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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
Our motto ‘Creating Brighter Futures’ is clearly evident within our sporting provision.
As well as boasting fantastic facilities – including the brand-new Health and Active Living Centre (HALC) – our outstanding courses form a range of progression pathways, which have resulted in four former students being employed in our sport faculty.
We sat down with Matt, Dan, Liam and Sarah (pictured left to right) and asked them about their experiences and how the College has developed over the years.
We cannot wait to continue to build on our existing success and create brighter futures for more young people. Click here for more information on Sport courses.
Weston College’s Hair and Beauty Centre has been selected to host the regional stage of the WorldSkills event for the second year running.
Around 80 students from across the South West will visit the College on Tuesday 18th June to put their hair and beauty skills to the test.
WorldSkills is a prestigious international competition designed to create excitement and passion for learning in young people. Competitors take part in regional and national events before progressing to the international finals.
Experts design the industry-specific competitions, which help equip apprentices and students with the skills UK businesses need to compete globally.
Sandra Bull, the College’s Lead for Hair, Beauty, Barbering, Hospitality and Catering, said: “Each year colleges apply to host these prestigious competitions, so it speaks volumes for the quality of our hair and beauty facilities that the regional event is returning here.
“The Hair and Beauty Salons were refurbished recently, which makes it the perfect setting for the competition.
“As well as hosting the event, we’re also proud to have four learners – Ella Aston, Zoe Clark, Chloe Williams and Emily Spence – competing for a place in the national finals. We wish them the best of luck!”
The day will include competitions in hairdressing, beauty therapy, beauty therapy practice, creative media make-up, commercial make up and nail techniques.
The four College competitors have been putting in hours in addition to their College timetable to train for the event. Local employers have also helped them prepare by providing feedback and coaching. They secured their regional places after submitting photographic entries.
Winners of the regional heats are announced in September and the national finals take place in mid-November. The UK finals involve 1,000 young people aged 18–24 competing in 40 skills areas, from mobile robotics and graphic design, to carpentry and catering.
Prison learners were given the opportunity to showcase their talents at Weston College’s annual Creative Arts Summer Festival.
The festival, which enabled students from across the College creative arts faculty to exhibit their work, took place from June 11th to 20th and attracted rave reviews.
Work was produced by students studying media production, graphic design, photography, contemporary arts, as well as art and design.
It was also a unique opportunity for the College learners in prisons across the South West and South East, who provided poetry, oil paintings, pencil drawings ceramics and sculptures. Weston College delivers education in 19 prisons across the country.
Hundreds of people from across the region attend the festival each year, including those working and studying in the creative arts industries. Referring to the prison learners’ work, one visitor said: “There is a real depth and substance in the work. As a graphic designer and artist it is apparent to me that art has an ability to expose the truth in everybody without judgement.
“They are clearly very talented individuals who have become lost in society through mistakes made through peer pressure and a lack of positive role models.”
Weston College’s Prison Education provision will continue to showcase the many talents of learners within the prison network. The aim is to support the successful rehabilitation, resettlement and employment of offenders when they are released.
Click here to read more about the Prison Education provision recently winning a £17m prison learning contract…
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