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
The hospitality and catering industry is constantly growing and changing, which is why it’s perfect for anyone looking for an interesting future career. We’ve put together our top reasons why you should consider it!
A Weston College student overcame a number of professional artists to finish second in a prestigious live painting competition.
Cameron Gelder, 19, won his ‘heat’ and only narrowly missed out on winning the final of Art Battle Bristol at the city’s Marble Factory.
Cameron and fellow Weston College student Lewis Bateman, 17, were among 12 artists, including professionals, to compete in the event.
Each competitor was given 20 minutes to produce a work of art in front of an audience of 250. Spectators then vote on their favourite painting, with each work auctioned off at the end of the event.
Cameron and Lewis, who both study the Level 3 Art and Design course, made a big impression on the audience, which included their classmates and tutor, Nicola Stent.
“Cameron and Lewis did themselves and the College proud,” said Nicola.
“They engaged with the crowd and produced some excellent pieces of work under real pressure.
“Cameron really showed his ability to improvise, using his bank card to create an effect on his first painting!
“After finishing first in his heat, he was within five votes of winning the final.
“All three of the students’ pieces sold at the auction, with one of Cameron’s fetching £80.
“Their classmates got involved as well, and gave Cameron and Lewis lots of support.
“The event also provided the students with some great opportunities to network with professional painters, graffiti artists and architects.”
Cameron was pipped to first place by Jody Thomas, a Bristol-based professional graffiti artist who began painting with Banksy.
I have been part of St John Ambulance and air cadets for many years and I have achieved so much as an air cadet developing skills in many areas and gaining these qualifications along on the way
- Level's 1 & 2 & 3 First Aid (Including AED - Automated External Defibrillator)
- Leadership Level's 1 & 2
- Communication with the Deaf and Blind
- Prior Award (24 Different Qualifications in St John Ambulance - Bronze, Silver, Gold)
- Peer Education which has enabled me to teach my peers and other young people Basic Life Support.
As an air cadet I reached the rank of NCO (Non-Commissions Officer - Corporal) in my Worle Cadet Unit. I am now a St John Ambulance Adult in the Clevedon St John Ambulance Unit.
My volunteering work also involved fundraising for multiple different charities including The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC), Lighthouse Charity and now The Grand Appeal (Bristol Children's Hospital).
I am currently the Development Worker for the Eagles Non-Profit Trust and the Team Leader for the brand new Eagles South West Project.
We run a project known as the Eagles South West Project which is part of the Eagles Non-Profit Trust. We have various Mini Projects including Charitable Fundraising which cover's the work of various charities including; The Grand Appeal - Bristol Children's Hospital - which I am very keen to support because I had Cardiac and Orthopaedic Surgery there. I work with an Orthopaedic Surgeon in the hospital studying Health and Social Care, Level 3 to go onto do Paramedic Science at University.
Within the project we work with various charitable organisations that support people that are homeless and in need within our local area of WSM and surrounding areas. This is known as The Eagles Homeless Outreach - we work with Winter Warmth, Feed the Homeless WSM and Bristol and Somewhere To Go, for which we are planning an Easter Homeless Donation to support them.
We then have a third and final Mini Project Category known as 'Company and Project Partnerships'. We are currently supporting the 'Plastic Pollution Action and Awareness Project'. We are working closely with the Project Manager to plan on how we can support them with events to help the environment including Litter Picks and Fundraising Events for their Project and running Awareness Campaigns.
Another mini project we are planning on running is a brand new idea that we are just setting up at the moment known as 'Donate For Defib (W-s-M) Project' and this will be fundraising for local Difibulators in the local area, so we are looking forward to starting that very soon.
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
