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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
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Weston-super-Mare today (13th April) to open Weston College’s South West Skills Campus.
The South West Skills Campus, based at the former Bushacre Business Park on Locking Road, was purchased by the College in 2010 and has undergone a multimillion pound renovation to transform it into a facility for computing, engineering, technology, motor vehicles, and construction.
During the visit, The Princess Royal met key members of College leadership team including Dr Paul Phillips CBE, the College’s Principal and Chief Executive, as well as local dignitaries including the Mayor of Weston and the Chief Executive of North Somerset Council.
Her Royal Highness then went on a tour of the facilities, watched College students working in the engineering workshops, and met apprentices from GKN Aerospace and Rolls Royce, two large companies that have moved their engineering training to Weston College since it opened its engineering centre in 2015.
In the College’s computer numerical control workshop, The Princess Royal turned on an engraving machine that created a commemorative brass plaque, which was presented to Her Royal Highness at the end of the visit.
Following this, The Princess Royal was then invited to try a virtual reality device, before unveiling a plaque to open the campus, signing the visitors’ book and being presented with a Bristol Blue Glass Jug.
Before leaving, Her Royal Highness was given a posy by Herons’ Moor Academy pupil, 11 year old Libby Swinney.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “I am very proud to see where Weston College is today, and how the College has been an influence in the regeneration of Weston-super-Mare through the creation of inspiring facilities and the provision of excellent teaching and learning.
“I am honoured to celebrate the opening of the South West Skills Campus with The Princess Royal, who opened our Loxton campus a few years ago. It was interesting to hear her thoughts on the growth of the College since her last visit, and her thoughts on the importance of increasing the opportunities for women in the fields of science and engineering – something the College itself has been passionately working towards for a number of years.”
Weston College has become the first college to sign up to the national Ban the Box campaign.
Candidates with a criminal record can now apply for jobs at the College with the knowledge that they will be assessed on their ability to do the job before any convictions are fairly considered.
However, the same rules surrounding who can legally do certain jobs will still apply, and DBS checks will still take place before any member of staff is appointed. Anyone teaching learners or working alongside College staff will have been through the same rigorous legal checks as usual.
Applicants will however, be asked to declare any such record at the point of job offering, and will undergo DBS/legal checks as all with all other applicants. Only once they are successful in passing those will they be able to accept a position.
The campaign is spearheaded by Business in the Community, and currently more than 90 UK-wide employers are signed up, with the College being the latest. Other organisations include Boots, Barclays, Bristol City Council and Virgin Trains.
The initiative will mean that the College no longer asks about criminal convictions on job application forms, instead committing to considering an applicant’s skills, experience and ability first and foremost.
Having a job can reduce a person’s chance of reoffending by up to 50%, and by signing up to Ban the Box Weston College is creating a fair chance for ex-offenders to compete for jobs and helping to keep the community safer.
Grace Mehanna, Business in the Community’s campaign director for employment and skills, said: “Two thirds of employers admit to discriminating against people with criminal records, but the employers we work with recognise the skills and loyalty this diverse group of people can bring to their roles. Removing the barrier of a tick box can make all the difference to someone deciding to apply to your company.”
The Ofsted “Outstanding” organisation has confirmed that “Weston College is committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce, reducing barriers to employment and offering opportunities to applicants with the talent, motivation and potential to succeed. The College is already proud to be changing lives by the delivery of high quality Offender Learning and we are delighted to have signed up to this new policy. We know from experience how important it is for people with a criminal record to know that they have a fair chance of gaining legitimate employment to support them and their families and contribute positively to society. As an employer, we pride ourselves on equal opportunities for everyone and this is another step we have taken to show people that it is their skills and ability to do the job that matters.”
For more information about the work the College undertakes with ex-offenders visit www.offenderlearning.co.uk or to find out about current job vacancies across the Weston College Group, visit www.weston.ac.uk/jobs
If you'd like to know more about the 'Ban the Box' initiative visit http://www.bitc.org.uk/banthebox
Weston College celebrated the successes and accomplishments of its students at a glamorous awards ceremony at the Winter Gardens Pavilion.
The annual ‘Celebration of Success’ recognises the students who have gone above and beyond in their studies, and have achieved results greater than their own expectations. Over 40 awards were presented during the ceremony.
Many of the students celebrated at the event previously had challenging experiences of education or personal struggles that they had to overcome to facilitate their success.
College staff nominated students who had gone beyond what was expected. A panel of the College’s governing body and leadership team, including its Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, then judged the nominations.
The award winners and their families were treated to a three-course meal, entertainment from University Centre Weston’s FDA and BA Musical Theatre and Professional and Commercial Dance students, followed by a presentation ceremony which saw winners take home certificates and prizes.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive said: “These awards seek to highlight the fantastic achievements of College students and learners from our link schools.
“Many of our students have inspiring stories and personal accomplishments, our Celebration of Success recognises the students who have gone the extra mile and far surpassed their expectations, and the expectations of their significant others.”
Following these awards there is then a winner of winners’ award, which this year went to the Adult Learner of the Year - Zoe Chamberlain.
Dr Phillips said: “Zoe is proof that it’s never too late to learn new skills and we are delighted that she has taken this journey with our support.
“Zoe was 30 year old single mum, with no GCSEs, and no work experience or knowledge of the care industry when she joined the College’s Alliance Care Academy. Her confidence grew massively during the course and she passed all the elements with flying colours and secured a job with Alliance Care. She now visits the Care Academy to tell new learners about her journey and is a big inspiration to others.”
The Weston College Celebration of Success 2019 was sponsored by Midas Group, Derek Quinn - Executive Director, presented the certificates and prizes on the night. Midas Group worked with the College to renovate and enhance the Winter Gardens Pavilion and also developed the new Construction Training Centre and Health and Active Living Skills Centre for Spring 2019. Other sponsors for the evening included, Skylight Properties (drinks reception sponsor); Pace (publication sponsor); Hayes Parsons, Honeyfield Property Services, Sedgemoor Publicity, T.O.C.S.LTD, The Royal Hotel and Zest Media.
Please find below some of our winners from this year’s Celebration of Success:
School Link Students of the Year: James Goodyear-Evans, Nathan Northey, James Young and Jayden Pilgrim
Charlotte Cooke - Foundation Learning Student of the Year
Jack Mayhew - Weston Bay Student of the Year
Charlotte Saunders - Access to Higher Education Student of the Year
Leah Richards - Animal and Equine Studies Student of the Year
William Smith - Business and Tourism Student of the Year
Gabriel Bell - Hospitality Student of the Year
Gemma Logan - Hairdressing and Beauty Student of the Year
Nicole Powers - Law Student of the Year
Luke Grice - Media and Music Student of the Year
Laura Sparrow - Performing Arts Student of the Year
Chloe Collier - Production Arts Student of the Year
Beth Norton - Early Years and Education Student of the Year
Caitlin Gardner - Health and Social Care Student of the Year
Georgia Ferdinando - Sport and Public Services Student of the Year
Cameron Bailey - Advance Engineering Student of the Year
Thomas Griffin - IT and Computing Student of the Year
Aryan Foroughi - Civil Engineering Student of the Year
Ryan Pullen - Construction Student of the Year
Oliver Bessant - Electrical and Plumbing Student of the Year
Alessandro Tessitore - Motor Vehicle Student of the Year
Zoe Chamberlain - Pre-employment Student of the Year
Michael Brooks - Work Experience Student of the Year
Zoe Chamberlain - Gold Award: Adult Learner of the Year
Sandra Bull - Tony Suner Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution (staff award)
Gopal Gomathinayagam - Significant Achievement in Teaching and Learning (staff award)
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