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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
Three Weston College lecturers have been chosen to join Microsoft’s global network of educator experts. This means a wealth of benefits and possibilities for learners.
Louise Pratten, lecturer in English, Shaun LaTouche, lecturer in Foundation Learning and Lynne Richards, lecturer in ICT, have been awarded Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert status.
As MIE experts, the trio will get to use a huge range of the technology giant’s resources and programmes and be able to test new products before they’re released. They’ll also have the opportunity to share innovative and exciting teaching methods with thousands of fellow experts around the world.
And this will all be channelled into developing innovative teaching methods and engaging learning environments – with the ultimate aim of improving the learner experience.
The MIE experts will have the expertise and knowledge to:
- Enable learners to get the best out of Microsoft’s resources
- Use technology to spark learners’ creativity and uncover hidden talents
- Help learners overcome barriers to learning and support learners with special educational needs or disabilities
- Create more inclusive learner-centred classrooms and environments
- Communicate more effectively with classes and encourage learners to collaborate with a range of resources
- Create learning resources in a variety of formats to suit a range of needs and learning styles.
Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education, Microsoft, perfectly sums up the role MIE experts play: “Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts are inspiring examples of educators, applying new ways of teaching and learning in their classrooms that motivate learners and empower them to achieve more.
“We celebrate and support the work they do every day.”
This news follows hot on the heels of the announcement that we are one of 14 providers in the UK to be awarded ‘Microsoft Showcase College’ status.
As a Showcase College, we’ll benefit from billions of pounds of research and knowledge, as well as Microsoft’s support in the personalising student education. This includes the use of one-to-one devices, Office 365 Education, Office Mix, OneNote, Skype, Minecraft and more.
Interested in joining us, browse our courses:
Weston College was celebrating today (Wednesday May 22) as the Government announced that its partnership bid for a new 14-19 education establishment has been successful.
The North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) was given the green light by the Department for Education (DfE). It is one of more than 100 successful new free school applications announced today (Weds).
The application process was extremely competitive and the NSETC was in the top 10 of applications.
The good news comes after months of planning. The bid was led by Weston College with a significant range of partners including the NHS, Clarks, University of West of England and North Somerset Council.
The Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, Dr Paul Phillips said: “This heralds a real change in teaching and learning for the whole of North Somerset. The new institution will deliver to 14 to 19 year olds, with phase one starting in 2014 for 16-19 year olds. Our focus will be on superb teaching and learning complemented by state-of-the-art resources with a commercial and industrial focus.
“The Enterprise and Technology College represents a new model of learning for North Somerset and I'm sure that prospective parents will be as pleased as we are to know that this initiative, which will be ground-breaking in terms of curriculum and concept, has been whole-heartedly supported by the Government.”
The 700-pupil college will have a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) combined with a strong business ethos. Young people will wear business attire and will be expected to attend from 9am-5pm rather than traditional school hours in order to start to prepare them for the world of work. Its ethos is that young people need more than just excellent academic qualifications to succeed in the 21st century; they also need the transferable employability skills and breadth of experience that will make them highly attractive to future employers and universities.
The partners for this project are committed to providing:
- Advice, information and design of the curriculum
- Industry and academic expertise
- Mentoring opportunities for the students
- Access to specialist technical facilities
- Staff development opportunities
- Degree modules for the gifted and talented students
- Opportunity for quality work experience.
On progression from the NSETC, students will be confident, enthusiastic, highly skilled and qualified to enter higher education, further specialist training, apprenticeships, or to move effectively into the workforce.
Already applications are being received from young people across North Somerset. There is clearly going to be a massive demand for places at this new and vibrant institution and we will be organising a parent and student forum in June, further details to follow. Considerable interest has already been received from the NHS in terms of the NSETC being able to provide a future workforce with appropriate skills and training.
The Enterprise College will be based in bespoke premises at a site in the new Enterprise Zone in Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset. The new buildings will open in totality by August 2015 although the first students will be able to start from September 2014. Work will now commence to recruit the Principal and staff teams for this new model of learning.
Announcing the new schools, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “There are many innovators in local communities set on raising standards of education for their children. I am delighted to approve so many of their high-quality plans to open a free school. “Free schools are extremely popular with parents and are delivering strong discipline and teaching excellence across the country.”
For more information call us on 01934 411411.
Weston College has launched a new three-year law programme for apprentices and top regional legal firm Foot Anstey has already taken on six.
The Business Administration Level 2 with Legal Pathway Apprenticeship can progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services with careers leading to a variety of legal careers.
Weston College Business Administration Coordinator Liz Painter said: “We set up this Apprenticeship in response to requests from legal firms.
“The traditional approach to a legal career via A Levels and university is being challenged by apprentices wanting to earn while they learn.”
The Government recently announced funding for three million new Apprenticeships, and the number of UK apprentices has soared by 73 per cent from 491,300 in 2009 to 851,500 (in 2014?).
Ninety per cent of Weston College apprentices were offered permanent jobs – a 46 per cent increase in filled jobs compared to last year.
The College currently supports 1,200 apprentices and works with 1,400 employers and is the biggest facilitator of Apprenticeship programmes in the region.
With five offices across the South West Foot Anstey is among the UK’s leading law firms with 50 partners and 500 staff and advises regional, national and international clients.
Susie Halliday, Head of Learning and Development at Foot Anstey: “We are delighted to be at the heart of this exciting new initiative which gives young people the opportunity to grow and have long-term careers with our business. For Foot Anstey it is a great opportunity to develop valuable lawyers of the future.”
The College’s new Training Solutions, based at the South West Skills Campus, Locking Road provides businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.
The College offers a wide programme of Apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over looking for a new career via training or alternative to A-Levels.
Its Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and learners progress while continuing to work alongside experienced and skilled staff.
The 50-strong team of work-based learning Assessors work with more than 1400 organisations in the South West.
The College was the first in the South West to launch the Higher Apprenticeship Scheme enabling employees to gain university-level qualifications in accountancy, care and business.
While apprentices receive workplace training they enjoy College benefits including bus passes, gym sessions, discounted driving lessons, hair and beauty treatments.
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