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>When welcoming learners on work experience into Touch of Beauty, we expect someone with a driven and motivated mindset, who is keen to learn on the job.</p>
<p>Our learner who came to experience a hands-on approach to learning <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/beauty-therapy… Therapy</a> was Faye. She exuded herself with outstanding confidence when working and engaging with clients due to her natural ability to chat to anyone.</p>
<p>When being taught different treatments that were offered at the salon, she got stuck in, regularly asking questions and determined to watch how to correctly carry out the procedure to improve to become a better beauty technician. She had completed a few pedicures and gel polish removals for clients, and learnt the do’s and don’ts of more technical processes such as eyelash extensions and eyebrow lamination.</p>
<p>As well as work experience benefiting Faye through her learning crucial skills, her being there also was a huge help to us. She would go above and beyond to help everyone in there, both staff and clients, and would clean up behind us before we could even ask her!</p>
<p>From the experience and skills she gained while working with us, we could see Faye was focused on succeeding in the beauty industry, and we are confident she is going to achieve this goal.</p>
<p>Faye was a fantastic compliment to the salon, and lived up to our excellent reputation, we really don’t want her to leave!</p>
<p>We would highly recommend taking on work experience learners from the college, as they are keen to learn, and will give you the helping hand you need; it benefits you as much as it benefits them! It gives the learners a huge amount of experience to continue on developing skills to secure a full time job in the industry.</p>
<p><em>Eleanor Kirby, Touch of Beauty</em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/students/industry-placements-and-work-experien… out about work experiences opportunities we offer and how to apply, here!</a></p>
<p paraeid="{408f6be4-8408-4293-885a-86301482e2d1}{170}" paraid="236615654">If their plant-astic performance of <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/photo-gallery-little-shop-horrors">Little Shop of Horrors</a> wasn’t enough, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a> learners have closed the curtain on the year with an incredible visit to New York City! </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{9d0877c9-1762-46e2-b88f-ad14df216a12}{127}" paraid="786312951" xml:lang="EN-GB">As well as a well-deserved trip away, the outgoing group visited New York for it’s world-famous theatres and Broadway performances – getting first-hand experience of performance and production from across the pond. </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{1ea9a116-94bb-4f7f-a576-3ec37faac207}{40}" paraid="1167732091" xml:lang="EN-GB">Learners got to have an exclusive backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, the largest theatre in the world, before returning to watch “Chicago” the musical on Broadway. </p>
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Level 3 learner Emily Drohan added that her “favourite part of the trip was of course getting to see a Broadway show! We had the pleasure of seeing the musical ‘Chicago’ in the Ambassador Theatre. I have dreamt about going to New York and seeing a Broadway show since I was a child so being able to see some of the most talented people in our industry on stage was very inspirational and incredible to watch.” </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{6de8d891-c0c3-4b58-bf38-e7cf6b117500}{80}" paraid="773439793" xml:lang="EN-GB">On top of this, students went on a hip-hop tour of Brooklyn before getting camera-ready for tourist trips to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Ferry Trip and Times Square – just a moments walk form the group’s hotel! </p>
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Emily continued: “On this trip I learnt how committed you must be to work in performing arts. During our trip home one of my lecturers said to me ‘imagine having to go and do 2 performances now after all this travelling throughout the night’ because when touring in this industry that is exactly what would happen! Learning realistic facts about the industry allows me to then make educated decisions about what career I want to do within the industry.” </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{7f55aa72-1134-41db-b6b6-f8f8106be522}{37}" paraid="157550873" xml:lang="EN-GB">Once in a lifetime trips such as this are one of the career-boosting benefits that stem from the college’s newly formed <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs" 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>
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Finally, Emily tells us about her time studying at Weston College: </p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB">"I recommend studying performing arts because it is tons of fun but also teaches you about the many career choices available within performing arts. Thanks to my lecturers I always felt safe, supported and respected.</p>
<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB">"Another point is the amazing opportunities you get on this course. In the last two years I have been to both the west end and Broadway to watch performances, I have worked with a professional touring company backstage with costumes, I have taken part in a NatWest advert and done a workshop with DanceWorks London. All these experiences has allowed me to have an amazing level of knowledge and skills that will support me in my next steps."</p>
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<h2 lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{642c2115-6687-46b3-b0aa-22b570bd8c26}{160}" paraid="1743819911" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… here to learn more about our phenomenal performing arts courses, perfect for anyone interested in a career in in acting, musical theatre or dance</a></h2>
<p><strong>Our incredible cohort of <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… arts</a> learners took to the stage at The Blakehay Theatre in May 2022 for their final show of the year: Little Shop of Horrors!</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Little Shop of Horrors is a mouth-watering sci-fi horror musical with a 60s pop/rock score, guaranteed to keep you away from any florist for a looooong time!</p>
<p>This electrifying musical features numbers such as Suddenly Seymour, Be a Dentist, Somewhere That’s Green, and of course the title song Little Shop of Horrors.</p>
<p>The meek and dejected assistant Seymour happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush on the simple and downtrodden Audrey. Little does he know that this unusual plant will develop an unquenchable thirst for HUMAN BLOOD!</p>
