Academic, Vocational or Technical Qualification

The majority of your timetable will be dedicated to you successfully achieving academic, vocational or technical qualifications in your chosen subject area.

At Level 3, qualifications are categorised into the following groups:

• A Levels
• Tech Levels
• Applied General.

Tech Levels (TLQ) are qualifications for students wishing to specialise in a technical occupation or occupational group. They lead to recognised occupations, for example in engineering, IT, accounting or professional cookery. They are recognised by a relevant trade or professional body.

Applied General qualifications (AGQ) provide a broad study of a vocational area. They are recognised by Higher Education (HE) Institutions as fulfilling entry requirements to a range of HE courses, either in their own right or alongside other Level 3 qualifications.

Apprenticeship compatible, Level 2 and 3

Some of the qualifications offered at Level 2 and 3 are compatible with the technical requirements for the relevant apprenticeship framework. This means that if you progress into employment at the end of your study programme you can be fast-tracked through an apprenticeship.

Technical Baccalaureate

The Technical Baccalaureate recognises the highest level of technical training achieved by students aged 16-19. Students wanting to achieve the Technical Baccalaureate will need to complete a study programme that includes the following:

1. Tech Level qualification
2. Level 3 core Mathematics qualification
3. Extended Project Qualification.

If you are interested in doing a Technical Baccalaureate please discuss this when you come in for an interview.

English and maths development

Weston College recognises how important good Maths and English skills are for employment and progression to higher level learning. It is therefore committed to supporting you to improve your Maths and English skills within your study programme.

All students will improve their Maths and English skills through one or a combination of the following:

• Dedicated Maths and English lessons
• Embedded Maths and English skills development within your vocational and/or academic classes.

Learners enrolling onto a study programme with a GCSE English and/or Maths at grade D will be required to re-take the GCSE. Learners with less than a grade D will be required to complete a stepping stone qualification, such as functional skills in the relevant subject.

Functional skills are valid qualifications that are designed to build confidence in the everyday, applied use of Maths and English.

Functional skills are offered at three levels, Entry Level 3, Level 1 and Level 2. A common timetable will allow you to access the right level course for you at the main campus you study at.

For learners with learning difficulties/disabilities, English and Maths will be a key part of your programme. The College will help you to develop these skills at a pace and level to suit your needs and abilities.

Learners who have achieved an A*-C grade in Maths and English Language will be given the option to study it at Level 3, subject to timetables. Some learners will chose to study core

Maths at Level 3 as part of the Technical Baccalaureate. “English and Maths GCSE (A*-C) are of critical importance for employment” Professor Alison Wolf, author of The Review of Vocational Education.

Work experience and employability

Gaining industry experience through work experience or employer-led projects is an essential ingredient to developing the skills that will make you work-ready. Study programmes at Weston College will foster employability and enterprise through the units that are taught as part of your academic, vocational or technical qualification along with access to one or more of the following:

• Work experience e.g. weekly or block placements
• Opportunities to practice skills within College in simulated and realistic working environments e.g. hair salon, travel shop
• Enterprise projects e.g. Young Enterprise initiatives
• Live projects set and assessed by employers.

Study programmes will also develop the attitudes and behaviours needed for work such as punctuality, appearance, teamwork and resilience.

Skills development

Personal and social skills

You will have a Personal Tutor who will monitor your progress and support you with any issues that might impact on your ability to achieve and succeed. They will also help you to organise your time and manage your workload.

You will participate in theme weeks, complete tutorials and online learning modules on topics that develop your awareness and understanding of the wider world and support future progression.

These include personal safety, drugs and alcohol awareness, citizenship and UCAS advice and guidance.

Independent study skills

You will have dedicated independent study skills sessions which you will use for research, revision and to complete tasks set by your teachers. Some of these sessions will be supervised and facilitated by teaching staff or learning mentors. A number of study skills sessions will be delivered as part of your induction to our LibraryPlus facilities. Resources will also be available online through the College Virtual Learning Environment.