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>This week plumbing learners from our Construction Career Excellence Hub, were treated to a visit from German specialist tool manufacturers, REMS.</p><p>Daniel Parker, Regional Product Engineer at REMS, delivered a brilliant guest talk, whilst also showcasing the wide product range on offer. Daniel said: “It was a real pleasure to show off our product range to the next generation of Plumbing and Heating Engineers, the lads were really enthusiastic and a real credit to the College.”</p><p>The learners were all engaged, and enjoyed hearing from the industry – something that is a critical part of the delivery at Weston College, through the Career Excellence Hubs.</p><p>Ethan Sampson, who is a second year plumbing and heating technician apprentice with Gas Safe Ltd, was in attendance and commented: “I really enjoy it when manufacturers come in and do demonstrations because it really helps me to relate our theory lessons, and look at the new products on the market we will be using in future within the plumbing industry. When I talk to other people in the industry, they have told me that they didn’t receive this type of support at college.”</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… you would like to find out more about the courses we offer in plumbing, click here.</a></p>
<p>Scaffolding apprentices training at the Construction Training Centre, are going from strength to strength.</p><p>Before the Construction Training Centre opened, learners from the South West had long distances to travel in order to gain scaffolding accreditation, but now that is not the case.</p><p>Delivered in partnership with SIMIAN, the Scaffolding Apprenticeship is accredited to the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). On the apprenticeship, learners develop their knowledge and work-based skills focusing on health and safety; handling, stacking, servicing and inspecting scaffolding materials.</p><p>Last year we started working Apex Scaffolding, and four of their apprentices are thriving as a result.</p><p><strong>Curtis</strong> is currently at Stage 1a of his apprenticeship. He is particularly enjoying the hands-on aspect of the course and being part of a team that allows him to gain the valuable skills necessary for supporting colleagues as and when needed.</p><p><strong>Kieran and Sam</strong> are currently at Stage 1b of their course, and both enjoy the wide variety of sites and project that a scaffolding career allows them to work on.</p><p><strong>Charlie</strong> is in the very initial stages of his apprenticeship but is eager to learn more throughout the course at the Weston centre.</p><p>Matthew Cousins, Commercial Director at Apex Scaffolding, has said: “For anyone who is considering the apprenticeship route to becoming a scaffolder, the team have shown they’re able to provide excellent tuition, especially when candidates require the extra functional skills course of English and Maths.”</p><p><a href="https://www.construction-training-centre.co.uk/training/scaffolding/sca… out more about the scaffolding apprenticeships on offer at the Construction Training Centre, by clicking here.</a></p>
<p paraeid="{8e8ba9d8-2a05-436c-bfaf-6b937e36a7e8}{161}" paraid="1370323963">Are you looking for your next step in becoming a healthcare professional? We have some great news for you! </p><p paraeid="{8e8ba9d8-2a05-436c-bfaf-6b937e36a7e8}{167}" paraid="657595657">At Weston College, we believe that a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… Level in Health</a> is the perfect course to help you gain vital skills, develop professional AND academic knowledge and kickstart your career! </p><p paraeid="{8e8ba9d8-2a05-436c-bfaf-6b937e36a7e8}{187}" paraid="1704333789">Delivered at our Health and Active Living Skills Centre (HALSC), Health T Level learners benefit from our top-of-the-range, industry-standard facilities. These include the Immersive Simulation Room – built to act as preparation for a real hospital environment. </p><p paraeid="{8e8ba9d8-2a05-436c-bfaf-6b937e36a7e8}{247}" paraid="1980978603">Studying a T Level in Health means you'll get the best of both worlds: a top-notch technical qualification, plus real-world experience that will give you a competitive edge when it comes to career development. </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{4}" paraid="274602459">T Levels are now considered the new gold standard in technical qualifications, a key part of training the next wave of healthcare workers. Our courses are designed in collaboration with leading industry professionals to provide you with the skills you need to succeed in a career in health. </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{14}" paraid="1410951558">Students studying Health T Level are given the opportunity to work within the health industry, with many learners completing placements at hospitals and clinics like <a href="https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/brist…;, <a href="https://www.waht.nhs.uk/">Weston</a> and <a href="https://www.sirona-cic.org.uk/">Sirona</a> across areas such as cardiology, orthopaedics and trauma. </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{59}" paraid="869390592">Within these highly sought-after placements, students are encouraged to learn about physical diagnosis and treatment with the support of experienced nurses, doctors and other health professionals. This way of studying pushes our learners to develop their technical knowledge by learning about medical equipment and clinical tasks, as well as about the patients themselves. Learners gain experience working with people from different backgrounds and become more familiar and confident in understanding a range of patient needs and how to approach them. </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{122}" paraid="173283725">With this in mind, we’re shining a spotlight on our amazing second year Health T Level learners by celebrating the shining success they’ve had throughout their recent industry placements at BRI, Weston and Sirona. </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{186}" paraid="1660628850">Industry professional mentors have given our learners, Rubie, Bella, Maddie, Ellie, Chris and Maya, glowing reviews – stating they are “amazing and confident! They are able to speak to patients, support with observations, answer call bells and monitor food and fluid intakes. They have integrated into the team and have shown such enthusiasm to learn and ask questions.” </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{216}" paraid="1608320285">We also caught up with learner, Christiana, who told us: </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{228}" paraid="919155635">“My work placement was at Weston General Hospital </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{236}" paraid="150570759">I absolutely loved it, having hands on experience in the hospital was so beneficial to my education and supported me in learning how to apply what I learnt in college to real life. The staff were all so welcoming and eager to show me the ropes. </p><p paraeid="{369f95fc-7936-41f7-9799-17363026dfc4}{242}" paraid="1798443674">My favourite part of my placement was learning the tricks of the trade and using the different equipment in a clinical setting. I also enjoyed exploring different parts of the hospital such as radiology and the surgical department and talking to different members of the multidisciplinary team.” </p><p paraeid="{28c0593d-5b5b-4452-9d39-7a376735ceba}{1}" paraid="920390966">Amazing stuff! </p><p paraeid="{28c0593d-5b5b-4452-9d39-7a376735ceba}{7}" paraid="590886585">To find out more about why you should study a T Level in Health, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… here</a>. </p><p paraeid="{28c0593d-5b5b-4452-9d39-7a376735ceba}{13}" paraid="555944260">To discover more opportunities in T Levels, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… here</a>. </p>
