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>Weston College’s Hospitality and Catering <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs?utm_source=homepage-hea… Excellence Hub</a>, has been awarded national success, named as Outstanding Industry Partnerships award winners at The Professional Association of Catering Education (PACE) awards.</p>
<p>PACE is the representative body for hospitality and catering education with a regional and national network of members, and these awards are a celebration of the work that happens on a daily basis in education to develop the future workforce of the hospitality industry.</p>
<p>Weston College was commended for its work during the pandemic, and the opportunities that were created for learners through working with employers, despite difficult circumstances.</p>
<p>Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty for Hospitality, said: “We are so pleased to have won this award, as it reflects the hard work and dedication of not only our staff, but also our students, who continue to impress us and raise the profile of the work we do.</p>
<p>“Our team doesn’t stand still, and we are always looking to create opportunities that will benefit our learners, and that is demonstrated in this award.</p>
<p>“One of the aspects that we were commended for, was our links with employers, and how we deliver regular masterclasses which offers our learners a unique and exciting way to develop their skills – experiencing a range of techniques. We must thank our endorsing employers who work so closely with our curriculum it allows our learners to learn from their journeys, expertise and experience. But also the importance of experience, whether that be through placements or working live events, which is a key part of our delivery at Weston College.”</p>
<p>A huge well done to the Hospitality and Catering team. If you would like to study one of our hospitality courses, you can find out more information, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…;
<p paraeid="{f3a0116b-e82b-4200-bc28-6152e0bfbc05}{161}" paraid="272565932">Our Fashion and Textiles learners at Loxton Campus had the amazing opportunity of hosting a guest lecture from local business owner and dressmaker, Abigail Westrup. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{6f6ae404-e36f-4924-a390-1dc4e59e3566}{228}" paraid="1524174627" xml:lang="EN-GB">Abi set up her business Abigail Westrup Bridal in 2010 in her parent's spare bedroom after she moved back to the Bristol area from her previous design job in London. Since then, the business has massively grown and is now one of the most recommended bridal alterations/dressmaking businesses across the South West and has won numerous awards over the years. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{6f6ae404-e36f-4924-a390-1dc4e59e3566}{218}" paraid="1215021606" xml:lang="EN-GB">During the lecture local business owner Abi discussed what it is like to work within the industry and shared her knowledge to inspire our learners to become the next generation of seamstresses/dressmakers/pattern cutters and business owners! </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{f319848a-9d77-48b8-bb3f-56140caa36fc}{217}" paraid="1203040151" xml:lang="EN-GB">All our Creative Arts courses are taught at our Loxton Campus, the home, heart, and hub of creative arts in Weston. Learners are taught by industry professionals, and are encouraged to find their voice, express their personality in a multitude of art forms and blossom beyond their expectations. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{ec1253aa-1c2b-434a-a598-f9835626be39}{179}" paraid="1826972174" xml:lang="EN-GB">Our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-a…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Fashion and Textiles</a> course gives our learners the chance to explore fashion across a range of disciplines. They will develop an understanding of fashion by experiencing varied disciplines across fashion design, production, digital media, communication, and fashion business. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{ec1253aa-1c2b-434a-a598-f9835626be39}{182}" paraid="2142111092" xml:lang="EN-GB">The <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Fashion and Textiles A-Level</a> course offers the exciting opportunity for our learners to embrace textile art, textile design and elements of fashion looking at the design industry from an artist’s perspective. It introduces our learners to the contemporary approach of the industry and encourage them to flourish as potential textile designers. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4769cad7-ca08-446d-bb07-bb72d368521a}{21}" paraid="130209324" xml:lang="EN-GB">This Fashion and Textiles courses are a part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/84501_Weston%20Col…; 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>
<p paraeid="{f3a0116b-e82b-4200-bc28-6152e0bfbc05}{161}" paraid="272565932"> </p>
<p>Click here to:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… more about the Fashion and Textiles A Level course</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-a… out more about the Level 3 UAL Fashion and Textiles course</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-a… the Art & Design courses on offer</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Read more about Career Excellence Hubs</a> </li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="Learners wow Abatec" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9f59fc17-5a3e-4534-b187-456cc0495aaf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Abatec%20learners%20500pix.png" />Weston College Career Excellence Hub endorser, Abatec Recruitment, challenged our learners to design a mural for Abatec House.</p>
<p>In order for the learners to be successful they had to follow a brief, design something that incorporated Abatec Recruitment’s ethos and branding, and finally, present their ideas in a Dragons Den style.</p>
<p>With over 20 entries, and a very high standard to choose from, two learners were crowned victorious, Chloe Parker and Lilly Greer.</p>
<p>Rob Dyer, Director at Abatec Recruitment, said: “We have been really impressed with that standard of work from these entries.</p>
<p>“All of the learners that took part did a great job, and it was very difficult to choose one winner, so we have decided to display two murals.</p>
<p>“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone that took part, and congratulations to both Chloe and Lilly, who’s murals have helped to invigorate our offices!”</p>
<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, added: “We’re so proud of our learners, who showcased their skills and creativity to a really high standard.</p>
<p>“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Chloe and Lilly, their final pieces were highly impressive.”</p>
<p>If you’d like to find out how you can engage with our learners, contact us via email: employers@weston.ac.uk.</p>
