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!
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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>This past week we had over 30 different students engage with the Esports Academy with trials that we ran in 3 different games to determine which students would be involved with the <a href="https://champs.britishesports.org/">British Esports Student Championships</a> (BESC). Every student showed excellent professionalism and “good manners” to each other whilst competing for places with each student commenting on how much they enjoyed themselves and wanting to do it again!</p>
<p>On Tuesday we did our first set of try outs on Overwatch and had 12 students join in for 3 hours! Every single person played their very best and impressed with excellent displays of skill and high levels of communication. It was so difficult to make a final decision on the final team of 5 starters and 2 substitute players. In the end we decided to shortlist some candidates that we wanted to have another look at and give the other 4 players, who were unable to show up for the day, a fair chance to show off their skills. Roll on Thursday 29th for round 2!!</p>
<p>On Wednesday we had Valorant and an incredible 17 students showed up to try out! We split the students up into 3 teams as they all had two rounds against each other. Over the course of the 3 hours+ try out, the students gave us the opportunity to assess their skills, communication and teamwork. All of the students were impressive, and the games were highly entertaining, with our final game where we mixed the teams up for a second time being an extremely close match!</p>
<p>We had the difficult task again of choosing 5 starters and 3 substitutes and on Friday we announced our decisions after some considered assessments and consultation with each other. It wasn’t easy letting 9 students know that they hadn’t made it, but we anticipate that they will be back after the Winter split ends. The Valorant team has already spent 2 evenings training with each other and getting to know each other better, their passion and determination to improve and perform well in the BESC is inspiring to see.</p>
<p>Thursday was Rocket League day! We had another 7 students show up and try out for the team. The games were very exciting to watch with each player showing why they should be on the team. We spent a little over an hour and a half putting the students through their paces and eventually we managed to have a decision on the 5 students who would be representing us for the Winter split.</p>
<p>We are excited to see our Valorant and Rocket League teams in action this Wednesday within the BESC first round of the Swiss stage and we’re looking forward to the second round of trials for Overwatch on Thursday to determine the team that will be competing for us in our pursuit to get to Nationals in the spring, and hopefully the in person (LAN) Grand Finals at the British Esports Performance Center in June!</p>
<p>Internationally acclaimed public realm artist Morag Myerscough made her mark in Weston-super-Mare last week as painting began on a new public art shrine for the town’s High Street.</p>
<p>The temporary artwork, designed and co-created by the artist with the local community, is part of a pioneering heritage project called ‘21st Century super Shrines’, managed by <a href="https://cultureweston.org.uk/">Culture Weston</a> in collaboration with<a href="https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/"> North Somerset Council</a>.</p>
<p>21st Century super Shrines was launched in May 2021. It is part of a four-year High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) cultural programme, funded by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.</p>
<p>Before it is installed, the bandstand-shaped shrine design will be injected with the artist’s signature colour and pattern as students from Weston College work alongside her and local creatives to help apply the patterns and paint the structure.</p>
<p>The timber-built outdoor structure, featuring a small external performance area and sheltered seating, will be erected in the pedestrianised space outside 30 High Street - an area known locally as Big Lamp Corner.</p>
<p>Installation is planned to take place next month (October 2022) and the artwork will remain in situ for the duration of the 21st Century super Shrines programme, which finishes in 2024.</p>
<p>Fiona Matthews, creative director at Culture Weston, said: “<em>The painting of the Shrine is a key moment in the project, as Morag’s co-ordinated jigsaw of pattern and colour brings the design to glorious multi-coloured life! Weston-based master joiner Simon Birtwistle has done an amazing job in crafting the structure and we are excited to be moving on to the next stage in creating this unique and vibrant landmark.</em></p>
<p><em>“A 21st Century take on the traditional bandstand, the celebratory public artwork represents the combined vision of the artist and local community, shining out pride in Weston and capturing the cultural zeitgeist that is thriving in the town.”</em></p>
<p>Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, said: <em>“The 21st Century super Shrines cultural project will be a fantastic addition to Weston’s High Street. It’s exciting to learn that it’s now being painted, ready for installation next month. What an opportunity for the Weston College students too to work alongside an acclaimed world-renowned artist.</em></p>
<p><em>“As we continue to focus on the recovery of our town centre, our investment into the cultural sector continues to support local artists, tradespeople and businesses. Weston is alive with cultural activity as never before.”</em></p>
<p>The project has been supported by organisations and businesses in the area including Weston College, Cuppa Architects, the Sovereign that has provided the painting space and YesColours for supplying eco-friendly paints.</p>
<p><strong>Features of the bandstand-shaped shrine design include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>An external and open space</li>
<li>A small performance ‘stage’ area which will be accessed by ramps on two sides with the remaining perimeter of the structure featuring a sheltered seating area</li>
<li>Made entirely from recycled and/or sustainably sourced timber approved by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)</li>
<li>Built offsite by a local artisan carpenter and master joiner</li>
<li>Painted facades and features in Morag Myerscough’s signature multi- coloured style, carrying slogans and affirmations from local people.</li>
</ul>
<p>During the 2021 consultation period, led locally by visual artist and social maker Megan Clark-Bagnall, artist Morag Myerscough engaged with the local community in a series of public sessions. The activity included in-person word and pattern workshops to online discussion forums, capturing local responses to help inform the design process. The result is a co-created artwork that reflects and builds upon the town’s identity, with leading themes emerging such as the importance of pets and animals.</p>
<p>The public artwork is the first in a series of innovative ‘shrines’ planned to appear on Weston’s High Street. From art installations to live arts experiences, the aim is for the work to capture the vitality and values of the local community.</p>
<p><a href="https://cultureweston.org.uk/">For more information about 21st Century super Shrines, click here.</a></p>
<p>At Weston College, we understand and emphasise the importance of planning your dream career, and helping you take all the steps needed to reach that goal.</p>
<p>Making connections with employers is a great way of securing plans for your future, so creating opportunities for learners to meet guest speakers from the industry is a highly valuable part of the courses, particularly the programmes endorsed by the Career Excellence Hub (CEH). When a course is endorsed by the CEH, it means the qualifications have been developed in conjunction with local and national employers, and they have a proven record of helping students gain relevant jobs.</p>
<p>Our Animal Management learners had a great introduction to employers from the industry, through an Animal Careers Fest, held at the Puxton Park campus. Throughout the day, multiple animal-related professionals met the learners to explain their journey to where they are now, answering questions and giving the inside scoop of how to succeed in the animal industry. Pete, from the Reptile Zone in Bristol, was one of the visitors, who bought along Ali G the alligator, and Frank the chameleon. Staff (and guinea pigs!) from Barnaby’s Bunny Barn also gave talks on their experience, as well as the RSPCA.</p>
<p>The learners fully utilised their time with each professional, asking in depth and detailed questions about how to follow in their footsteps. The professionals all explained their advice, following along the similar mantra of “know your stuff!”</p>
<p>Each learner even had the opportunity to hold and interact with Ali G the alligator, as featured in the photographs, which, though daunting, was the highlight of the day!</p>
<p>Click here if you’re interested in looking into animal management, and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… here to find out more about the Career Excellence Hub.</a></p>
