From September 2017, the way A Levels are taught and assessed is changing. Here at Weston College we want to make these changes as simple as possible for you to understand, so if you’re thinking about taking A Levels next year, read on...

No more AS Levels

A Levels will now be linear, two-year courses, which means you can no longer get an AS Level after one year. To get an A Level qualification, you must study for the full two years.

Less coursework

Coursework has been removed altogether from courses where it’s not necessary and  reduced to 20% of the final mark in exceptional cases. For science subjects, assessment of practical work no longer contributes to the final A Level grade but will earn a separate certificate of endorsement.

What about exams?

Exams will now be a final assessment at the end of the two-year course. This means that re-takes can’t be guaranteed as students will now have to re-sit as external students. Any re-takes are also likely to incur fees from the exam boards.

We can help

These changes mean that when it comes to choosing the A Level provider you want to study with, you’ll need to make sure that the teaching and support on offer is suitable for your learning style. At the Sixth Form at Weston College, 99% of our students pass their A Levels and we have a wide range of services you can use to gain the support you need.

We offer more A Level variety than your local school to make sure you’re on a course that you want to study and are able to complete. Plus, most of our lectures come from successful careers in the subject they teach about and can offer a lot of guidance when it comes to applying for jobs or planning your next educational steps.

We’re always on hand to offer advice, and if you need more information or would like to talk to a member of our team about the changes you can fill in the enquiry form below or call us on 01934 411 411.

Academy learners Chloe Carchrie, Quinten Querl and Ethan Thomas finished 2017 by being selected and representing Weston College in higher honours within their chosen sports.

Netball player Chloe Carchrie was selected in super league franchise Severn Stars u19 squad for fixtures in the New Year. Chloe, who studies sports and exercise science, has been involved in the Stars' training programme since September and has now been rewarded by being selected to represent the stars in competitive fixtures. We are extremely proud of Chloe and would like to reinforce how much of an achievement this is especially with her still only being 16. We wish Chloe the best of luck and know that this is just the start of Chloe’s journey in to elite sport.

Rugby academy learners Quinten Querl and Ethan Thomas also received some good news at the back end of 2017. Academy flyer Quinten was selected into Bristol Rugby’s u18 squad for this year’s u18 premiership season. This is a great achievement for Quinten who has just returned from a season out with a broken leg, also a year young he was selected on the bench for the competitions opener against Bath and scored an outrageous 50 metre try with one of his first touches in a Bristol shirt.

Quinten said about his recent success: “Being at Weston College has really helped me improve and progress as a rugby player. This is through the fantastic coaching staff helping on and off the pitch.

"The programme has taught me many values that have not only helped me become a better athlete but a better person as well. It has also reopened doors for me that I thought had been closed after I was released from bath academy. However, with the help of the coaching staff here and buying into the programme provided has allowed me to be selected for Bristol academy and even play in the U18's academy league, something I thought could not happen.”

Last but not least, Academy fly half Ethan Thomas has been selected in the Irish exiles u18 squad to play against the Independent Schools Lambs’ team on the 14th of January. Ethan has worked extremely hard at all aspects of his game since arriving at college and we are extremely proud and excited for him to have this opportunity. This is the first step on the ladder for potential selection and opportunities to represent Ireland on a higher stage and we are extremely confident that Ethan can impress and take his chance.

Ethan added: “My decision to come to Weston College has been a major influence in the opportunities I am now getting. I feel I have improved a lot as a player since joining the programme and would like to thank the staff and players for giving me the confidence and the chances to try and progress up the elite pathway.”

We wish all our students good luck over the next few weeks and would also like to congratulate our learners on their achievements to date. 

Just 40 days into the College’s ambitious target of 200 apprenticeship pledges in 100 days, the College has reached the halfway point – persuading 110 businesses to agree to take on an apprentice.

Among the businesses that have pledged are Alliance Home Groups, Restor8, Ketchup, One Big Circle and the NHS. Their pledges have taken on a diverse range of apprenticeships, across professions such as: customer services, adult care, business administration, commis chef, IT and management.

Another organisation which has pledged to take on apprentices during the campaign is Thatchers Cider, which has pledged to hire a commis chef apprentice, a business admin apprentice and an IT apprentice.

Phil Smith, Visitor Services Manager at Thatchers Cider Company, said: “We are very excited to support Weston College’s 200 in 100 campaign. We see apprenticeships as an effective way of building our workforce. In an industry where there is a skills gap, developing and training our own chefs and giving them real life experience is crucial.

“The support we have received so far from the College has been second to none. We look forward to developing our apprentice and hopefully many more apprentices in the future.”

SACO Apartments has hired two leadership apprentices, and Di Gwinnel, HR Business Partner for SACO, said: “It is exciting to get involved with the 200 in 100 campaign and show our support for developing aspirational talented individuals. We have taken on two apprentices and the whole business is looking forward to helping them develop.

“Weston College has been extremely helpful and I would highly recommend getting in contact with them to support you with the whole apprenticeship process.”

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “Apprenticeships play an important role in developing highly skilled workforces for organisations and it is fantastic to see how many businesses are making use of our Training Solutions team to help develop young people and adults across the South West.

“We have seen more apprenticeship opportunities open up for our students across a range of sectors, which is very exciting for the College and our learners.”

You can keep an eye on the campaign’s progress across social media, with #200in100 being used on Twitter.

For more information and to pledge go to: www.weston.ac.uk/200in100. You can also email the apprenticeship team at enquiries@weston.ac.uk or call on 01934 411 594.