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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
A film celebrating Weston-super-Mare’s entrepreneurial women was screened at Weston College’s Conference Centre today (April 25).
The project, sponsored by the College, is the brainchild of producer and interviewer Becky Walsh, a former Weston College student, and Justyna Steinkeller, an associate producer and graphic designer.
Becky studied a BTEC in Performing Arts at Weston College and progressed to The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for her stage management training. She then spent 15 years in the West End working as a stage manager on shows such as West Side Story and Blood Brothers. She was also part of the lighting team for UK’s ‘Handover of Hong Kong’ to China in 1997.
She then spent time living across the globe, having gained a reputation both in the personal development field as a self-help author and as a TV and radio presenter, before returning to Weston to bring her knowledge back into the town.
Becky said: “The women interviewed for these documentaries come from various backgrounds but have one thing in common – they have brought inspiration and entrepreneurship to Weston in terms of creativity and care.
“Their stories are heart-warming and inspiring, and create a new chapter in Weston’s history.”
The film tells the stories of:
- Gill Bute, who fought off gangsters to build a company
- Amelia Eikli, who turned her life around after just one year living in the town
- Valerie Donegan, who has spent her life helping the people who have made the streets their home
- Sara Pacey, who organises entertainment events across the area
- Linda Chan, who was a high flyer in the corporate world until she started to lose her sight.
Linda’s luck changed after moving to Weston, when she joined an adult part-time art course at Weston College. She then progressed onto a Level 2 Art and Design Diploma at Weston College and, last year, graduated from UCW with a Contemporary Art and Professional Studies, FdA.
Linda is now an exhibiting artist and her life has been transformed.
Linda said: “I was overwhelmed by how inspirational the first class was and I have never looked back.”
Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this event. Weston College is passionate about supporting the people of Weston and helping our community to grow.”
If you would like to join a full-time course, like Becky, visit our website.
If you are interested in a part-time adult course, like Linda, visit us at the Festival of Learning on Saturday 15th June 11am-3pm at the Winter Gardens and Italian Gardens.
There will be a live Q&A with the team at https://youtu.be/ZOX1CZi41zI
Apprentice chefs and hospitality students at Weston College have showcased their skills at a prestigious awards dinner.
The talented students prepared dinner and served at the front of house at the Bristol Life Awards winners’ dinner at The Chocolate Quarter in the city.
Apprentices from The School of Food, an innovative chef training programme jointly run by Weston College, treated guests to a delicious meal of flat breads and dips; asparagus, nudi, puree salsa verdi; pressed lamb shoulder, lamb rump, potato terrine, sprouting broccoli; and lemon, lavender, raspberry delice and raspberry sorbet.
The Level 1 and 2 hospitality students, who train in the College’s Grove restaurant, served drinks, canapés and hosted tables. All of these skills are reflective of the work the learners need to complete to become competent in their sector.
The Grove training kitchen and restaurant, is a commercial eatery that is open to the public and run solely by students. You can check out its menus and events at www.weston.ac.uk/grove.
The Bristol Life Awards celebrate the very best Bristol businesses at a highly prestigious evening that’s become a highlight of the city’s social calendar. The awards are organised by MediaClash, publishers of Bristol Life, Bath Life and magazines for Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury, and award-winning foodie mag Crumbs.
The award categories included: Arts, Bar, Business Services, Café / Coffee Shop, Charity, Civic, Creative, Education, Event, Financial, Food / Drink Producer, Gastropub, Hair and Beauty, Health and Wellbeing, Homes and Interiors, Legal, Leisure and Tourism, New Business, Restaurant, Retailer, Technology and Innovation. Award winners have been invited to a special dinner, also at The Chocolate Quarter.
Find out more:
New generations of students are set to benefit from the opening of a flagship facility at Weston College. The £13 million Health and Active Living Skills Centre, completed by Midas Construction is based at the college’s Loxton Campus and will welcome its first students this September.
The aim of the bespoke facility is to provide learners with knowledge of the healthcare and sport sectors as well as vital industry skills. The centre will bring together the College’s health and social care, sports therapy and active living courses into one facility, which will benefit students, businesses and the wider community.
It features a state-of-the-art training hospital ward, one full size 3G pitch, one full size rugby pitch, a multi-gym and a sports hall. Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “This outstanding new training centre is the latest step in our drive to provide students with the very best learning facilities and resources.
“We have worked with key business partners to ensure that the Health and Active Living Centre will tackle the current skills shortage in the sector and address the longer-term issues that affect our health service and the health of the local population.” The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority contributed £5.4 million towards the project, match funded by the college.
Chair of the West of England LEP, Prof Steve West, said: “We’re pleased to support the new Health and Active Living Skills Centre to deliver important investment in skills for health and social care professionals working in our region. It will also give young people the skills they need to progress further in their education and secure better career prospects right here in the West of England.
“We need to train more people for future careers in our hospitals and community services - this will improve the quality of care and improve people’s lives. With more highly qualified professionals, and with people trained in a wider range of disciplines, people will be better cared for.” James Rimmer, Chief Executive of Weston Area Health Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for partnership working between Weston College and Weston General Hospital.
“This demonstrates the investment we are both making to support the learning and development of students. We hope it will also help the recruitment and retention of staff as well as supporting the increased demand on healthcare locally”.
The development also continues a strong framework partnership between Weston College and Midas, who have worked closely together on a number of recent projects including the newly built Construction Training Centre.
Derek Quinn, Executive Director for Midas Construction, said: “This fantastic new development will have a significant long term impact on staff, students and the local community and we are pleased to have been able to complete the project on time for Weston College.
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