Programmes for School Leavers
Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds
Our courses
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. We will help you to go further by equipping you with the skills, knowledge and expertise to successfully make the next step whatever that may be!
Our mission statement is ‘creating brighter futures’ and we passionately believe in helping you reach your ultimate goal, centred on your future employability and developing the skills you need to have a successful career.
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.
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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Qualification 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.
Apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into employment which will include clear routes for you to progress within an industry. 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. 90% of our apprentices are offered permanent positions at the end of their course.
Technical qualifications
Technical courses are centred around work-related learning, with each option tailored to a specific job or sector. They teach you the skills you’ll need to succeed in a particular career, and typically involve lots of hands-on, practical learning experience including a work placement.
Traineeships
A traineeship is a course designed for people between the ages of 16 and 24 who want to find a job or apprenticeship but don’t yet have the right skills or experience. Traineeships provide a supported and informed environment to guide and move you into apprenticeship, workplace or further study/training.
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.
Not sure what to study?
Working out what to study can sometimes be overwhelming and a little confusing. Identifying an area, you are passionate about or you enjoy is a good start. You might want to look at our different career excellence hubs as a starting point.
We want to ensure you feel well informed about this important decision and therefore offer all prospective students the opportunity to speak with a qualified member of our Personal Guidance team who can give you impartial advice and information about courses, support, study routes and careers pathways.
Discover your ideal career by using Career Coach
Career Coach can help you identify your future career goals, highlighting the skills and knowledge you need to enter particular job roles and industries. This interactive tool is a great way to browse up-to-date information on average and potential wages, and latest job vacancies, and to find the best career opportunities for you. What’s even better is it will identify the best courses you can study to make a start on achieving your career goals!
Find out moreSchool Liaison Team
The School Liaison team help to bridge the gap between school and college by offering information, advice and guidance to school leavers about all things Weston!
Click here to find out how our School Liaison Team can help!What our students say
Emily Dean, Public Services L3
Emily Dean
"I have had the chance to go on many amazing trips, such as New York and Coasteering in Exmoor. I have learnt new skills and developed as a person, due to being pushed to the best of my ability. "
Former school: Broadoak
Studied: Public Services L3
What next? Studying a Foundation degree in Public Services at University Centre Weston
Got a question?
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