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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
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)
Searching for the perfect career has never been easier thanks to Career Coach – our innovative new tool.
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Follow the link below and start looking for your dream career now.
Weston College is launching a campaign to create 600 new jobs and training opportunities in six months.
In a recent Somerset Chamber survey, 56% of employers stated that issues around education and skills were a concern for their business. This ambitious initiative will highlight the various ways that employers can engage with Weston College, raising awareness of the College’s comprehensive skills support offer.
There are many ways for employers to get involved, including taking on apprentices and offering work placements to Weston College students. Businesses that ‘pledge’ an opportunity will also reap a range of benefits to help them gain an edge over competitors. This drive follows hot on the heels of the College’s successful bid to create 200 apprenticeship vacancies in 100 days. That campaign exceeded targets, creating 100 apprenticeships in just 71 days, eventually placing 230 apprentices with employers throughout the south west.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “One of the greatest challenges faced by the education sector, and society as a whole, is equipping people with the skills they need in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing world.
“The ‘600 in 6’ campaign takes up that challenge by seeking to inspire the future workforce, and supplementing learning programmes with relevant workplace skills and experience.
“This enterprising campaign is also about working with businesses to understand their training and recruitment needs and, ultimately, deliver genuine economic impact.
“Every opportunity ‘pledged’ by an employer will, potentially, change the life of a learner, and also bring a raft of benefits for their business and the region."
As well as providing apprenticeships and work experience, employers can get involved by giving guest lectures, upskilling their staff supporting inclusion in the workplace, accessing the College’s expanding and successful pre-employment programmes to find new recruits, accessing the award winning offender learning programme to employ ex-offenders, and provide students with ‘real-life’ projects to work on during their course.
By accessing skills support from Weston College, employers can utilise tailored training packages to invest in their workforce, reduce recruitment costs, improve staff retention and productivity, boost their profile, and access untapped pools of work-ready talent.
Businesses will also gain publicity through the campaign social media posts, dedicated webpages, media stories, videos and case studies, highlighting employers involved as businesses that invest in future talent.
The campaign runs from February 4 until the deadline on July 5.
If you would like to find out more about the ‘600 in 6’ campaign, or support the campaign, click here.
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