COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
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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
Art and Design courses are exciting opportunities to let your creativity flow. If you’re undecided on whether or not to study an art course, here are our top 4 reasons as to why you should.
Learn a range of techniques
Our courses cover a wide selection of skills, such as painting, drawing, ceramics and photography. We will teach you new techniques, and develop your existing skills.
College facilities
Weston College has excellent facilities, we are always looking to improve the learner environment to ensure you are supported throughout your learning. We have purpose built art studios based at our Loxton Campus which will provide you with all the resources needed to develop.
Top class lecturers
Our lecturers have industry experience, and they will teach you the relevant skills needed for when you complete the course. It’s not just us that think our lecturers are great, they were also rated as outstanding by Ofsted.
Future opportunities
The industry is expected to grow 5.3% in the build up to 2024, which will provide you with more job opportunities. Art and Design covers an array of exciting occupations, from illustration to teaching, there are lots of opportunities for you. There is also the potential to earn huge sums of money, whilst working in a job you love.
If you would like more information on our Art and Design courses click here.
Weston College has been named among the first 21 colleges to establish a maths centre of excellence.
The new centres were announced last year in response to Sir Adrian Smith’s review of post-16 maths education, which recommended improving basic maths for people over 16.
The chosen colleges, which will share £40 million of funding over five years, are spread across the country. Weston College is one of only two centres in the South West.
As well as improving the quality of basic maths provision for low-attaining young people over 16, the new centres will design new teaching approaches, develop high-quality resources, build teachers’ skills and spread best practice.
Weston College Principal and CEO, Dr Paul Phillips, said: "This is fantastic news – not just for Weston College and our learners, but also the wider community in North Somerset and beyond.
“Becoming a maths centre of excellence will allow us to revitalize our maths provision, and develop new resources for our learners.
“Being one of only 21 providers awarded the funding is a great honour and reinforces our national reputation for high-quality education.”
Weston College joined forces with the Chefs’ Forum Academy to host an event promoting careers in the hospitality industry to over 200 pupils.
Some of the region’s top chefs demonstrated at the Hospitality Industry Taster Day, which took place at the Winter Gardens, 11.30am-1.30pm on Wednesday 20th March.
This free event – was open to year 8, 9, 10 and 11 pupils, and college students – showcasing the hospitality industry as a career option. Guests were treated to mocktails, canapés and beef burgers.
The day included 20-minute interactive masterclasses showcasing culinary expertise such as butchery, beef cookery, the secrets of herbs and spices, and intricate pastry techniques.
Sandra Bull, Divisional Lead for Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said “We are pleased to have some of the region’s top chefs and butchers involved to show how rewarding and exciting a career in the industry can be. In a sector, which is in, decline it is great to showcase the options open to those leaving school in the next couple of years. This year we also hosted various local businesses – a great opportunity for buddy chefs to see local produce is best!”
The Chefs’ Academy Forum is a network of industry experts that supports the next generation of chefs. As well as showcasing their skills at the taster day, forum experts teach Weston College hospitality students, enriching learning through bespoke cookery masterclasses in the College kitchens.
Jack Cook, of award-winning Devizes butchers Walter Rose & Son, performed a beef butchery masterclass in advance of Great British Beef Week. All pupils who attended the event got a delicious Walter Rose Angus x Hereford Stokes Marsh Farm beef burger, with delicious garnishes produced by College catering students.
Le Manoir-trained chef Amy Nancollis, from Oak and Glass restaurant in Weston, joined chefs Andy Chan and Tom Everard Fairburn, of Thornbury Castle Hotel, for an éclair filling and decorating competition.
Topping the day off will be a spice masterclass from Sam Guarino, of Santa Maria. Sam talked budding young chefs through the tasty world of herbs and spices.
Chefs’ Forum Founder, Catherine Farinha, said: “It was a real honour to be asked to hold this event with Weston College again this year. If a handful of students who attend the event are inspired to study catering and hospitality because of the fantastic industry experts on show, then our work here is done.”
This event is run annually, register your interest via email sandra.bull@weston.ac.uk.
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
