Weston College has launched a new three-year law programme for apprentices and top regional legal firm Foot Anstey has already taken on six.

The Business Administration Level 2 with Legal Pathway Apprenticeship can progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services with careers leading to a variety of legal careers.

Weston College Business Administration Coordinator Liz Painter said: “We set up this Apprenticeship in response to requests from legal firms.

“The traditional approach to a legal career via A Levels and university is being challenged by apprentices wanting to earn while they learn.”

The Government recently announced funding for three million new Apprenticeships, and the number of UK apprentices has soared by 73 per cent from 491,300 in 2009 to 851,500 (in 2014?).

Ninety per cent of Weston College apprentices were offered permanent jobs – a 46 per cent increase in filled jobs compared to last year.

The College currently supports 1,200 apprentices and works with 1,400 employers and is the biggest facilitator of Apprenticeship programmes in the region.

With five offices across the South West Foot Anstey is among the UK’s leading law firms with 50 partners and 500 staff and advises regional, national and international clients.

Susie Halliday, Head of Learning and Development at Foot Anstey: “We are delighted to be at the heart of this exciting new initiative which gives young people the opportunity to grow and have long-term careers with our business.  For Foot Anstey it is a great opportunity to develop valuable lawyers of the future.”

The College’s new Training Solutions, based at the South West Skills Campus, Locking Road provides businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.

The College offers a wide programme of Apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over looking for a new career via training or alternative to A-Levels.

Its Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and learners progress while continuing to work alongside experienced and skilled staff.

The 50-strong team of work-based learning Assessors work with more than 1400 organisations in the South West.

The College was the first in the South West to launch the Higher Apprenticeship Scheme enabling employees to gain university-level qualifications in accountancy, care and business.

While apprentices receive workplace training they enjoy College benefits including bus passes, gym sessions, discounted driving lessons, hair and beauty treatments.

Whether you’re dreading the thought of staying in education for another two years, or have thrived at school, choosing to come to college could be the perfect decision for you.

Weston College offers a much larger choice of courses than any school is able to. As well as a wide range of A levels, we offer vocational qualifications which are focused on preparing you for work; you may even spend your time learning practical skills in our Hair and Beauty Centre, training kitchen and restaurant or Automotive Technology Centre. On top of this, Weston College is the only place in North Somerset where you can start with an entry-level course and leave with a degree. But the difference between school and college doesn’t stop there!

Although the idea of leaving the familiar surroundings of your school might seem daunting, coming to college is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and expand your social circle. Lots of other people will be new to college at the same time as you, so your new surroundings will be the perfect place to create friendships.

We provide our students with a fantastic level of support; as well as having a Personal Tutor, you will have access to our Welfare and Student Support Services team, who can help with non-academic concerns such as: health, housing, alcohol, drugs and bullying. We also have excellent provisions for students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

You will learn in an adult environment, helping you to prepare for university or work; you will be able to work independently and take responsibility for your own studies, while receiving support from teachers who are well-qualified, experienced and passionate about their subjects. It’s likely you’ll be on a first name basis with your teachers. Because there’s a high ratio of tutors to students, you’ll receive all the support you need from your Personal Tutor.

At school, it is likely that you would be expected to be there all day, every day. At college, your timetable probably won’t be so full and you will have the flexibility to study at home, or elsewhere, when you don’t have class. Our LibraryPlus facilities provide a great environment for studying outside of class time. Along with books, DVDs and eBooks, you can borrow computers and iPads for use in the library.

We run a wide variety of enrichment activities, so there’s something for everyone. You could choose to get involved in film club, LAN gaming, volunteering, dance and music lessons. There are also groups for young carers and LGBTA. If you enjoy sports then there are opportunities to play football (for both men and women), rugby, netball and golf with our Sports Academy. Other sporting opportunities include classes on mixed martial arts, ultimate frisbee, table tennis and archery amongst others. For an affordable termly fee, you can join our industry-standard gym at the Knightstone Campus.

You may also choose to become a student ambassador, volunteering your time to support College events such as open evenings, collegiate interviews and marketing events. Being a student ambassador will help you develop a number of key skills including: teamwork, public speaking, interpersonal skills and self-confidence. This makes a fantastic addition to your CV and/or UCAS application.

Finally, Weston College is officially Ofsted outstanding and can boast excellent pass rates, so you can rest assured that we’re good at what we do! Our pass rates speak for themselves – 98% for both A levels and vocational courses.

The College can also help you get an apprenticeship or traineeship, both of which enable to get practical experience in a number of different industries. 90% of our apprentices are offered permanent positions by their employers at the end of their training.

Browse our website to see the full range of courses Weston College offers or request a prospectus.  If you have any questions, give us a call on 01934 411 411.

A new sensory learning base for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD) has been officially opened at Weston College.

The centre is the final part of a £1million investment that provides high quality facilities.

The new base opened its doors to students in September 2014 at the Knightstone Campus in Weston town centre, meaning students with PCLD no longer have to leave the local authority to receive specialist support.

Ben McConkey, the College’s strategic lead in inclusive practice, said: “In the past, students with PCLD may have had to leave the local authority when they finish school to access the specialist education and support they require.”

The Sensory Learning Base provides students with an individualised high quality multi-sensory programme.

Ben McConkey said: “Our programmes will help young people develop the skills to lead a more independent life, access their community and develop and maintain relationships with family and friends through a wide range of sensory experiences and holistic approaches.”

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE described it as a ‘vital’ facility for the area.

He said: “It’s a far cry from when the College first opened its doors to a small group of teenagers with learning difficulties and disabilities back in 1981.

“We now have more than 1,000 learners receiving support on further education and higher education courses across all sites.

“This is a vital new facility for the local authority that will support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community and I look forward to welcoming new learners to the College.”

“The Sensory Learning base will work in collaboration external agencies to ensure every individual receives outstanding support and positive outcomes.”