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
You’ll probably find that college is different to school in many ways. Here’s a few things you might want to know about life at college...
Tutors
Teachers are known as tutors and you call them by their first name. You’ll meet your personal tutor during your induction, they will be your first point of contact for everything at college. They’ll also meet with you in 1-1 sessions to check your progress. During your first week there will be lots of activities to help you settle in and make friends.
Responsibility
Your personal tutor will give you your timetable. You’ll be responsible for getting to College and your classes on time and for managing your own assignments. You might find you have free time during the day, or have some days when you don’t need to come to college. But don’t forget the library is always open! At College you are given more freedom and also more responsibility. There are no buzzers to signal the start and end of lessons.
Student Services
If you’re not sure about your course, or you want some advice on careers or university the student services team is available for 1-1 support. The college also has Welfare and Learning Support teams at each of the main campuses to help you settle in and provide you with a wide range of support and guidance throughout your time at college. If you need support for your studies or welfare support your tutor can arrange this or you can go to them directly. Click here to find out more.
More than just study
Don’t forget, College isn’t just about study, we also have the brilliant Students' Union. Become a member or get involved in the fantastic range of Sports, events and enrichment activities to make your time at college even more enjoyable.
Our hospitality and catering department is always busy in the Grove Training Kitchen and Restaurant on the second floor of the Knightstone Campus. Whether they’re making treats to sell around the College, or serving the public in the evening, they are always learning and improving their skills.
We’re taking a look back at the best guest chefs and experiences they’ve had over the last term…
Making canapés and serving front of house at Berwick Lodge
Our students were given a fantastic opportunity at the start of the year to serve front of house at an event at Berwick Lodge, and make canapés with head chef, Istvan Ulmann. They had a fantastic day, making a variety of dishes for a BBQ event and afternoon tea, and Istvan later returned to the College to deliver a guest session in our Grove Restaurant. Read the full story here.
Weston Wok from the College’s atrium
Back in February, a few of our Level 3 students decided to run their own Weston Wok lunch business from the Knightstone Campus atrium! They cooked lunch for paying members of the public, staff and students, fresh in front of them.
A vegetarian chef came for a visit
Elisabeth Guillén, Head Chef at The Gloucester Old Spot in Bristol, came in to lead a class of our Level 3 students. She taught them about traditional Spanish recipes with a vegetarian focus, creating some fantastic dishes and showing the diverse flavours you can create, even without meat! You can read the full story here.
Serving a party of 40 guests in the Grove Restaurant
The College recently held a special celebration for winning the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, so our hospitality and catering students worked hard throughout the day to make a three-course meal for all 40 VIPs. Everyone was thoroughly impressed with the food and all their hard work.
Working at the Cheltenham Festival
22 of our students attended the Cheltenham Festival to serve thousands of visitors over the week. They encountered a few famous faces while working in the Gold Cup Restaurant, Paddock Restaurant and The Sizzling Jack prepping food and serving front of house.
Find out more
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in hospitality and catering, we offer a range of courses and apprenticeships that can help you on your way!
Click here to find out more...
A female driver for a Somerset based delivery company has just passed her LGV C driving licence, having been trained through Somax Driver Training, part of the Weston College Group.
Six months ago, Emma Wilson aged 32 from Weston-super-Mare, was a Dispensing Assistant at a Pharmacy and after a chance conversation with a Director of Jays Logistics, she decided to change her career path and joined the company as a van driver.
Emma was then signed up to the government’s trailblazer apprenticeship scheme for Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver, this was done in conjunction with award winning trainers from Backwell based Somax Driver Training. On Monday 19th March 2018, Emma passed her LGV C driving test with only four minors.
The transport and logistics industry is heavily male orientated and the training required makes it seem expensive to get into, but across the UK there is a shortage of around 50,000 HGV drivers. With companies like Jays Logistics, in partnership with Somax and Weston College, offering many ways to get into the industry from warehouse, driving and office apprenticeships, this could be set to change.
Paul Phillips, Operations Director at Jays Logistics, said: “When Emma joined us in October 2017 we both took a leap of faith, Emma had never driven anything bigger than a Fiat 500!
“However, we took a chance; Emma took an initial drop in wages for the potential future earnings and a career doing something she enjoys.
“In five months Emma has learnt the ropes and has been driving a 4m Sprinter since her start, her confidence has soared, she is a well-liked, valuable and hardworking member of the team.”
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
