Programmes for School Leavers
Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds
COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
With hundreds of unique, exciting and inspiring programmes to choose from, everything you need to create your brighter future is waiting for you at Weston College.
From the minute you walk through the door, the experience and the environment that we create is all about maximising your potential. It’s about preparing and motivating you for a fresh and focused career pathway.
Every Weston College student becomes part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs. This means you will take part in a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of help you to go further, giving you the opportunity to become career ready with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to be successful in your next step and reach your ultimate goal - whatever that may be!
Whether you are looking for the next step after school or the next step in your career, we're bound to have a programme for you. Take a look below at the different types of qualifications available for school leavers and young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Did you know we also run English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
Start your brighter future by selecting a subject you're interested in below, and don't forget - you can apply online and it only takes 5 minutes!
Discover our range of courses for school leavers aged 16-18 using the search options below...
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Qualifications Explained
At Weston College we know that everyone learns differently. That’s why we deliver a variety of different qualification types - to give you the chance to learn in the way that suits you the most.
A Levels
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.
Apprenticeships
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
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.
Traineeships
Traineeships are a great way for 16 to 24-year-olds who haven’t yet gained the skills and experiences necessary to apply for jobs and apprenticeships. They are taught mostly in the workplace and include a mixture of personal and social development, and employability skills. The aim of a traineeship is to train you within a company so that you are more likely to be offered an apprenticeship or a job.
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.
CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY
We are all about CAREERS NOT COURSES and pride ourselves on being able to offer a huge range of programmes to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge employers and universities are looking for. As the only education provider in North Somerset that enables you to work your way up from an entrylevel programme to a degree, we’re here to help you choose the right programme for you.
We can help you choose your study programme or apprenticeship by accessing the following support:
School Liaison Team
Working with local schools we help you find out about college life and programmes of study, and we provide you with advice and guidance about what programmes will best suit you. We will either visit your school, attend careers fairs and parents’ evenings or coordinate campus and virtual events such as our taster days, holiday workshops and tours.
Events
We put on a number of events over the year, which will be a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events. These provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore our facilities, speak to our lecturers, find out about the support on offer and choose the right programme for you. Our events also give you the opportunity to engage with a number of employers to find out about careers in their industry and why they value the calibre of candidates that come from Weston College.
CAREERS ADVICE
- On our website you can access a wealth of career guidance, such as:
- All the programmes you can study.
- What our alumni have gone on to achieve.
- Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) that will help explain what relevant careers and jobs are available, including salaries.
- NEW – Subject careers roadmaps, so you can map your journey with us and ensure it will get you into your chosen career. Also, check out Career Coach - this provides you with the opportunity to:
- Take an assessment that matches you with careers.
- Explore broad career pathways that match your strengths and interests.
- Compare careers within a pathway - including salaries, required education and more.
- Explore our programmes that will set you on the path to your desired career.
- Take a career assessment - and receive an in-depth report that can help you identify the best programme and career path for you!
We’re here and happy to help – if you would like more advice and guidance, contact our school liaison team by emailing schoolteam@weston.ac.uk. - they you can arrange a one-to-one careers appointment with our specialist staff.
LATEST NEWS
<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A group of Year 2 </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">BTEC Civil Engineering</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners recently visited <strong>Beard Construction Ltd</strong>’s site at the <strong>Bristol Zoo Project</strong> in North Bristol. The visit was part of the national <strong>“Open Doors” initiative</strong>, organised by <strong>Build UK</strong>, which offers students and members of the public a chance to explore live construction sites and discover the diverse career opportunities within the industry. The event was arranged by Bev Parfitt, the Social Value Co-Ordinator at <strong>Beard Construction</strong>.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit began with a Health and Safety briefing at the site offices, followed by an overview of the £9.2 million project, delivered by Beard’s site management team. The project involves the construction of a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project, which will bring together critically endangered Western lowland gorillas and endangered cherry-crowned mangabeys for the first time in a UK zoo.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Learners were then taken on a guided tour of the site, where they observed key stages of the construction process. Highlights included the installation of pre-cast concrete retaining walls, steel frame installation, and roof construction. The group also took note of the foundation construction methods as these closely aligned with topics currently being covered in their coursework.</span></p><drupal-entity alt=""A learner being shown the levelling of concrete walls"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fe02ed4-334c-4448-a1fd-eab1dc3ae4eb" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Students also witnessed the lifting and placement of a concrete unit, learning how these elements are installed with precision to ensure they meet the required tolerances and remain level. This gave them valuable insight into the practical application of engineering principles.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The students also loved seeing some of the zoo’s animals, including red pandas and giraffes, observing the construction activity.</span></p><drupal-entity alt=""A red panda poking through trees"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c1cdb4a-d784-4c8b-829f-ababf80c5fa4" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><drupal-entity alt=""A giraffe poking between 2 trees"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2fb41cfa-045e-49a2-bc53-0aa21d8fffc2" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The project is expected to be completed by late summer 2025 and handed over to the client. Daniel Comerford, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Construction</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “The learners and staff found the visit very interesting and exciting. It was inspiring to see such a complex construction project being carried out to such a high standard. It was also a great opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world construction practice.”</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A big thank you to the <strong>Beard Construction</strong> site team for their time and insight. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and provide learners with more hands-on experiences in the construction industry.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">If you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses, click here.</span></a></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Last month, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A Level</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> Law students from Weston College </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sixth Form</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> took part in an educational visit to Bristol Crown Court, offering them a unique and immersive experience into the workings of the legal system.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The day began with a Q&A session with a judge, where students were able to ask questions about the judge’s career, their experiences within the legal system, and the responsibilities of their role. This honest discussion gave students valuable professional insight into how decisions are made in court and the realities of working in the legal field.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">After the session, students spent time in the public galleries, observing a range of live cases. This allowed them to see courtroom procedures in action, including various types of legal arguments and interactions between legal professionals. It brought to life the theory they’ve studied in class, offering a deeper understanding of criminal law and the judicial process.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit provided students with an opportunity to apply their academic learning to a real-world scenario. Seeing the justice system firsthand gave them a more comprehensive view of courtroom dynamics and helped to solidify their understanding of how a trial unfolds from start to finish. It also highlighted the structure and complexity of Crown Court proceedings that can’t be taught in a classroom.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This experience was not only educational but also extremely insightful, giving students greater clarity about potential future careers in law and the potential pathways available to them.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">This curriculum trip etc forms part of the </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sixth Form</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></span></p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Recently, a group of sixth form students joined thousands of pupils across the UK in taking part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz programme, marking a huge milestone for the initiative. With this most recent visit, over 20,000 students and teachers have now participated in the Trust’s transformative educational journey to the site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. </p><p>Now in its fourteenth year, <strong>the Lessons from Auschwitz project aims to educate post-16 students and teachers about the Holocaust through a powerful combination of historical context, personal testimony, and direct experience.</strong> The programme is based on the belief that “hearing is not like seeing” and uses immersive, first-hand encounters to bring the reality of the Holocaust to life in ways that classroom learning alone can't. </p><drupal-entity alt=""auschwitz-birkenau building"" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0e7bfefc-0765-48fc-9e0d-fd653f20cd0e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"content_wisth_1200","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p>The four-part course begins with an orientation seminar focusing on Jewish life in Europe before the Second World War. This foundation provides context, helping students understand the lively and diverse communities that were devastated by the Holocaust. The seminar also features the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, offering a deeply personal perspective on events that are too often reduced to statistics. </p><p>Following this, students travel to Poland, where they visit the town of Oświęcim—known today as the site of Auschwitz, but once a thriving community in which 58% of the population was Jewish before the war. The visit to the Auschwitz camp introduces participants to the harrowing conditions faced. There, they witness the preserved barracks and haunting displays of seized belongings, including piles of shoes, suitcases, glasses, and human hair. These serve as a stark reminder of the individuals behind the numbers. </p><drupal-entity alt=""students listening to a talk at auschwitz-birkenau"" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b15e44f9-3f08-4ac9-8cc1-cfaf7cb3440b" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"content_wisth_1200","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p>The visit continues at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the main site of the mass killings. Students walk through the infamous railway gates, stand on the ramp where selections were made, and visit the ruins of the gas chambers and crematorium. The day ends with a candle-lighting ceremony and a period of quiet reflection, honouring the memory of the millions who were unjustly killed. </p><p>Our A Level History lecturer, Katie Moran, who accompanied four students on this recent trip described the experience as “emotional and sobering.” She added: </p><p>“Walking through the gates of Auschwitz, standing on the ground where over a million lives were taken, and witnessing the remains of Birkenau was an emotional and sobering experience that words can barely capture. Seeing the piles of shoes, suitcases, and hair made the scale of the Holocaust feel devastatingly real. It was a stark reminder of the human stories behind the statistics we often teach in the classroom.” </p><p>The students showed maturity and empathy. For them, the visit was not only about understanding the past but also about learning the responsibility that comes with remembrance. By confronting the atrocities of the Holocaust, they are now better equipped to challenge antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hatred in today’s world. </p><p>Interested in our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Level History course</u></a>? Explore not only History, but other A Levels we have to offer <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong> </p>
