Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds (old)
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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Find Your Future Path
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 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College is celebrating an exceptional set of GCSE resit results after students collected their November examination outcomes today (8 January) at the College’s Knightstone Campus. </p><p>A total of <strong>176 students</strong> took their English and/or Maths GCSE resits in November, achieving a <strong>100% pass rate across both subjects</strong>. Notably, <strong>36.7% of English students</strong> and <strong>37.1% of Maths students</strong> achieved high grades (grade 4 or above/previously graded as a C or above), significantly exceeding national benchmarks. </p><p>When compared with <strong>summer 2025 national averages</strong> for students achieving a standard pass (grade 4 or above), Weston College students’ outcomes show a remarkable improvement: </p><ul><li><strong>English Language:</strong> National summer average 20.9% with Weston College November resit 36.7% (<strong>+15.8%</strong>)</li><li><strong>Mathematics:</strong> National summer average 17.1% with Weston College November resit 37.1% (<strong>+20%</strong>) </li></ul><p>These figures reflect the dedication, resilience, and hard work of both our learners and staff, far exceeding typical national outcomes and underlining the College’s commitment to student achievement. </p><p>The <strong>November GCSE resit series</strong> provides post-16 students who did not achieve a grade 4 or above in English or Maths during the summer with an early opportunity to improve their results, supporting progression into further study, apprenticeships, or employment. </p><p>Students collected their results online or in person from Weston College’s <strong>Knightstone Campus</strong>, where the <strong>English and Maths teams were on hand</strong> to offer advice, guidance, and support for next steps. </p><p>Weston College is proud of its students’ achievements and of the dedication of staff who helped learners exceed national benchmarks in both subjects. </p>
<p><a href="https://wescoli.webitrent.com/wescoli_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf… here</a></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last term, our Level 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-…; students took part in a hair matting enrichment session, where they created artistic designs using specialist hair matting techniques to further develop their skills and gain a deeper understanding of the versatility of hair. </p><p>To produce designs using hair matting techniques, hair is first cut into small pieces and carefully laid onto a mat. It is then sprayed with hairspray and dried in place, creating a fabric-like material made entirely from hair. This material can be moulded and cut into a variety of shapes to form a wide range of creative items. During the session, students produced handbags, extravagant headdresses and other artistic designs that showcased their newly developed skills. </p><drupal-entity alt=""Hair matted handbag"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ddaabe4-708b-432a-a463-e2ad2649e2a2" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p>Participating in the hair matting workshop provided students with a valuable opportunity to enhance both their technical ability and professional confidence. The session encouraged creativity and experimentation beyond traditional salon styles, enabling students to refine their control, precision and understanding of texture, structure and effective product use. </p><p>The activity also helped prepare students for future careers in hairdressing by developing their independence, adaptability and resilience throughout the creative process. These essential skills are vital in the hairdressing industry, where professionals must respond to diverse client needs and evolving industry trends. Engaging in non-standard activities such as this challenges learners’ patience, encourages innovation and supports them in standing out within the industry. </p><p>Hannah Prior, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… & Barbering</u></a> Lecturer at Weston College, added, “Workshops like this are a great way for students to step away from traditional hairdressing techniques and gain a greater appreciation of just how versatile hairdressing can be. Whether students aspire to work in a salon or pursue a more artistic and creative pathway, this task prepares them for a range of career opportunities and broadens their future prospects.” </p><p>A big well done to the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-…; students for their hard work and creativity in producing such innovative designs throughout this project. </p><p>This hands-on workshop forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… & Barbering</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. </p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong> </p>
