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Programmes for School Leavers

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Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds

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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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.

 

Check out A-Levels Here

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..

 

Check out Apprenticeships Here

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.

 

Check out Traineeships Here

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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.

 

Check out T-Levels Here

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.

Why Choose us?
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LATEST NEWS

WorldSkills

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Last month, three learners from our Into-Work and Welding programs achieved exceptional results at the National Finals of the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. This event was held in Manchester and tested students’ problem-solving, employability, and creativity skills, and our learners rose to the occasion with remarkable performances.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Amber Hinton, a second-year </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; target="_blank">Into-Work</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> student with aspirations in childcare, competed in the Foundation Health and Social Care category. Despite being self-taught in this field, Amber’s performance was extraordinary. Competing against Level 2 students, she demonstrated NHS-standard handwashing techniques and tackled complex questions with confidence. Amber’s efforts earned her a well-deserved Bronze medal and 3rd place overall in her category—a testament to her determination and talent.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Amber outside the WorldSkills building in Manchester&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18419677-5ca3-4341-b2e8-8c6503b38551" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Amber said, “my favourite part of the competition was meeting new people as I got to make friends with people in my category. I would do it all again 1000 times over and I feel like everyone should go through and experience it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Jack Stevens, an </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/send/…; target="_blank">Into-Work</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learner who transitioned from an internship to paid work at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity, competed in the Foundation Horticulture category. Tasked with creating six planters—three indoor and three outdoor—and merchandising his display with a seasonal garden centre theme, Jack showcased incredible creativity and precision, earning a fantastic 4th place within his category.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Jack with his final Horticulture products&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61fb6a0e-7d84-409e-be3f-fff54ce81e48" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Jack holding his 4th place certificate&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bca0a75b-022f-4520-b7e7-c7ae4995e77e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Aidan Pocknell, a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice, faced intense competition in a challenging category that tested both his skill and his composure under pressure. His impeccable welds and strong work ethic earned him a Highly Commended award, highlighting his dedication and craftsmanship.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Aidan welding with a mask on&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3ad28170-99aa-48ca-b3a7-416c4565bfee" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Aidan holding his Highly Commended award shaking someone&apos;s hand&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01e60958-0c3e-4e11-9fca-2fde71c82741" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Aidan said, “it went very well! I was awarded Highly Commended and placed 6th out of 10 participants. I’m very happy with how I performed overall! There were a few moments where I felt overwhelmed during the competition, but I overcame them. In the end it was all worth it and it was a great experience that I would encourage anyone to participate in if they get the chance.”</p><p>These achievements demonstrate the impact of the Into-Work and Welding programs. From providing the skills necessary to excel in competitive environments to inspiring personal growth, these programs are empowering learners to reach their full potential.</p><p>For Jack and Amber, the experience was even more remarkable as it marked their first visit to a major city, making their accomplishments at the WorldSkills Finals a milestone in their educational and personal journeys.</p><p>Congratulations to Amber, Jack, and Aidan for their outstanding achievements. Their success is a shining example of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and support come together.&nbsp;</p>

Celebrating Into-Work and Welding Learners at WorldSkills Finals
Royal Navy giving a guest lecture to the Hospitality and Catering students

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; target="_blank">Hospitality and Catering</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> students have had many amazing masterclasses recently that have helped to develop their skills but also improve their confidence to produce show-stopping dishes that are delicious and presented to a very high-quality.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Recently, the learners’ skills were once again put to the test when the Royal Navy joined the learners for the day and held an exciting Ready, Steady, Cook workshop. This MasterChef-style workshop was around 2.5 hours long and allowed the learners to use their initiative and creativity their dishes.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The students were split into teams of up to 5 people and given a box of ingredients with recipe sheets for two dishes – a main course and a dessert. The learners had to work together to produce and present their meals which improved their communication, teamwork and delegation skills to prepare them for a professional kitchen environment.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Eton Mess dessert made by learners&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dbec06da-0ca9-48a3-a08b-26742c562e17" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Each group had 90 minutes to create their dishes for tasting, with some guidance from the Royal Navy chefs as they went along. The chefs were impressed with how well their creations turned out, as well as their professionalism and team working abilities.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Chicken dish made by learners&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32ca1239-21ea-4c96-83ea-c87762e0553b" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Once the workshop was complete, the Royal Navy members outlined the pathways and perks to joining the Royal Navy as a chef. They discussed the benefits and opportunities of working in the Navy, the application process, and the required training.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">To work in the Royal Navy, the learners also discovered that no matter the role, you are required to go through at least three phases of training and you require a secondary role. For the Navy chefs visiting, they were both fully trained fire fighters in case of emergencies, but it also allows them to take the qualification elsewhere.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The learners were very engaged throughout the session, hearing all the fantastic opportunities that the Royal Navy has to offer, as well as being the epitome of professionalism during their Ready, Steady, Cook workshop.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We are deeply grateful to the Royal Navy for their exceptional support and commitment as a Career Excellence Hub partner. Their dedication to fostering opportunities and inspiring excellence provides invaluable guidance and resources for our students, paving the way for future generations to achieve their aspirations and gain professional development within the </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; target="_blank">Hospitality and Catering</a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> sector.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; target="_blank">If you are interested in joining one of our Hospitality and Catering courses next September, click here.</a></p>

Ready, Steady, Cook with the Royal Navy
Learners sat smiling at their computers

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Last week, our Year 12 Computer Science students at Sixth Form participated in the globally celebrated Bebras Challenge, showcasing their skills in computational thinking and problem-solving. Among our 13 Elite group participants, everyone performed exceptionally well, reflecting their hard work and dedication to the subject.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">One of our students achieved an impressive ranking of 1,703rd in this year’s worldwide competition. With over 15,000 participants in the UK alone, this is an outstanding achievement and a testament to their talent and perseverance.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The Bebras Challenge is a 45-minute online event designed to engage young people aged 6 to 19 with interactive tasks that encourage logical reasoning and creativity. The competition is organised by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in collaboration with the University of Oxford and is an incredible opportunity for students to test their abilities against peers from more than 80 countries.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This challenge is conducted online and marked automatically by the competition system, making it both accessible and straightforward for schools to implement. It is supervised by teachers, making it a collaborative effort between students, educators, and organisers.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">With its inclusive design and global reach, the Bebras Challenge continues to ignite young minds, preparing them for the ever-evolving world of technology and innovation.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We are immensely proud of our learners’ efforts and successes in this year’s Bebras challenge as it portrays the potential of our Computer Science A Level students.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We’d like to say a big well done to all the learners who participated, your success has not gone unnoticed!&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank">If you’re interested in joining our Sixth Form in September, click here.</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p>

Sixth Form Learners Exhibit Incredible Talent in UK Bebras Challenge

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Important Notice

Please be aware that due to a recent announcement by the Department for Education, the list of available courses for the academic year starting in September 2025 may not be finalised until December 2024. This follows the launch of a government review of qualifications, including BTECs and other applied general qualifications. The purpose of this review is to assess how best to improve the quality of the overall qualifications landscape and ensure that all young people and adults have high-quality options that meet their needs and may mean that some qualifications under review may not be available from September 2025.

We encourage you to still apply for the courses you are interested in now, and we will provide further updates as soon as the review is complete and the course offerings for 2025 and beyond are confirmed. We will communicate this to all students who have applied by this stage, and also provide updates on our website and social media channels. We understand this uncertainty may be disruptive and appreciate your patience and understanding during this period of Government review, please be reassured that we are planning for all outcomes and are in no doubt that whatever the results of the review, we will be able to provide you with the right qualification and pathway to support you with your career goals and next steps.