COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
Your Future Starts Here
With hundreds of exciting courses, this is where your journey begins. From day one, you'll be supported, inspired, and on track to a rewarding career.
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Whether you're finishing school, changing direction, or learning English with our ESOL courses – we’ve got you covered.
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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
Starting at a big college after spending years in a school environment might seem like a massive step...
If you're not sure what you'll need to bring on your first day, the list below should point you in the right direction.
Each year we welcome our new students to the College with a university-style Freshers’ Festival, which is packed full of fun activities.
Here you can find out more about pursuing your interests and talk to businesses about careers. There will be employers, agencies, charities and community groups at the fair, and you will be able to sign up for volunteering, fundraising, sports, clubs and societies.
In previous years we've put on a variety of activities to help you meet the other people on your course and across the College, including assault courses, climbing walls and and bucking broncos.
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.”
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
