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>Last Wednesday, we welcomed Hydrock to our South West Skills Campus, to inspire our T Level learners from Engineering and Civil Engineering.</p>
<p>Employer engagement and focussing on careers is a key part of our course delivery, with learners gaining insight from industry to enhance their learning experience.</p>
<p>Hydrock who are passionate about addressing global challenges through smart engineering solutions, delivered three engaging sessions to our learners, which focussed on sustainability, and also developing key soft skills required by employers.</p>
<p>The sessions included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Future Communities – learners designed their own community</li>
<li>Soft Skills Development – several activities which aimed to develop communication, empathy and assertiveness</li>
<li>Career and CV Workshop</li>
</ul>
<p>Dave LeFeuvre, Subject Area Manager for Building Services, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Hydrock, who delivered some really creative activities for our learners, which got them thinking outside the box to tackle challenges. The learners have commented on how beneficial they found the experience.</p>
<p>“On the back of this session, several of our learners are now looking to complete their industry placement with Hydrock, which is fantastic news.</p>
<p>“At Weston College we feel it is important to connect our students with employers, to bring industry to life in the classroom.”</p>
<p>Find out more about our T Level courses by click the course of interest, below.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Engineering</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin…;
</ul>
<p paraeid="{a25d123b-405b-4151-b986-a7fd8232a498}{170}" paraid="1286856855">Are you interested in pursuing a qualification that not only gives you in-depth knowledge and understanding in the classroom, but also utilises the workplace to help you learn and develop? </p>
<p paraeid="{a25d123b-405b-4151-b986-a7fd8232a498}{182}" paraid="1980091488">A <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Level </a>could be the best pathway for you! </p>
<p paraeid="{a25d123b-405b-4151-b986-a7fd8232a498}{188}" paraid="1820857880">Weston College offers a vast range of exciting and industry-relevant T Level courses. From <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Accounting</a> to <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Education and Childcare</a>, you can progress towards a career in any field you choose while gaining real-world experience! </p>
<p paraeid="{a25d123b-405b-4151-b986-a7fd8232a498}{227}" paraid="203012471">Created with industry in mind, T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need. To find out more about the wide range of T Levels on offer at Weston College, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p>
<p paraeid="{a25d123b-405b-4151-b986-a7fd8232a498}{249}" paraid="1987696791">Recently we sat down with second year <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Design, Surveying and Planning</a> learner, Josh, to find out about his experience studying a T Level at Weston College. </p>
<p paraeid="{e85336f3-9eac-419b-8452-bba4d6f5209f}{11}" paraid="1393360740">Designed and developed in collaboration with key employers from the construction sector, such as <a href="https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/">Wessex Water</a>, <a href="https://www.gallifordtry.co.uk/">Galliford Try</a> and <a href="https://www.balfourbeatty.com/">Balfour Beatty</a>, the T Level Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning programme is a mixture of college and work-based learning. This gives our learners the technical skills and workplace experience they need to kick-start their construction career. </p>
<p paraeid="{e85336f3-9eac-419b-8452-bba4d6f5209f}{37}" paraid="1241914398">Josh, who is currently thriving in a work placement with <a href="https://www.real-group.co.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Real Group Ltd.</a> in Bristol, tells us how he was drawn to T Level study due to the experience you can gain. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{ec956e3e-bddd-4143-bdd6-9f173e474450}{212}" paraid="1320466927" xml:lang="EN-GB">Real Group Ltd. Is a contractor, developer and investor company that works in partnership with local authorities, registered providers and private clients to create high-quality, vibrant communities. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{c0946e30-f909-407e-98cd-8f80ebea77b7}{93}" paraid="1193942398" xml:lang="EN-GB">Josh explains: </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{087551c2-4c9f-4f2a-994f-2433fb31b1a0}{161}" paraid="871336013" xml:lang="EN-GB">“At Real Group Ltd. I am responsible for a vast swathe of things, mainly take-offs for fire stopping, paint, skirting/architrave, and payment notices for sub-contractors. I very much enjoy it and I really feel like a valued member of the team.” </p>
<h4 lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{2cf254aa-3b06-44c9-9f5f-8daad43730a8}{31}" paraid="1622883480" xml:lang="EN-GB">We also asked Josh; how has your course helped equip you for the workplace? </h4>
<p paraeid="{e85336f3-9eac-419b-8452-bba4d6f5209f}{63}" paraid="490671359">“I've learnt the early stages of Quantity Surveying work, which is getting utilised to its fullest here! </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{e6015901-cfb2-41c1-9e0a-f83c3e5f01f1}{210}" paraid="434112176" xml:lang="EN-GB">My plans, after T Levels, are a degree apprenticeship with a construction firm doing Quantity Surveying. with the relationships I've made within my placement, I'm sure there will be some firms who would run at the chance to take me on.” </p>
<h4 lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{f1af311a-e4ad-42de-958e-479b570b3679}{168}" paraid="1331968468" xml:lang="EN-GB">Is there any advice you would like to give someone thinking about embarking on a T Level in Design Surveying and Planning? </h4>
<p paraeid="{e85336f3-9eac-419b-8452-bba4d6f5209f}{75}" paraid="77082647">“My main advice would be: know what you want and be ready for a lot of tough work. You need to be passionate because that passion will flourish, letting you really excel in your field!” </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4aa98319-ab44-4c01-bebf-3ebf34678cbf}{182}" paraid="1492465901" xml:lang="EN-GB">Amazing work Josh! </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{70bb776a-5637-4331-b87f-f6b4a7adaccc}{37}" paraid="598660481" xml:lang="EN-GB">If you would like to find out more about T Level Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… here</a>. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{5ed23ac7-4486-4f96-987f-52d64b1df45d}{138}" paraid="1860865089" xml:lang="EN-GB">To find our more about all of the T Level opportunities available at Weston College, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… here</a>. </p>
<p>It is the <a href="https://www.worldskillsuk.org/">WorldSkills</a> National Finals next week (w/c 14th November). This event is the culmination of an exciting development programme, designed and assessed by industry experts, which judge an individual’s employability, personal and technical skills. There will be a total of 62 finals between 7 venues, and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/worldskills">Weston College</a> will be running the Website Development Competition at the Middlesborough venue!</p>
<p>Three of our own computing learners, Finley, Mircea and Skylar will be competing, and we wish them the very best of luck, as well as five other finalists from all over the country. We are looking forward to seeing who takes home the trophy!</p>
<p>As well as boosting skills and confidence, if competitors impress under the pressure of the finals, they could being with a chance of representing the UK at the “skills Olympics” in France 2024.</p>
<p>Steph McGovern will announce the winners on Friday, 25th November in a special medal ceremony, live-streamed to the WorldSkills UK website, from her Packed Lunch studio.</p>
<p>Sandra Bull, the Dean of the Faculty, commented: “We are so proud of the learners going to compete in the WorldSkills National Finals – it is a huge achievement for the college, and is a testament to the talent and ambition that is created here. This achievement, of course, would not be possible without our wonderful staff, who give endless encouragement and support to our learners, so a huge thank you from me, to every staff member that has been involved with this opportunity. Good luck to every participant competing, we can’t wait to celebrate your expertise.”</p>
