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>The Digital industry is growing at a quick pace – 6x quicker than any other industry in the UK, with lots of exciting opportunities to work with the latest technology available in the area.</p>
<p>In order to meet the growing demand of industry, we have launched our brand-new Digital Career Excellence Hub, which provides opportunities for our learners to develop the skills needed by local employers – and get a head start on their career!</p>
<p>Students will use ‘real world learning’, with a curriculum that is co-designed by our employer endorsers, focussing on employer briefs and real-life scenarios to encourage up to the minute workplace problem solving. On top of that, as a Microsoft Showcase College, we will upskill learners with the latest digital tools and technologies.</p>
<p>As mentioned, skills is a critical element of our Digital Career Excellence Hub, with learners working on their hard skills such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Vendor Certifications</li>
<li>Systems Thinking</li>
<li>E-safety</li>
<li>Commercial Awareness</li>
<li>Research</li>
</ul>
<p>And their soft skills as well, some which include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Problem Solving</li>
<li>Communication</li>
<li>Teamwork</li>
<li>Organisation</li>
<li>Innovation</li>
</ul>
<p>Digital organisation, Eloquent Technologies is one of our digital endorsers, and their Managing Director, David Ford said: “The biggest constraint to growth is finding exceptional talent. We partner with Weston College to future proof our business, working with young talent, which has proved to be an effective pathway for our business.”</p>
<p>Through this partnership, and the Career Excellence Hub, our digital learners have the opportunity to gain vital work experience with local employers like Eloquent Technologies, which is a real benefit to those studying courses with us at Weston College.</p>
<p>You can find out more about our Career Excellence Hubs, and the benefits that they bring, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">here</a>.</p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{f92aeef0-7eb2-4f67-af38-da47f68e70c9}{78}" paraid="1915338206" xml:lang="EN-GB">Our Fashion and Textiles learners have worked all term practicing their skills and considering contemporary print designs that could be used in high street stores. Take a look at some of the amazing designs. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{2feb5a93-74e2-4dca-a39e-257a892f7bea}{193}" paraid="1052305543" xml:lang="EN-GB">All of 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="{2feb5a93-74e2-4dca-a39e-257a892f7bea}{196}" paraid="796150555" xml:lang="EN-GB">As a student on 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 learners are given the chance to explore fashion and develop their understanding of fashion by experiencing varied disciplines across fashion design, production, digital media, communication, and fashion business. The 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="{f185c763-fb19-466a-bc03-37a3165a56f4}{213}" paraid="1447900682" xml:lang="EN-GB">The 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>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> </p>
<p>The Hospitality industry has always been dynamic and exciting to work in, and with restrictions lifting and everyone resuming life as normal, restaurants and hotels are hiring more staff than ever! This industry is worth over £59 billion in the UK alone!</p>
<p>The Hospitality Career Excellence Hub prepares learners for the world of employment and for a life in their chosen industry. Students will take away absolutely loads of skills required to work in Hospitality all of which can be put on a CV to impress future employers.</p>
<p>It focusses on work experience which is a fantastic way to gain knowledge of an industry and how it works while learning skills that can be applied to College at the same time.</p>
<p>Hospitality learners will learn in Weston College’s state-of-the-art training kitchen called The Grove. This kitchen is fully equipped with all of the facilities that will be used in industry. The Grove also features a spacious dining room and a bar, offering students a chance to learn about setting and waiting tables. </p>
<p>Learners have a monthly masterclass from top chefs from the local area. These classes teach a wide range of skills and disciplines including butchery, sausage making and working with seafood. Chefs who have provided masterclasses in the past include Martin Felstead, from Greenway Farm and Mark Chapman - the Executive Chef from Gambas Tapas Bar, Bristol.</p>
<p>Dan Flannagan from the Liberation Group said “We are proud of our Somerset roots and having grown our business in this area, a relationship with Weston College seemed a natural step. Weston has a superb set up and our partnership will provide a huge benefit for us as a business to develop future talent, but also for learners to gain vital experience and develop the skills needed for industry.”</p>
<p>For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our awesome Hospitality Career Excellence Hub, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… here</a>.</p>
