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...
Select a Course Subject:
Search courses by keyword:
Search by Keyword:
Select a Career:
Scroll down to view our courses
or select a section to jump to:
Scroll down to view our courses
or select a section to jump to:
Select a Subject
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="{408f6be4-8408-4293-885a-86301482e2d1}{170}" paraid="236615654">If their plant-astic performance of <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/photo-gallery-little-shop-horrors">Little Shop of Horrors</a> wasn’t enough, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a> learners have closed the curtain on the year with an incredible visit to New York City! </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{9d0877c9-1762-46e2-b88f-ad14df216a12}{127}" paraid="786312951" xml:lang="EN-GB">As well as a well-deserved trip away, the outgoing group visited New York for it’s world-famous theatres and Broadway performances – getting first-hand experience of performance and production from across the pond. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{1ea9a116-94bb-4f7f-a576-3ec37faac207}{40}" paraid="1167732091" xml:lang="EN-GB">Learners got to have an exclusive backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, the largest theatre in the world, before returning to watch “Chicago” the musical on Broadway. </p>
<drupal-entity alt=""chicago the musical sign outside theatre"" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":""}" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fae8a0ab-d715-4532-abca-3a3eb13b1104" data-langcode="en"></drupal-entity>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{ac1c1a56-7906-4b27-b376-3c5beb924ce9}{90}" paraid="76792077" xml:lang="EN-GB"><br />
Level 3 learner Emily Drohan added that her “favourite part of the trip was of course getting to see a Broadway show! We had the pleasure of seeing the musical ‘Chicago’ in the Ambassador Theatre. I have dreamt about going to New York and seeing a Broadway show since I was a child so being able to see some of the most talented people in our industry on stage was very inspirational and incredible to watch.” </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{6de8d891-c0c3-4b58-bf38-e7cf6b117500}{80}" paraid="773439793" xml:lang="EN-GB">On top of this, students went on a hip-hop tour of Brooklyn before getting camera-ready for tourist trips to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Ferry Trip and Times Square – just a moments walk form the group’s hotel! </p>
<drupal-entity alt=""performing arts students stood next to the statue of liberty in new york"" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":""}" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf1a13f1-fb28-4267-9bb2-b1576bf52fc0" data-langcode="en"></drupal-entity>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{139}" paraid="321699069" xml:lang="EN-GB"><br />
Emily continued: “On this trip I learnt how committed you must be to work in performing arts. During our trip home one of my lecturers said to me ‘imagine having to go and do 2 performances now after all this travelling throughout the night’ because when touring in this industry that is exactly what would happen! Learning realistic facts about the industry allows me to then make educated decisions about what career I want to do within the industry.” </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{7f55aa72-1134-41db-b6b6-f8f8106be522}{37}" paraid="157550873" xml:lang="EN-GB">Once in a lifetime trips such as this are one of the career-boosting benefits that stem from the college’s newly formed <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Creative Arts Career Excellence Hub</a>. These innovative subject specific hubs allow for students at Weston College to have access to exclusive opportunities. Endorsed by employers from within the industry, this enables for better integration with the sector to make sure class content is relative and opens doors for learners so they leave college with more than just a qualification. </p>
<drupal-entity alt=""performing arts students stood on stage in broadway theatre"" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":""}" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="da526af2-aeea-462f-9381-ae73645e87c4" data-langcode="en"></drupal-entity>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{f9edbb50-736a-4736-b207-dda8f32c439b}{166}" paraid="714601147" xml:lang="EN-GB"><br />
Finally, Emily tells us about her time studying at Weston College: </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB">"I recommend studying performing arts because it is tons of fun but also teaches you about the many career choices available within performing arts. Thanks to my lecturers I always felt safe, supported and respected.</p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB">"Another point is the amazing opportunities you get on this course. In the last two years I have been to both the west end and Broadway to watch performances, I have worked with a professional touring company backstage with costumes, I have taken part in a NatWest advert and done a workshop with DanceWorks London. All these experiences has allowed me to have an amazing level of knowledge and skills that will support me in my next steps."</p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB"> </p>
<h2 lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… here to learn more about our phenomenal performing arts courses, perfect for anyone interested in a career in in acting, musical theatre or dance</a></h2>
<p><strong>Our incredible cohort of <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… arts</a> learners took to the stage at The Blakehay Theatre in May 2022 for their final show of the year: Little Shop of Horrors!</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Little Shop of Horrors is a mouth-watering sci-fi horror musical with a 60s pop/rock score, guaranteed to keep you away from any florist for a looooong time!</p>
<p>This electrifying musical features numbers such as Suddenly Seymour, Be a Dentist, Somewhere That’s Green, and of course the title song Little Shop of Horrors.</p>
<p>The meek and dejected assistant Seymour happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush on the simple and downtrodden Audrey. Little does he know that this unusual plant will develop an unquenchable thirst for HUMAN BLOOD!</p>
<p>85 learners from <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours… Learning</a> have participated in the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Each award has three aspects: volunteering, learning a new skill, and sport activities - as well as a hiking expedition in teams.</p>
<p>The Duke of Edinburgh was particularly popular this year, as it allowed learners to get active outdoors with their friends – something they missed during the pandemic.</p>
<p>19 DofE expeditions have run from May till June, involving the learners undertaking the award. These expeditions consisted of walking 6 hours, and up to 10 miles a day over the Mendip hills.</p>
<p>It wasn’t an easy expedition either, with constantly changing conditions, which included braving extreme heart and rain to complete the hike, but found music, singing, and general high spirits were the keys to keeping the enthusiasm high.</p>
<p>All the learners completed the expedition with smiles on their faces and great comradery, each demonstrating great pride in achieving the widely recognised award.</p>
<p>We asked some of the young people who took part in the expedition. One learner said:</p>
<p>“The expedition has been so fun, and challenging at times. On the first day I struggled with my health, but other than that it’s been great fun. we played uno, and roasted marshmallows which was fun for everyone.”</p>
<p>Another learner commented:</p>
<p>“I’ve found the expedition challenging because of the heat and the distance on day 2. What has been good in the expedition was being able to have breaks on the long distance walks and having music on the walks and being with the team and getting through it together”</p>
<p>We’re so proud of all our learners who completed the Duke of Edinburgh award, and we hope you find the skills you developed highly beneficial to your future.</p>
