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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, fashion and textiles, and photography students at Weston College held a successful art show at the College's Sixth Form Centre on Loxton Road.
The show displayed work from second year A Level students, all of which contributes to their final projects, and gave visitors from outside the college a chance to see what they have been working on and discuss this with the students.
Several awards were also given out on the evening, including Head of Faculty’s award, won by Caitlin Hartman, and awards for art, photography and textiles won by Caitlin Dawkes, Matt Szymankiewicz and Neve Lynch respectively.
Ryan Aves, Team Leader for Creative and Maths, said: “We are extremely proud of the work presented by our students in the 2017 Sixth Form Art, Fashion and Photography show. They have all been very imaginative with their ideas and the results of this professional approach will yield excellent A level outcomes in the summer.
“The opening night was attended by many family and friends of the students, and since then local artists as well as teachers and pupils from local schools have been to look at the varied nature of the work.
“The excellent work will surely ensure visitors consider Weston Sixth Form as a great place to study art, photography and textiles.”
A selection of first year art work was also included in the show, which stretched across the entirety of the first floor of the Sixth Form.
Creative Arts and Design (CAD) is an area that has given us some of the most successful alumni over the years. With its vast range of subjects, our CAD department offers the perfect balance of the practical hands on learning combined with theory, to ensure you leave us a master of your craft.
Here are some of our best CAD success stories to date…
Keith Kilpin - Digital Designer
Keith's journey began on a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design. He then undertook the Graphic Design Foundation Degree before completing the BA (Hons) top up. Keith is now part of the creative team in the digital department, designing games, apps and websites.
He said: “Working at Aardman Animations is a dream come true! It’s simple; without Weston College I would not be where I am today.”
“Weston College has helped me transform myself enabling me to achieve a First Class Honours Degree! The patience and support that I received from my tutors really helped me get the best out of myself.
Holly Quinn - Graphic Designer
This former Weston College student has been named as one of the ‘brightest young stars’ in the UK computer games industry. Holly Quinn, who studied a Diploma in Graphic Design, went on to become the creative director of PQube, where she handled the firm’s Japanese releases.
Holly now works as a Product Designer at Tomato Sauce Limited.
She said: “Weston College has a really great teaching environment and brilliant staff, which helped me to flourish and develop my skills. “I had a really good time at Weston and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inspirational college.”
Lydia Richards - Fashion Designer
After completing her Art and Design UAL Diploma at Weston College, Lydia went on to study at London College of Fashion and gained an internship with Alexander Wang. She moved to Paris to begin a six-month paid placement at international fashion brand Louis Vuitton.
Following this, she earned a Leather Seller's Emerging Talent award. She now is a Senior Accessories Designer at Cushnie et Ochs, based in New York.
“I loved my time at Weston College,” she said. “The tutors at the College were amazing. It was about so much more than your final grade – they were really interested in progressing your creativity and discovering what you really wanted to do.”
Twenty six Weston College and University Centre Weston Animal Management, Business Management and Travel and Tourism students returned from the trip of a lifetime to San Francisco earlier this month.
The trip saw the students have incredible experiences such as visiting the headquarters of Facebook, Google, and Apple, walking the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting the infamous Alcatraz prison. The fun didn’t stop there, they got to attend the Academy of Science, the Aquarium, the Zoo and The Walt Disney Family Museum.
Lecturer Olivia Hill said: “The trip contained some amazing opportunities for students that they may not have got to experience in the UK.
"Visiting headquarters of leading tech firms was a real plus for business students, while the animal students had a fantastic learning experience at the Academy of sciences.
"For Travel and tourism students, Alcatraz provided them with a great example of how a top tourist attraction can run.”
Josie Skuse, Travel and Tourism student, said: “The trip was fantastic, we were able to see and do so many things.
"It was so interesting to experience the culture of San Francisco and learn about the importance of historical events that happened in the area. Alcatraz was an experience I will never forget.
"Seeing iconic locations and visiting the headquarters of internet giants such as Google and Facebook was great to see. We visited Japanese Tea Gardens, Pier 39 and the academy of science, which was fascinating.
"The whole trip was very enjoyable and well run with a great community of student and teachers to travel with.”
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