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QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
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.
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 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.
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.
LATEST NEWS
Weston College has been described as a ‘true beacon’ for colleges nationwide when it was presented two awards from the Association of Colleges (AoC).
The College has been handed two national Beacon Awards by the AoC; the UCAS Progress Award for Careers Education and Guidance and the Council for Learning Resources in Colleges Award for the Effective Integration of Libraries/Learning Resources Centres in Curriculum Delivery.
The awards recognise the hard work of the College’s ASPECT (Advice, School, Progression, Employability, Careers, Transition) team and its LibraryPlus team.
The AoC Beacon Award Local Presentation Ceremony was held at the College’s Conference and Events Centre, in Knightstone Road, on Tuesday 4th May.
The ceremony formally announced the two achievements and consisted of networking and a lunch followed by presentations and prize-giving.
Local businesses and dignitaries, including Weston-super-Mare’s Mayor Cllr Raymond Armstrong and Mayoress Joan Dunne, attended the ceremony.
Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, Dr Paul Phillips OBE, said: “It’s tremendous, the work which goes on at Weston College. These two teams have shown a real entrepreneurial flair and have ensured the learner has come first.
“Thank you to all of the guests who attended the ceremony, your support demonstrates the importance of collaboration and partnership in a true sense – we are all working together to ensure learners succeed.”
Ian Monroe, South West Regional Director of the AoC and Jon Graystone, representing the AoC’s steering group which judged the awards, attended the ceremony to present the two awards.
Mr Graystone said: “I am delighted to recognise and celebrate these achievements. We received 140 nominations and the quality of the two from Weston College was clear and the reason that they won.
“The judging process is rigorous, it involves all nomination being made anonymous, and so judges are unaware which colleges they come from.
“Weston College is a true beacon for Colleges in the UK.”
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.
Rugby
Opposition: Richard Huish
Score: Weston 10-22 Huish
MOM: Tommy Bailey
Weston College first XV hosted Richard Huish first XV on Wednesday the 17th of January at Weston- Super- Mare RFC. Conditions for the fixture were exceptional with a cool but dry atmosphere throughout the event making conditions perfect for running rugby. After a confrontational opening 20 minutes Weston College scored their first try. An exceptionally well finished try by Harrison Lyon who burst through a tackle and scored a 15-meter run in. The try was the result of sustained phase play attack by the Weston side, which was just reward from their dominant opening play. From the kick-off Richard Huish scored a clinical try, punishing the Weston defence for not clearing their lines within their own 22.
The extremely close affair continued long into the second half with both teams scoring a further two tries' making it a 12-10 lead to Richard Huish. After scoring their second try to keep the contest competitive Weston conceded their third try directly from the kick-off. With Richard Huish demonstrating consistency and organisation within their attack. With the score at 17-10 the away side changed their phase play attack into a more elusive style, catching the home side off guard. The commitment and effort levels from Weston were to be admired demonstrating a unity and collective approach which will see the benefit in the future during close fixtures.
Richard Huish continued playing, elusive rugby to score their final try making the end result 22-10. Honourable mentions include Josh Gardner, who lead with exceptional passion and determination on his debut as Captain. Tommy Bailey worked relentlessly in defence with continued support in attack. Ethan Thomas controlled the backline and directed the team with some outstanding kicking from hand.
Football 1st
Opposition: Richard Huish
Score: 5-2
MOM: Cory Thomas Barker
Richard Huish welcomed Weston College Mens 1 to play a league fixture in ECFA Mens category 2 south west (south). As the game started Weston controlled possession and moved the ball around on a difficult pitch. They created a good number of early chances which we were able to convert and went into a 2 goal lead thanks to Tom Llewellyn and Lucas Vowles. With the game in Weston’s control we created more chances with good play down the wide areas and holding good possession through-out the half. Just before the break with a lack of concentration from Weston’s part Richard Huish were back into the game 2-1 at half time. After the break both teams were going forwards looking to either get back into the game or run away with it. With Weston still having more of the ball they raced into a 4-1 lead with both Tom and Lucas sharing the spoils once again. Again through a mistake from Weston Richard Huish were allowed them back into the game at 4-2. With the game entering the last 20 minutes Weston took control and slowed the game. Weston Still had chances to further the lead and Cory Thomas-Baker was able to score a goal to remember from 35 yards. Weston ran out winners 5-2. We wish Richard Huish all the best with their remaining fixtures.
Netball
Opposition: Bridgwater
Score: Weston 30-19 Bridgwater
POM: Chloe
A great start to Weston Colleges first match back since Christmas. All the girls were enthusiastic to get on and start the match . The match started very quick with great movement especially by Chloe and Lucy around the attacking circle edge . Court defence was hard for Bridgewater to play through with some great opportunities for Jodi to intercept a lot of the attacking play . 1st quarter ended 12-6 to Weston .
Going into the 2nd quarter the girls settled and slowed play down to allow for a more controlled attack and to limit some mistakes made in the first quarter . Weston pulled ahead with some fantastic shooting and rebounds by Erin and Megan finishing the second quarter 20-10 .
The 3rd quarter both teams made changes, Bridgewater came on with a confident start which made Weston have to dig deep . The whole squad pulled together while they settled with new players on showing great interceptions and marking by Beth and excellent man on man marking and back up play by Ella finishing the third quarter 24-16.
Going into the 4 th quarter Weston showcased their talent by continuing to back each other up and create lots of opportunities for each other to intercept and get turn over ball by Chloe and Beth Playing GD.
A great first match with lots of amazing match play and attitude.
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
