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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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 paraeid="{87643a4c-13ac-4696-b4ba-dc22a72d0540}{161}" paraid="1226424135">Ethan, one of our Level 3<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; Creative Media Production and Technology</a> students has received some brilliant feedback during his work placement with <a href="https://www.slx.co.uk/">SLX</a>, an event production company based in Avonmouth. </p><p paraeid="{87643a4c-13ac-4696-b4ba-dc22a72d0540}{167}" paraid="1974032424">Ethan has dived headfirst into the experience, impressing the employer with his brilliant time-management skills, eagerness, communication and confidence. SLX had some extremely positive feedback for Ethan, expressing that he is a dream to manage and now a valued member of staff! </p><p paraeid="{87643a4c-13ac-4696-b4ba-dc22a72d0540}{189}" paraid="927838494">SLX specialise in sound, lighting and video for live events and broadcasting and as part of Ethan’s placement he has been working alongside the lighting team, preparing equipment ready to be hired for events. This includes carrying out visual inspections, PAT testing, fixing equipment and making the equipment available at the highest quality. Ethan enjoys working amongst a supportive team who allow him to grow his technical skills and knowledge. </p><p paraeid="{87643a4c-13ac-4696-b4ba-dc22a72d0540}{205}" paraid="218194667">After speaking to Ethan, he expressed, “the placement has helped me develop my skills massively. After college, I plan to go straight into the live events industry, hopefully with SLX. After being lucky enough to work on<a href="https://www.watchetfestival.co.uk/"> Wachet Music Festival</a> in August 2022, this has given me further drive for the live events industry. I hope to progress onto being a lighting designer”. </p><p paraeid="{87643a4c-13ac-4696-b4ba-dc22a72d0540}{223}" paraid="1691156350">Ethan has so far thoroughly enjoyed his experience on the Media course at Weston College, relaying that the support from tutors have been second to none and they have been very pivotal in planning his next steps for the future. He advises anyone interested in studying on the course to take all the opportunities given to them by the lecturers and to get involved with anything that is thrown at them. </p><p paraeid="{87643a4c-13ac-4696-b4ba-dc22a72d0540}{243}" paraid="1310881675">Ethan believes work placements are really important and allow you to create vital connections within the industry. With creative industries being more difficult to get into, getting your name out there as soon as possible really broadens your options for the future. </p><p paraeid="{df956891-24ad-4c6d-8f8b-4ea9fcc3930f}{10}" paraid="1747226086">At Weston College, our mantra is ‘careers, not courses’. Not only do we want students to engage in as many educational opportunities as possible, but we also want to support them in developing and building a future career. Engaging with our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hubs</a> allows students to take part in their chosen study programme filled with lots of career-boosting benefits, preparing them to be career-ready by the time they leave us.</p><p paraeid="{df956891-24ad-4c6d-8f8b-4ea9fcc3930f}{54}" paraid="2140237420">Find out more about our Level 3 <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Media and production</a> course and Careers Excellence Hubs <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">here</a>.</p>
<p>The recently released Health and Disability White Paper outlines the governments vision to be able to move more neurodiverse individuals into paid employment to support them to ‘Start, stay and succeed in work’.</p><p>Currently, only 4.8% of individuals with a learning disability or autism that are known to local authorities are in full time paid employment. This figure has to change, and we must take action to change the narrative for young people within our community.</p><p>Here at Weston College, our empowerment-based specialist support model promotes a whole-organisational approach to inclusivity. We have developed our supported internship programmaes to provide a personalised innovative support network for learners with EHCPs who are looking to move into sustained employment. As a result of this 85% of our interns move into sustainable employment, bucking the national trend by over 80% and outlining our high aspirations and outstanding outcomes for the young people.</p><p><em>Why choose supported internships?</em></p><p>There is nothing better than working with young people to unlock their true potential. We know that around 20-40% of the UK population are neurodiverse and Internships are work based study programmes that allow these individuals to showcase their skills whilst supporting employers to access an untapped workforce. There are currently over 1 million unfulfilled vacancies within the UK costing employers hundreds of thousands of pounds in recruitment costs and we know that we have individuals that have a wide breath of talent and ambition to bridge this employment gap.</p><p>Our interns flourish in the world of work, reaching their aspirations and making a positive contribution to the workplace. This is reflected recent feedback from one of our job coaches <em>‘The interns I support are unique and individual, which is why Supported Internships are so great –they allow us the flexibility to design a personalised support programme that supports allows them to utilise their unique skills to benefit the employers that they are working with.’ Every day the difference that our internship programme makes to the lives of the young people we support. Interns describe internships in the following ways:</em></p><p><em>‘I am so excited about getting up everyday and going to work. My supported internship will support me to get a job working with children which is something I have always wanted to do.’</em></p><p><em>‘I worked with my job coach to identify where I wanted to work. I was able to get a supported internship opportunity where I trained for 5 months and got a paid job. A year later I still work here and I love coming to work everyday to see the customers and colleagues’</em></p><p><em>‘My internship allowed me to use the skills I have to get a job but more importantly has shaped by personal and social life for the better forever. I have recently just got a promotion in my job, something I never thought I would be able to achieve.’</em></p><p>Our commitment to inclusion permeates beyond the college walls. This year we have trained over 50 employers in neurodiversity awareness to support them to become inclusivity champions. By working together to create supportive opportunities the narrative will begin to change. Hosting a Supported Internship and becoming a more inclusive employer, isn’t just a great thing to do –it makes complete business sense!</p><p>For more information on Supported Internships, email employers@weston.ac.uk.</p>
<p>Last week, our Level 3 Beauty Therapy learners were treated to a guest lecture and demonstration from an industry professional at <a href="https://www.guinot.co.uk/en_GB">Guinot</a>. Guinot, the No. 1 Beauty Salon in France, offers beauty treatments and exclusive skincare treatments for the face and body in approved beauty salons.</p>
<p>Jenna Ratcliffe, the Divisional Lead of Sector Services, explained the demonstration, and how this benefits the learners in their studies: “Learners focus on providing advanced skincare therapies during their course; the industry masterclass was focused on enhancing learner awareness around alternatives to aesthetic medicine. Guinot was the perfect brand to offer this insight to our learners as they have over 50 years' experience in the professional beauty therapy industry with treatments available in 70 countries.”</p>
<p>Jenna continued: “Learners had the opportunity to further develop electrical therapy technical skills under the direction of Michelle, our Guinot representative. Learners explored Guinot's Hydradermie, Hydraclean and Hydralift treatments and were fascinated by the results.”</p>
<p>At Weston College, we understand how vital live demonstrations are in bridging the gap between education and industry. Learners are aware of professional brans, however being given the opportunity to experience them first hand is far more supportive for the learner’s progression into industry.</p>
<p>One learner participating in the session commented: “I thoroughly enjoyed today's Guinot masterclass with Michelle. She provided so much information on the treatments and products available, allowing us to test each product out. The fragrances were phenomenal, and the quality of the product is definitely top of the range and allows me to see treatment profit margins.”</p>
<p>Jenna commented on the success of the visit: “I’m so thrilled that at Weston College we are able to present opportunities such as these to our learners; as our motto is ‘careers, not courses’, industry professional demonstrations opens the door for our learners to achieve those dream careers!</p>
<p>“Michelle from Guinot stated that she would offer any of our learners a career pathway at Guinot, stating that they were professional and very knowledgeable! We are immensely proud of our learners, and so grateful to Michelle for sharing her expertise and knowledge with us all!”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… you would like to find out more about our Hair and Beauty courses, you can do so here.</a></p>
