Programmes for School Leavers

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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Qualification Explained
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Qualifications Explained
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A Levels

Animal Management

Automotive

Beauty Therapy

Business and Management

Computing and Digital Technologies

Construction

Construction Professions

Creative Arts

Education and Early Years

Engineering and Green Skills

Hair and Barbering

Health and Social Care

Hospitality and Catering

Law

Performing and Production Arts

Protective Services

SEND

Sport and Fitness

Travel and Tourism

You can progress onto degrees and higher apprenticeships with UCW...

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

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.

LATEST NEWS

22 Oct 2024

Reptile Zone letting Animal Management Students touch crocodile

To kick off the new academic year, Animal Management hosted an Employment and Conservation Day where all new students got the chance to meet employers, explore the Puxton Park campus, take part in activities and investigate different prospective career paths.The day began with a tractor ride around Puxton Park to familiarise the students with campus, where they also explored one of the dairy farms outside of Puxton that they will be involved with later in the year to see how it is run differently to the one onsite.After the learners were more familiar with their surroundings, they headed to Puxton’s theatre where they received talks from both lecturers and employers, and students got the chance to hear different pathways open to them, both after they complete their course and for their work experience hours.<drupal-entity alt=""Employer talk in Puxton Park's theatre"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ed7e75f5-8136-4eb2-8988-9f3ca30ce90a" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> The lecturers outlined their previous experiences including working at Bristol Zoo with a range of different animals, training sea lions, and even saving species of birds that were on the brink of extinction. By sharing their career history, the students got a wider understanding of the possibilities available to them and the different animals they could work with.Following this, the learners heard from employers from Harmonious Dogs, Noah’s Ark, and Reptile Zone, where they introduced themselves and what they do. Harmonious Dogs brought in two dogs to show the students how they train them and provided a meet and greet for the students to interact with the dogs. Reptile Zone also made their talk interactive by bringing in an African dwarf crocodile and a panther chameleon which the students could hold at the end.<drupal-entity alt=""Crocodile from Reptile Zone"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e40f7846-a857-4ef2-a8c4-bc07d79b7245" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> <drupal-entity alt=""Panther chameleon from Reptile Zone"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="287c102c-b26f-4542-b854-252ce9c8d7a1" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> Reptile Zone also brought in one of Weston College’s Year 2 Level 3 students who volunteers with them to show that these careers are achievable and realistic to all the learners in attendance.By providing the students with real-life experiences from both lecturers and employers, it allows them to consider different pathways depending on the kinds of animals they want to work. They also got to see the types of employers that Weston College works with so they can make connections themselves and start thinking about their futures.After lunch, the Conservation Day commenced and was made possible by organisations called RoAM (Records of the Avalon Marshes), where volunteers who specialise in recording wildlife of the Somerset Wetlands came in to outline what RoAM is, discuss the importance of it, and how students can help, as well as setting up activities to help the students understand and get them involved.<drupal-entity alt=""Wildlife talk to students"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b4ef488-ae27-492d-90ac-609e850e39ae" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> The students were split into 5 groups and set up near the pond on different stations. These stations included plants; media; aquatic life; dragonflies and damselflies; butterflies, moths, and crickets, and all had different members of RoAM who specialise in the different species.At these stations, learners had 15 minutes to learn about their station specie that they may not have been previously exposed to with activities like plant identification, moth trapping, and pond dipping – where they got the chance to use a microscope and look closely at animals, algae and microbes and view all the intricate details of the small little beasties.<drupal-entity alt=""Students in specie groups using microscopes"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="daca6d40-7c24-4b2c-b7f0-95f6a4a0f8bb" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> This type of wildlife and species would not always be considered by the learners when contemplating working with animals but is a rewarding professional that, thanks to the volunteers at RoAM, has now been brought to the attention of the students.Joseph, the Technical Demonstrator for Animal Management, said “overall this day was a success and hopefully opened up a new interest for students that haven’t had the experience with people who work with our native wildlife”.Thank you to the employers and organisation members who took the time to visit our students and share their knowledge and experiences. This has broadened the learners’ mindsets and career opportunities.<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima…; target="_blank">If you're interested in joining one of our Animal Management Courses in September, click here.</a>

Employment and Conservation Day With Our Animal Management Learners

21 Oct 2024

Our T Level learners work incredibly hard balancing their industry placements and classroom studies, but a few select students were nominated by their lecturers on Results Day for going above and beyond and exceeding expectations throughout their first year of their T Level. We caught up with one student, Katherine, regarding how she found her first year of Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction T Level, how she balanced her placement and studies, and what she enjoyed and found challenging. <drupal-entity alt=""Construction T Level learner Katherine"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2e989fde-f4fc-4def-8f0e-758d5bd68237" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> During her first year, Katherine learnt many important and transferrable skills in both her placement and in the classroom, including knowledge of legislations and regulations, science building technology and construction maths, design, how to use Revit, and the commercial side to construction. This broadens her knowledge and skillset and means she’s not limited to what she works on during her placement. Her industry placement for both first and second year is a company called VolkerLaser, where she works on the refurbishment of the Newport Transporter Bridge. Over the 2 years, Katherine will complete a total of 315 hours at her industry placement, with the remaining hours of the T Level spent in the classroom. Out of all the skills and knowledge she acquired during the classroom section of her first year, Katherine found the Science and Building Technology part the most interesting as she “liked being challenged by the calculations in science”. Overall, however, she found that getting hands-on experience from her industry placement was the most fulfilling and engaging part to the T Level. However, Katherine did find some areas more challenging than others, such as the core exams and the employer set projects as these were stressful and required a lot of revision. Not only this, she also found presenting difficult, however this task benefitted her as it allowed her to create a “slightly calmer looking exterior when presenting” and develop her confidence and public speaking skills. <drupal-entity alt=""Construction T Level classroom"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="124d6010-4cbb-48c7-a4b8-5b68551e5fe5" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> Any problems that Katherine faced, she felt comfortable enough to ask for help. “The staff last year were really encouraging and supportive, if I had a problem, they did their best to help”. She also found that they were very understanding of her commute from South Wales. Katherine’s lecturers also spoke very highly of her and her performance throughout her first year of her T Level, saying “Katherine has had an extremely brilliant first year at Weston College. She has always produced a high standard of work and has good attendance and time keeping, despite having to take two trains to get to college from South Wales.  Her attention to detail is of a very high standard and she is not afraid to ask questions if she doesn't understand something.” Many students wonder how to juggle the industry placement and their classroom studies, but Katherine found it a good balance, saying “it's been interesting to see how the classroom work begins to line up with some things I've learned on site”. You get the perfect blend of practical, hands-on experience that will prepare you for work after college but also the additional knowledge and information in the classroom that you may not get taught on the job. The facilities available at Weston College are also excellent for Katherine’s Construction T Level, “it's one of the factors that made my family and I decide that Weston College would be the best place for me to study construction”. When asked what she would say to someone considering a T Level, she said “I'd advise someone considering a T-Level to look into it carefully, make sure the course covers what you're interested in doing in the future.” Katherine also advised learners to make sure they consider their next steps before applying for a T Level because the curriculum is still fairly new to Further Education. Once Katherine completes her T Level, she hopes to go onto studying civil engineering either at university or in an apprenticeship. Good luck in your final year Katherine! <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; target="_blank">If you would like to study a T Level at Weston College in September, click here.</a>

Katherine's Construction T Level Results Day Nomination

15 Oct 2024

Wildstar Films Visiting Our Level 3 TV, Film & Creative Production students

This week, our Level 3 TV, Film & Creative Production students received a guest lecture from two members of the Production Management team at Wildstar Films, Sadie Coles and Miranda Pincott, who are also from Weston-Super-Mare.During this informative talk, Sadie and Miranda went through their career paths that led them to production management, what the roles entail, the adventures and misadventures of the job, the career ladder of production management, and what other characteristics you need to work in film.The components outlined in the talk helped the students gain a better understanding of different aspects of TV and film that they perhaps hadn’t considered, outside of the glamourous filming and directing itself, and allowed them to review possible career paths that often go unnoticed.<drupal-entity alt=""Wildstar Films Visiting Our Level 3 TV, Film & Creative Production students"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="df4fc44f-aad5-4f66-adcb-b010a09ac9fd" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> Wildstar Films is a production company that collaborates with National Geographic, Disney+, and DisneyNature to make “inspirational and ground-breaking shows about the natural world”. They have created many shows including 'Queens', 'Tiger', 'America’s National Parks', and many more, and have been nominated for a Wildscreen Panda Award for their Production Management Team in 'Queens'. They also have films in production that are due to come out on Disney+ in 2025 including the Sentient and Underdogs which is voiced over by Ryan Reynolds.Production Management is a less well-known area of TV production as it consists of many factors that people don’t necessarily consider. These factors include travel, insurance, budget, permits, legal, visas, kit, fixers, crew contracts, and accommodation. These are all important logistics to consider when filming and production management must sort it all to ensure there are no obstacles when it comes to filming.<drupal-entity alt=""Wildstar Films outlining the logistics behind Production Management"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3a11a2f-3f1b-407d-8c40-5b51133f612f" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> Like many jobs, there are challenges and mishaps that must be overcome when working in production management. This can be anywhere from forgetting equipment, to misinforming an airline of the amount kit being brought. However, the students were also shown the benefits of working in film, such as getting the opportunity to travel, getting nominated for awards, and even have the chance to work with celebrities like David Attenborough!Lynsey, Strategic Partnership Manager at Weston College, who attended the talk, said “a big thank you to Wildstar Films, a very valued Career Excellence Hub partner for our Creative Media Faculty. Today, Miranda and Sadie delivered a superb guest lecture on campus to showcase production careers in natural geographic programming.It was eye opening and awe inspiring, and hopefully will direct our learners into a potential career. The talented production teams behind these incredible programs provided our students with invaluable insights into the industry.”Sadie and Miranda both started out low on the ladder, either as apprentices or volunteers, and worked their way up. Miranda is the Production Manager after 30 years in TV production, sharing her career progression with the students to let them know that it is commitment and hard work that will pay off in the end.<drupal-entity alt=""Wildstar Films outlining the career progression in Production Management"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bc4d4224-a800-4b3c-b447-2948be18ad01" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity> The overall message that Wildstar Films communicated to the students was that, to work in the film industry, you need to be prepared to start from the bottom and work your way up. You can’t go into it with the expectation that you’ll start at the top. Also, it is important to get work experience where you can, whether that is paid or volunteering, you need to show that you’re interested and committed to the role.A massive thank you to Wildstar Films for their fantastic guest talk and for giving our Level 3 TV, Film & Creative Production students the chance to see an alternative film career pathway.<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; target="_blank">If you're interested in joining one of our Creative and Digital Media Courses in September, click here.</a>

Wildstar Films: A Guest Lecture In Production Management

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Programmes for School Leavers

Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds

COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS

Discover our range of courses for school leavers aged 16-18 using the search options below...

Select a Course Subject:

Search courses by keyword:

Search by Keyword:

Select a Career:

A Levels

Animal Management

Automotive

Beauty Therapy

Business and Management

Computing and Digital Technologies

Construction

Construction Professions

Creative Arts

Education and Early Years

Engineering and Green Skills

Hair and Barbering

Health and Social Care

Hospitality and Catering

Law

Performing and Production Arts

Protective Services

SEND

Sport and Fitness

Travel and Tourism

Qualifications Explained

A Levels

Apprenticeships

Professional and Technical Qualifications

Traineeships

CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY

School Liaison Team

Events

CAREERS ADVICE

Apply or find out more

Important Notice