationships are so common in teens, and it’s critical to show that it’s not okay to display certain behaviours, and to get that message across early on because it could prevent serious situations from happening. It’s so important that young people learn about consent and respecting people’s boundaries.”

Patrick, a Musical Theatre student, added:

“This project teaches people how to not be a bystander in a situation where you may see violence against women. If I was in a real-life violent situation, I might have struggled knowing how to intervene but now I’ve gained an understanding of the different ways I can get involved and help.”

The project also offered invaluable professional development for students, many of whom were engaging in a professional filming environment for the first time. Working with a crew of directors, sound technicians, and photographers gave them real-world experience in following a brief, taking direction, and collaborating under pressure.

This collaboration highlights the power of creative education in tackling real-world issues. By engaging with challenging topics like VAWG, our students are building professional skills and becoming advocates for positive change in their communities.

Thank you to Avon and Somerset Police for giving our students this fantastic opportunity!

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.