Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds (old)
COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
With hundreds of unique, exciting and inspiring programmes to choose from, everything you need to create your brighter future is waiting for you at Weston College.
From the minute you walk through the door, the experience and the environment that we create is all about maximising your potential. It’s about preparing and motivating you for a fresh and focused career pathway.
Every Weston College student becomes part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs. This means you will take part in a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of help you to go further, giving you the opportunity to become career ready with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to be successful in your next step and reach your ultimate goal - whatever that may be!
Whether you are looking for the next step after school or the next step in your career, we're bound to have a programme for you. Take a look below at the different types of qualifications available for school leavers and young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Did you know we also run English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
Start your brighter future by selecting a subject you're interested in below, and don't forget - you can apply online and it only takes 5 minutes!
Discover our range of courses for school leavers aged 16-18 using the search options below...
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Find Your Future Path
Qualifications Explained
At Weston College we know that everyone learns differently. That’s why we deliver a variety of different qualification types - to give you the chance to learn in the way that suits you the most.
A Levels
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers. Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career. A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
Apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace..
Professional and Technical Qualifications
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
Traineeships
Traineeships are a great way for 16 to 24-year-olds who haven’t yet gained the skills and experiences necessary to apply for jobs and apprenticeships. They are taught mostly in the workplace and include a mixture of personal and social development, and employability skills. The aim of a traineeship is to train you within a company so that you are more likely to be offered an apprenticeship or a job.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY
We are all about CAREERS NOT COURSES and pride ourselves on being able to offer a huge range of programmes to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge employers and universities are looking for. As the only education provider in North Somerset that enables you to work your way up from an entrylevel programme to a degree, we’re here to help you choose the right programme for you.
We can help you choose your study programme or apprenticeship by accessing the following support:
School Liaison Team
Working with local schools we help you find out about college life and programmes of study, and we provide you with advice and guidance about what programmes will best suit you. We will either visit your school, attend careers fairs and parents’ evenings or coordinate campus and virtual events such as our taster days, holiday workshops and tours.
Events
We put on a number of events over the year, which will be a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events. These provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore our facilities, speak to our lecturers, find out about the support on offer and choose the right programme for you. Our events also give you the opportunity to engage with a number of employers to find out about careers in their industry and why they value the calibre of candidates that come from Weston College.
CAREERS ADVICE
- On our website you can access a wealth of career guidance, such as:
- All the programmes you can study.
- What our alumni have gone on to achieve.
- Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) that will help explain what relevant careers and jobs are available, including salaries.
- NEW – Subject careers roadmaps, so you can map your journey with us and ensure it will get you into your chosen career. Also, check out Career Coach - this provides you with the opportunity to:
- Take an assessment that matches you with careers.
- Explore broad career pathways that match your strengths and interests.
- Compare careers within a pathway - including salaries, required education and more.
- Explore our programmes that will set you on the path to your desired career.
- Take a career assessment - and receive an in-depth report that can help you identify the best programme and career path for you!
We’re here and happy to help – if you would like more advice and guidance, contact our school liaison team by emailing schoolteam@weston.ac.uk. - they you can arrange a one-to-one careers appointment with our specialist staff.
LATEST NEWS
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Every week, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a> students deliver a professional dinner service for friends, family and members of the public, offering high-quality, three-course meals at an affordable price. These services provide students with invaluable real-world experience while giving the community access to excellent food at a reduced cost. </p><p>This term began with a Tapas Night, where students designed and delivered a selection of hot and cold tapas dishes. The experience challenged students to work outside of their comfort zone, encouraging adaptability and creativity while developing essential skills such as time management, coordination, and teamwork. Preparing multiple small dishes required precision and organisation, closely reflecting the demands of a professional kitchen. </p><p>Throughout this year, students have continued to run weekly dinner services featuring a three-course menu with multiple options for each course, including meat, fish, and vegetarian choices. This approach develops menu planning skills while teaching students to accommodate dietary requirements, allergies, and customer preferences – an essential skill for future hospitality professionals. </p><p>A key part of each service is the structured delegation of roles within the kitchen. Students are assigned individual responsibilities, such as preparation, cooking, plating, or service coordination, ensuring accountability and high standards. Roles rotate regularly, allowing students to gain experience across all kitchen stations and build a versatile skillset that is highly valued in the industry. </p><p>These dinner services replicate the pace and pressure of a commercial kitchen. Students work at dedicated stations, collaborate under time constraints, and produce meals for paying customers. In addition to developing culinary techniques and knife skills, they gain confidence in teamwork, communication, hygiene, and professional kitchen practices. </p><p>Students are also involved in all front-of-house and operational duties, including greeting guests, serving food, setting tables, handling payments, managing orders, and maintaining cleanliness. This broad exposure reflects the realities of the hospitality industry, where adaptability and teamwork are essential, and prepares students for a wide range of career pathways. </p><p>Beyond student development, the dinner services provide a valuable benefit to the local community by offering affordable, high-quality dining experiences that would typically be more expensive elsewhere. This interaction with real customers enhances students’ professionalism, communication skills, and understanding of customer expectations. </p><p>Overall, these dinner services play a vital role in preparing students for future careers in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and catering</u></a>. They build confidence, refine practical skills, and gain a clear understanding of industry standards, helping them identify career interests and progress with a strong foundation for employment or further study. </p><p>This dinner service forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. </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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. 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> </p><p> </p>
<p>Recently, our Sport learners attended an inspiring guest lecture delivered by Luke Morgan, <strong>First Team Football Analyst </strong>at <a href="https://www.bcfc.co.uk/"><strong>Bristol City Football Club</strong>.</a> Luke is a former Weston College student, having previously studied the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.</strong></a></p><p>In his current role at Bristol City FC, Luke is responsible for observing, filming, and analysing the team’s technical and tactical performance. A key part of his role involves analysing upcoming opposition to help inform game plans and tactical decisions, as well as reviewing Bristol City’s own training sessions and match performances. On match days, Luke works from within the stadium, providing real-time video clips and performance insights to coaches and players to support immediate review and improvement.</p><p>During the lecture, Luke spoke in detail about his career journey since leaving Weston College. This included progressing to university, completing a placement year that sparked his interest in performance analysis, and subsequently undertaking an MSc in Performance Analysis at the University of Gloucestershire. Luke highlighted his placement year as a pivotal moment in his development, as it helped him identify the area of sport he was most passionate about and ultimately led him to his current role at Bristol City FC.</p><p>Luke led engaging discussions and practical activities, such as identifying KPIs to measure team performance across different types of sports, all of which emphasised the value of gaining experience across a wide range of roles within the sports industry. He made it clear to the learners that many career opportunities may not become apparent until you gain hands-on experience, encouraging students to keep an open mind, think carefully about their next steps, and avoid specialising too early in order to explore different areas of sport before committing to a specific career pathway.</p><p>A huge thank you to Luke for delivering such an informative and motivating session, and for inspiring our learners with his journey and expertise.</p><p>This programme forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… & Fitness </u></a>Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. </p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege/video/7595971309297962242" data-video-id="7595971309297962242"><section><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@westoncollege">@westoncollege</a> Weston College alumnus Luke Morgan, now a First Team Football Analyst for @bristolcityfc <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-WestonCollege-7595971339471…; target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - WestonCollege">♬ original sound - WestonCollege</a></p></section></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last term, Weston College hosted an NFL Flag UK programme for teachers from across North Somerset. During the session, two of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… & Fitness</u></a> lecturers, Dan Pratlett and Morgan Sealey, took part, giving Weston College the opportunity to become an official NFL Flag School and introduce non-contact flag football to our students. </p><p>The programme is completely free for schools and provides teachers with a strong foundation in the sport, including the basic rules, as well as the tactics and strategies required to succeed. In addition, staff received comprehensive training on the health and safety elements of the game, ensuring students are taught how to participate safely and correctly in NFL-inspired activities. </p><p>NFL Flag UK also delivers ongoing training, development opportunities, and tournament pathways, alongside providing all necessary equipment and teaching resources at no cost. This gives our staff access to structured lesson plans designed to introduce the sport through engaging drills and skills-based activities, ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to take part and develop confidence while learning a new sport. </p><p>By upskilling our staff, we are able to offer students exciting new opportunities that inspire and re-engage them with physical activity. Participation in a new team sport supports students’ personal development by encouraging responsibility, teamwork, and resilience, while also giving them access to experiences they may not otherwise have had. </p><p>Dan Pratlett, Head of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; at Weston College, said, “The NFL Flag Programme equips our staff with the confidence and expertise to introduce this sport to our students, broadening the range of pathways available to them. Through this programme, students develop key skills such as resilience, confidence, and teamwork, supporting both their personal growth and long-term success. This experience extends beyond college, helping students gain a wider understanding of sport and the transferable skills needed to succeed in the industry.” </p><p>A huge thank you to NFL Flag UK for providing our staff and students with this fantastic opportunity. </p><p>This programme forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… & Fitness</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. </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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. 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></p>
