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>A team of Weston College students on the autism spectrum has renovated Worle Juniors Football Club as part of an annual community project.</p>
<p>The students planned, prepared and carried out the renovation work after raising £600 to put towards the project through bag packing and holding a summer fete.</p>
<p>The money was put towards repainting the Club’s hut and dugout, as well as re-fencing, clearing overgrown parts of the grounds, and re-laying the Club’s paving slabs.</p>
<p>Danielle Day, Manager at Weston College’s autism residential training centre, said: “Our community project this year is the largest our students have ever completed.</p>
<p>“Throughout the project they have developed skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem solving – and as a result of their hard work they have created a facility that we can all be proud of.</p>
<p>The students were thanked by Worle Juniors Chairwoman, Amanda Donald, who resented the students with commemorative trophies and said: “The result is absolutely amazing and it was so touching to see that other people are as passionate about the football grounds as us.</p>
<p>“Over 140 young people use this club, so this work will have a big impact on under 16s in Worle.</p>
<p>“The College students have put in so much hard work and we’re so proud of the results. We can’t wait for the next season to start!”</p>
<p>Aspirations is a course delivered at Weston Bay, which is Weston College’s autism residential training centre. It supports the College’s students on the autism spectrum to develop independent living skills and improves their chances of completing their studies, going to university and entering into employment.</p>
<p>Kirsty Garrett, an apprentice at Westhaven School, won the title of Teaching Assistant Apprentice of the Year at the Weston College Business Awards 2016.</p>
<p>Now in the sixth year, the awards recognise the exceptional achievements of employers and apprentices across a range of industries.</p>
<p>Kirsty was chosen as the teaching assistant category winner by a panel of judges and was presented with her award on stage by keynote speaker, Sally Gunnell.</p>
<p>The judges chose Kirsty as the winner as she has worked consistently hard throughout her apprenticeship. She is highly motivated and has been proactive in her own organisation and development, taking steps to plan ahead when she has found aspects of the learning challenging. </p>
<p>Kirsty has developed in her role and is supporting a range of pupils with a variety of special needs. Kirsty has been instrumental in setting up and delivering an extra-curricular dance club at the school.</p>
<p>Her employer said: “Kirsty continually works to a very high standard in all aspects of the job. She supports a range of pupils with a variety of special needs and has a caring and professional approach with pupils, parents and staff.”</p>
<p>For more information on the Weston College Business Awards visit: <a href="http://www.weston.ac.uk/businessawards">www.weston.ac.uk/businessawards…;
<p>Joe Martin, an Apprentice Sheet Metal Fabricator at GKN Aerospace, won the title of Engineering Apprentice of the Year at the Weston College Business Awards 2016.</p>
<p>Now in the sixth year, the awards recognise the exceptional achievements of employers and apprentices across a range of industries.</p>
<p>Joe was chosen as the engineering category winner by a panel of judges and was presented with his award on stage by keynote speaker, Sally Gunnell.</p>
<p>Joe is a natural leader within the group and has been invited to work on a go-kart which the second year apprentices are constructing. Joe has had to use his skills to manufacture parts of the titanium structure (which include the seat structure, brake mounts as well as other key components) while ensuring that they fit correctly.</p>
<p>Joe said: “While I was at school I was encouraged to stay on and complete the sixth form and then see if I could gain a place at university. All this I achieved but after a while I decided that this was not the path I wanted for my career. </p>
<p>“I looked at apprenticeships but then I thought I may be too old. A friend told me that GKN Aerospace were taking on apprentices and upon applying it made me realise that I wanted to take a hands-on approach into gaining a career and an apprenticeship seemed to be the best way to do this.</p>
<p>“I really enjoy being an apprentice. I attend Weston College four days a week and work the other day at GKN, learning new skills which will help me in my career; all this and I get paid.</p>
<p>“My future plans are to complete my Level 2 apprenticeship, then my Level 3, establish myself as a skilled fabricator, then become a team leader and finally part of the management team.”</p>
<p>His employer said: “Joe has applied himself fully to all aspects of work at GKN and has performed to a high standard throughout the first year of his apprenticeship. He is one of our highest performers and has become the natural leader amongst our first years. All our other first years gravitate towards Joe for answers to engineering problems.”</p>
<p>GKN Aerospace also won two business awards at the ceremony: Large Business Employer of the Year and the overall Employer of the Year 2016 title.</p>
<p>For more information on the Weston College Business Awards visit: <a href="http://www.weston.ac.uk/businessawards">www.weston.ac.uk/businessawards…;
