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>Public Services learners are part of an initiative called Career Excellence Hubs. This is an initiative to give all of our learners interesting and high-quality work experience. This is vital for learners to get a feel for the working environment and what a job in public services would be like for them. Despite the learner working independently with the employer for work experience, they are always supported to find a placement, and support is given throughout the placement.</p>
<p>Some of the skills that would be learned through public services work experience are discipline, teamwork, and an understanding of duty. On top of this, work experience can teach lots of soft skills like punctuality, respect, and reliability. As well as teaching these skills, work experience can also be used by learners to get their foot in the door for an employer they want to work for in the future. Employers are more likely to seek out someone who has experience of the company.</p>
<p>There are many jobs that people who study public services can go into. For example, students can work for the police or as a firefighter – saving lives in a highly respected role. The armed forces also seek public services, with branches such as the army, navy, air force and the marines. Weston College works with both Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue as part of the Career Excellence Hubs.</p>
<p>Public services learners will study at the whole seventh and eighth floors of Weston College’s Knightstone Campus. This area features a gym, classrooms, and a massive sports hall with a climbing wall, perfect for learning about fitness and service.</p>
<p>For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our incredible Career Excellence Hub for Public Services, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/publi… here</a>.</p>
<p>Student's from the Criminology course at <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… College Sixth Form</a> visited <a href="https://www.sheptonmalletprison.com/">Shepton Mallet Prison</a> to further develop their understanding of the criminal justice system.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… 3 Criminology BTEC Diploma</a> (equivalent to one A Level) is studied alongside two other A Level subjects and includes elements of psychology, law and sociology.</p>
<p>The programme leads to the development of knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system, awareness of the cause and effects of different types of crime. You will also examine theories that explain the behaviours and reasons why people commit crime.</p>
<p>Taking place just before the Christmas break, the prison visit provided the second year students with a tour of the prison itself accompanied by a former prison officer, they also experienced a lock in the cells and an extensive question and answer session with the prison staff.</p>
<p>Trips such as these are one of the career-boosting benefits that stem from the college’s newly formed <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2021-10/84501_Weston%20Col… Form 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>
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<p><strong>Click to:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… more about Criminology BTEC Diploma</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… the wide range of A Level subjects available at our Sixth Form</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Read more about the college's Career Excellence Hubs</a></li>
</ul>
<p>The Automotive industry is exciting and dynamic. Cars are everywhere, and they often need servicing, repairs and enhancements!</p>
<p>The Automotive Career Excellence Hub is a way for Weston College learners to enter industry while being supported the whole way through. Learners have the chance to get vital experience in what a mechanic’s workshop is actually like which will prove incredibly useful for their future career.</p>
<p>Learners will benefit from meeting mechanics and being able to get their foot in the door early for future employment in these workshops. Some of the skills learned in these work placements could include body repairs, paint, working on interior & trim, and repairing the electrical systems on a vehicle.</p>
<p>Careers that learners in the Automotive Career Excellence Hub can go into include being a vehicle technician, mechanic or electrician, vehicle body repairer, vehicle paint technician, or a parts salesperson or advisor. These careers are lucrative, with individuals in these roles earning a good living. For example, a vehicle technician earns on average £26,068.</p>
<p>On top of attending the Career Excellence Hub, learners will be able to study at one of our three full-size Automotive workshops at the South West Skills Campus. This area features working vehicle ramps and all of the tools that learners will find in industry. The Automotive team also has several cars which can be worked on by learners to learn crucial skills such as servicing, diagnostics and repair. These vehicles are changed and updated frequently to provide further experience of different models and issues.</p>
<p>For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our amazing Career Excellence Hub for Automotive, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor… here</a>. </p>
