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!
Got news you want to share with us? Email marketing@weston.ac.uk
Got news you want to share with us? Email marketing@weston.ac.uk
Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.
Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.
On Wednesday 2nd November, we welcomed the Recruitment Team from Hinkley Point C to discuss career opportunities.
With a packed schedule, learners from South West Skills Campus and Knightstone Campus were fortunate to find out about career prospects as well industry placements available for Weston College students.
Learners from across our Construction Career Excellence Hub, and our Business T Level students took part in special bespoke sessions, which looked into Hinkley Point C as a whole as well as the wide range of job roles which go into making the project work – from project managers to engineers.
Kirsty Woods, Business Partnership Manager (Construction) at Weston College, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Recruitment Team from Hinkley Point C, who inspired learners from across our Construction Career Excellence Hub, with their engaging talk.
“At Weston College we have thousands of really talented students who constantly impress employers across the region with their knowledge, skills and application.
“We have links with employers across the region, to provide our learners with industry placements, which is a vital element of their development.”
Find out more about our Construction courses, by clicking here.
We celebrated Careers Week in November, with our Protective Services learners engaging in numerous career related activities with employers.
Employer engagement is extremely important to our students, as it helps them to confirm their first choice of career, as well as enthusing and motivating them on their course of study.
The week commenced with our Year 2 students traveling down to Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor to spend 4 days residential with the Army. Activities included an assault course, stalk and overnight bivvy camp. Throughout the experience, learners developed their ID skills including rapport building, resilience, and teamwork.
The trip received glowing feedback, with Harry saying: “This is the best thing that I have ever done!”
On the Tuesday a group of students travelled to RAF Brize Norton to spend an exhilarating day with the RAF. Activities included boarding an A400M aircraft, a tour of the base gym and lunch in the Sergeant’s Mess.
The day was ran by Squadron leader Jacqueline Millard Smith who runs a bespoke mentoring service for the Weston College Protective Service Provision.
This trip was really beneficial for learners, with Zoe saying: “After visiting and speaking to people on the base it has really interested me and has made me consider my future career options. It was an amazing experience!”
On Thursday learners travelled to HMS Raleigh in Plymouth. It was a fantastic occasion, which allowed students to visit a range of Navy Careers including Fire Fighting, Submariner Service and the Physical Training Branch. The mixture of Level 2 and Level 3 learners were fully engaged throughout the day and were excellent ambassadors for the College.
We celebrated Careers Week in November, with our Protective Services learners engaging in numerous career related activities with employers.
Employer engagement is extremely important to our students, as it helps them to confirm their first choice of career, as well as enthusing and motivating them on their course of study.
In the Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Production (HMPP) three-year degree programme at UCW, there is a module which requires the learners to work to an industry brief. This year, Puxton Park delivered the brief for the learners, for an event they held, called “Phobia”; a Halloween event that took place from 22nd – 29th October, consisting of five haunted attractions including a Haunted Tractor Ride, Doll House and the ‘Dark Wood’. The learners were required to design and apply makeup to a very high quality for this event, for up to 40 actors a night!
In total, 30 students across both HE & FE took part; the third year HMPP learners were in charge of running the event, and the first and second year HMPP learners also took part as assistants. The Level 2 Hair and media makeup learners were also involved as further assistance on certain makeup zones. Every learner was there every night, from 4:30 – 10:30pm, to ensure every actor was ready for their performance. It was important that they planned and practiced every aspect before the event started, as they had to make sure they could carry out the same quality in a fast-paced environment, under time pressure!
As well as designing and applying the makeup on the nights, the 3rd year learners were also tasked with ordering the products and costumes, and keeping within a budget, as well as holding workshops for the Level 2 students to demonstrate the desired looks, and build their confidence in their abilities.
The feedback from everyone involved has been overwhelmingly positive – the learners absolutely loved the opportunity to work in a professional event, working with other students across multiple courses, and being given a true insight into the industry. Puxton Park have also commented on the creative talent of the learners, and praised them for their professionalism. The general public, who attended the event, have said it was “a fantastic, immersive experience, but very scary!”
Tara O’Hare, an HMPP lecturer, has commented “I would like to personally thank my third year HMPP students, with special thanks in particular to Holly and Beth, who acted as project managers on the event, liaised with the other groups who were helping out, and worked professionally and fully committed themselves to the project throughout.
Both the HE and FE makeup students worked with enthusiasm and confidence throughout They will be an absolute asset in the makeup industry, and without them, this project would not have been as successful. We can’t wait to be back next year!”
If you’re interested in a qualification in Hair and Makeup, you can find out more information, below!