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 summer we were presented with a really exciting opportunity, to create a new forest school for our Education and Early Years students!</p><p>It has been fantastic to see this come to fruition, with support from across faculty to make this such an exciting environment for learners. A couple of weeks ago, we joined forces with Construction staff to clear the brambles and build a wooden bridge to make the area safe and ready for learners.</p><p>The concept of Forest Schools originated in Scandinavia. The teaching approach was widely adopted in Denmark throughout the 1980’s and was believed to be the solution to the lack of indoor facilities for Pre-School children.</p><p>In the early 1990’s a group of nursery practitioners visited Sweden and witnessed the benefits. Following their return to the UK they developed a programme for Forest Schools. Forest Schools has now become widely accepted across the UK and the approach has taken on its own unique flavour which is being adopted elsewhere in the world.</p><p>The Education Career Excellence Hub at Weston College has always spent time on the theories and delivery linked to Forest schools, but this year with the support of our Future Business Partner’s Puxton Park and Busy Buddies, our learners can experience their own dedicated area on a weekly basis.</p><p>At Weston College we are committed to supporting learners to become more environmentally conscious, and we are always looking for ways to help the younger generations appreciate the outdoors and natural environments – with this being the next step in our journey.</p><p>There is also an increasing awareness of the importance of understanding wellbeing and self-development from a young age, so it is vital that our learners here at Weston College get the chance to understand and develop the skills required as they enter this Education sector changing for the future.</p><p>Going forward, our T Level learners will be instrumental in designing this space as part of their programme, and will study the holistic and learner led approach where space allows children to take risk and problem – solving a natural environment.</p><p>The Education Career Excellence Hub at Weston College delivers a wide range of courses where learners can go on into a teaching profession, teaching assistant, nursery professional, childminder or educational support. <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w… our full suite of course, by clicking here</a>.</p><p><em>Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty for Service Sectors</em></p>
<p>The field of Designing, Surveying and Planning in the Construction industry is a broad one, but highly important to the development of societies. The stages that go into construction require huge amounts of time and dedication, but ultimately results in great success!</p>
<p>This field is a great path to go down, and an increase in the workforce in this profession would be highly beneficial to the field, but one that includes more equality and balance would be a massive step forward for the reputation of construction. Construction is often seen as a ‘male’ job, and we want to help show that anyone, regardless of gender, can have a successful career in construction.</p>
<p>So, we want to present 5 reasons why this could be the perfect career choice for you, and kickstart your path in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning!</p>
<p>1.<strong> Important work!</strong> As previously mentioned, this line of work is highly important in supplying new homes and buildings for towns and cities as the demand increases, and pre-empting this demand with the planning aspect of the sector.</p>
<p>2. <strong>Keeping busy! </strong>This career choice will be demanding in terms of needing to be easily adaptable to picking up new skills, as it will likely be ever changing, and you’ll be expected to keep up with what’s expected of you. However, this will mean the job will not get boring, and you’ll always be kept busy!</p>
<p>3. <strong>Specialised qualifications to get you in the job!</strong> The courses, including <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…;, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Levels</a> and<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; transition programmes</a>, are offered to both <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… leavers</a> and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/course-finder?… Weston College. These courses are specifically designed to prepare you for this career choice, with a great balance of academic college learning for the theory side, and workplace experience to provide you with practical knowledge.</p>
<p>4. <strong>Specialise in your strongest area! </strong>After selecting which course is best suited to you, and completing the course, you will be able to decide which aspect of the sector is best suited to your natural skillset, and which you could see being your future career. Opportunities in the industry could include civil engineering, technical surveyor, architect, building technician, building control officer, town planning assistant and geospatial technician, along with many more.</p>
<p>5. <strong>Financially beneficial!</strong> Some of the careers listed above have great starting salaries, with the opportunity to progress and gain more qualifications while you work, for example a <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/subject/engineering-and-construction/">degree with UCW</a>. The more skilled you become in your chosen sector, the more you will be financially rewarded! Construction Site Managers can earn, on average, £47,500!</p>
<p>Over <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/why-choose-us/our-work-employers">2,500 employers</a> who work with Weston College are looking to attract their future workforce and give our learners great opportunities to begin their careers. Work placements are often a great way to begin your career, so by studying courses with Weston College and undertaking work experience, we hope to make the process of securing a job smoother and easier!</p>
<p>Starting out on a new career path is one of the most exciting things a young person can ever do. The learning of new skills, meeting new people in all sorts of different jobs, going to new places, and embracing what’s to come. At Thatchers we really appreciate what an important step taking on a new career is, and through our Early Careers Programme one of the most important things we can do is listen, encourage and offer the best training around.</p>
<p>We know that we have a huge responsibility to make sure you’re receiving the best advice, the best mentoring, and the best opportunities. And we’re helping you unlock your future.</p>
<p>We’re so lucky at Thatchers to be able to offer a range of <a href="https://www.thatcherscider.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships/">apprenticesh…; and <a href="https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/traineeship/1000075865">t…; all based here at Myrtle Farm. Whatever your skill set, whatever your ambitions, come and talk to us. Give it a go - we’d love to hear from you.</p>
<p>Our apprentices have learned how to be cider makers, how to care for our orchards, and how to be part of our successful commercial team. Every day is different at Myrtle Farm, and if we ask our apprentices what they’ve got out of being part of the Thatchers family, we hear words such as confidence, self-esteem, skills, getting the best of both worlds, experience – and a career within a growing, successful company.</p>
<p>If hospitality is where you see your future, then we’ve got some great opportunities at our beautiful pub and restaurant, The Railway Inn, here in Sandford.</p>
<p>Through our brand new<a href="https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/traineeship/1000075865"> traineeships</a> we’ve set up with Weston College, we’re now able to offer more opportunities at The Railway Inn – what could be a better way to learn and develop your skills within hospitality and catering.</p>
<p>Are you a creative and see yourself using your flair and technical skills as part of a dynamic kitchen team? Or do you have a love for meeting and greeting new people, offering the highest levels of customer service, and experiencing the buzz and excitement of working at events?</p>
<p>If you’re following a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… course at Weston College</a>, we’d love to hear from you. Being a part of our traineeship could lead to a full-time position with Thatchers, or perhaps could lead to one of our award-winning apprenticeships.</p>
<p>We’ve currently got positions for a Trainee Commis Chef, working closely with our head chef James and his brilliant team. We looking for someone who can work in a fast paced and high pressured environment, and who has a flair and passion for delivering high standards of food. Or are you someone who would thrive in a public facing role that requires good initiative and attentiveness towards providing top quality service to every single customer. If so, then one of our front of house roles working with Leigh and her enthusiastic and passionate team may be for you.</p>
<p>We know these are more than just jobs. They could be your future. So we’ll be running skills workshops, masterclasses and a host of other training opportunities that will complement your college learning, and will form the basis of an exciting future within the hospitality industry.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thatcherscider.co.uk/careers/">Check out our website</a>, or chat to <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/supporting-you/careers-advice">Weston College Recruitment team</a>. We look forward to being a part of your future!</p>
<p><em>- Emma Cox, Thatchers Cider </em></p>
