Creating brighter futures

Students studying A Levels, Vocational Subjects and T Levels at Weston College celebrated their outstanding grades on Results Day 2024! The results were once again excellent for learners across the various campuses of the College Group.

This year, the T Levels included disciplines such as Health, Engineering, Education & Early Years. Impressively, the Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction and Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing & Control courses achieved a 100% pass rate, with 60% of students earning the highest grades.

T Levels are qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds, undertaken after GCSEs. Equivalent in size to three A Levels, they emphasise technical and vocational skills, providing pathways into skilled employment, higher education, or apprenticeships.

Similarly, for A Levels, Weston College students outperformed last year’s students with 100% pass rates realised in Art, Computer Science, Economics, French, Further Maths, Media, Photography, Textiles, BTEC IT and BTEC Sport.

The College also saw hundreds of students successfully earning their vocational qualifications in a variety of fields, including Animal Management, Business, Construction, Creative Arts, Education, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, Motor Vehicle, Public Services, and Sport. Our learners on creative courses excelled yet again, with 100% achievement and the majority with higher grades.

A Level student Megan Ford, who picked up their results today commented:

"I'm very happy with my results! I got an A*, B, B! It's been really rewarding seeing all the hard work payoff and getting the grades to get into University. I have a place at Cardiff University but I'm deciding between Bio-Medical Science and Pharmaceutical Science! My advice to anyone studying A Levels next year would be always persist and the hard work will pay off!"

T Level student in Business Management, Thomas Hibbard picked up their results today and said:

“I got a Distinction today, which is better than I was expecting. This grade allows me to go on to a Degree Apprenticeship with Airbus in supply chain management – something I’m really excited about. My overall highlight of the course was taking part in the Enterprise Challenge, where I created a business and raised money for Weston Hospicecare.”

T Levels are backed by employers and contain 315 hours of an Industry Placement; this year students had placement opportunities with employers such as Mercedes-Benz, Suez, Bristol Port Company, Sirona and Lloyds Banking Group; the Banking Group provided the opportunity for 17 Weston College T Level learners, studying Digital and Business-related T Levels, to join them to carry out their placements. Fred Thomas, Senior Manager at Lloyds Banking Group* said:

"We view T Levels and their associated student placements as an excellent pathway to apprenticeships. In the long term, they will have an even greater impact by allowing us to identify talent at an early stage. During his placement, T Level student, Tom (one of the T Level learners who worked with Fred) worked on several projects and added value to our team. His performance was highly praised by all, leading us to offer him a degree apprenticeship."

The College’s Vocational qualifications were also outstanding this year. Health student, Chloe Johnson received triple distinction today and commented:

"I’m feeling fantastic after receiving my results. I have felt fully supported throughout my time at Weston College, which enabled me to apply for an apprenticeship. I’m thrilled to have been offered a place with the NHS on the RNDA programme, where I hope to qualify as a Registered Nurse within the next four years. I’m excited to start my university course and begin my new role as a nursing apprentice in September."

Weston College’s Principal and Chief Executive Pat Jones said:

"These results highlight the dedication and hard work of our students, demonstrating once again the excellent progress our students make toward Higher Education or employment.

At Weston College, our focus extends beyond helping students pass exams—we are committed to equipping them for their future careers. Our study programmes are designed to inspire and collaborate with industry partners, ensuring students are fully prepared for their next steps, whether that be a degree, a higher apprenticeship, or entering the workforce.

I would also like to commend our curriculum and support staff for their pivotal role in supporting these students to achieve such fantastic results.

A huge congratulations to the Class of 2024. I wish every learner great success in their future endeavours."

Overall, college results were exceptional with an improvement over last year's results by over 2%.

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.

At this year’s Creative Arts Summer Show, we saw impressive work from our students! Our learners on the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Pre-Degree showed strong talent!  

We’re putting a spotlight on some of the work produced and taking you behind the scenes into the inspiration behind the pieces.  

Jack: 

Jack’s work revolves around the idea of perfection and imperfection. He achieved this by having one side of his piece being ‘perfect and clean’ and the other being more chaotic. As Jack eventually aims to be an illustrator, he chose a geometric layout. The linework in the chaotic side of the piece corresponds to letters in a paragraph based on the word perfection, showing an impressive blending of ideas.  

Izzy: 

Izzy’s work is about her connection with her coastline. Living in a coastal area, she has a strong focus on the impact that climate change is having on these areas. A key inspiration behind this theme was finding out that a walking route that Izzy regularly takes with her dog would be underwater by 2050 due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. To achieve this, her work has the colours of nature, using flowers and florals from this coastline.  

Edith: 

Edith’s work centres on the theme of identity, especially regarding being a twin. The work was inspired by her journey to be independent and discovering her own personality. The course has helped Edith to discover new working processes and has prepared her for university, which she will be going to after a gap year.  

Mercedesz: 

Mercedesz’ work has many elements including a section inspired by a spider's web. This represents an area where a spider can hunt but is also the home for the spider. The work focuses on a theme of home, which can be lost but also found. The focus point of the piece represents a starting point for Mercedesz to create her new home from, with many elements branching off. 

Sydney: 

Sydney’s work was about rebirth and the healing process from a traumatic event. She was inspired by self-grief, creating work based on looking after yourself and healing independently. Sydney used crochet to achieve this effect. She describes the course as a completely different experience to A Levels and secondary school. Her words to anyone thinking about the Foundation Arts course are clear: “It's the best thing ever! Just do it!”.  

Feeling inspired? Find out more about the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Pre-Degree by clicking here! 

As results day approaches, the mix of excitement and anxiety can be overwhelming. Whether you’re awaiting results for A Levels, T Levels, GCSE’s or vocational courses, it is crucial to approach the day with a calm and open mindset. Here are some valuable tips to help you manage stress, stay positive, and plan your next steps effectively.

Reducing Stress Before Results Day

• Talk About Your Feelings - Share your thoughts and worries with friends, family, or a mentor. Talking about your feelings can alleviate stress and provide emotional support.
• Stay Active - Engage in regular physical activities such as walking, running, or yoga. Exercise releases endorphins, which help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
• Eat Well - Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary snacks, which can increase anxiety.
• Get Enough Sleep - Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Adequate rest is essential for maintaining a positive outlook and managing stress.

Keeping an Open Mind on Results Day

• Prepare for All Outcomes - Consider different scenarios and have a plan for each. This proactive approach can help you feel more in control and less anxious about the unknown.
• Stay Positive - Focus on your achievements and the effort you’ve put in, regardless of the results. Remember, one set of results does not define your entire future.
• Breathe and Stay Present - Practice deep breathing or mindfulness techniques to stay calm. If you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to step outside and reset.

Next Steps After Receiving Your Results

• Applying to University - If your results meet expectations, start researching universities and courses. Look into application deadlines and entry requirements. If your results are lower than expected, explore alternative routes such as foundation courses or universities with different entry criteria. University Centre Weston (UCW) offer over 45 courses with small class sizes for increased attention and interaction!
• Exploring Employment Options - Update your CV and start looking for job opportunities that match your skills and interests. Websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are great starting points. Consider internships, apprenticeships, or volunteer work to gain experience and build your professional network – Weston College offer a range of apprenticeships and work opportunities.
• Considering a Gap Year - A gap year can offer opportunities to travel, learn new skills, or gain work experience. Research gap year programs and plan activities that will enrich your personal and professional growth. Volunteering or part-time work during a gap year can also help you save money and gain valuable experiences.

Final Thoughts... Results day is just one step in your journey. Whatever the outcome, there are numerous paths to achieving your goals. Stay positive, seek support, and keep an open mind. Your future is full of possibilities, and this is just the beginning. Good luck!

If you would like any support from the team at Weston College, or UCW, please contact us on 01934 411 411.