SCHOOL LEAVERS’ PROSPECTUS 2021/22 BRINGING OUT YOUR BEST www.btc.ac.uk Contents 102 Childcare & Early Years WELCOME 106 Computing & Digital Technologies QUALIFICATIONS 110 Construction You’re at an exciting moment in your life, school is finishing and you’re wondering about your next steps. 44 A Levels 119 Countryside Management Coming to Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) is a brilliant first step in 56 International realising your ambition. We believe in the ability of each of our students to Baccalaureate 122 Creative Arts fulfil their potential to become the best they can be. We have campuses at Bridgwater, Taunton and Cannington, offering a broader, more diverse range 62 T Levels 135 Engineering of subjects and qualifications than ever before. 64 Apprenticeships 141 English (ESOL) 2 Frequently Asked These courses combine real-world experience with academic rigour and Questions VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS 143 Equine Studies fantastic employability. Our staff know their disciplines from the inside out, 4 College Life The primary aim of our and many are able to offer a professional perspective on their teaching as a 66 Agriculture 147 Foundation Studies “ result of working in related industries. courses is to give you 10 Fantastic Facilities 73 Animal Care & 152 Hairdressing Management We give you all the support you need to go in whichever direction you every opportunity to 18 BTC News 156 Health & Social Care choose, and I’m so proud of our graduating students. There are so many 76 Applied Science flourish, educationally success stories, from studying at Oxbridge and winning a scholarship from 24 My BTC Advantage 160 Horticulture, Sports a college in America, to securing a nuclear apprenticeship and touring 78 Arboriculture Turf & Greenkeeping and socially. with Kylie; the world really is their oyster. For me, that’s a key feature 26 College Academies of education, to prepare you for whichever path you choose to follow. 80 Automotive 164 Nuclear 30 Sports for Everyone That way, you’ll have So, whether you’re thinking about A Levels, T Levels, the International Baccalaureate, a vocational course or an Apprenticeship, you can be sure 88 Barbering 167 Sports, Coaching & 32 Supporting your Exercise Health the best preparation for we are the place to come. Learning 90 Beauty & whatever comes next. Complementary 174 Uniformed Protective ” At BTC, it isn’t all work and no play. We have a wide range of extra- 34 Choose the Therapies Services curricular activities for you to get involved in, from representing the College Right Course at sport, to putting on a play or raising money for one of a number of 94 Business & Events 36 Your Educational charities. Management Journey 97 Catering, Hospitality This prospectus will help you decide if BTC is the right place for you. 38 The Application & Food industries It outlines the courses available and what it’s like to study at one of our Process state-of-the-art campuses. It will also help you think about the likely shape of your professional future. 40 Getting Here Rated Outstanding in five 42 University Centre “ Don’t just take my word for it, come and see for yourself. We have open key areas, confirming the Somerset evenings and taster workshops across all the campuses which will help you College as a leading skills get a feel for the College, talk to our tutors and see where you’ll be studying. 177 Our Offer and learning provider.” I look forward to welcoming you to the College. 179 Application Form Ofsted | March 2019 Andy Berry Principal & CEO Bridgwater & Taunton College MY BTC ADVANTAGE | www.btc.ac.uk Frequently Asked Questions If I study a full-time course how many hours will I’m really good at sport, are there any scholarships I have to be in College each week? available for me? Is there someone who can help me choose what to study? What happens when I get my GCSE results? It varies per course and your timetable will be issued and We offer four levels of scholarships ranging from £125 to Yes, we have an Information, Advice & Guidance team who Hopefully you’ll be celebrating and could start on a higher discussed at your Welcome Day. The timetable will be set, £1,000. They are based on your previous achievement offer careers advice. Open events are also an excellent level course than you planned. If things haven’t gone quite so if you have other commitments, you should be able to and you can apply whether you’re studying sport or not. way to research different colleges and start to look at your as well as you hoped, it’s important to remember not to arrange things around the time you need to be at College. For more information, please visit the Scholarships & options. Please chat to our School Liaison Officers when panic. We have a team of supportive staff who are happy to Bursaries section on our website or email [email protected] they visit your school and don’t forget your Careers Advisor. talk you through your options. Once you have your results, I don’t enjoy sport, are there any other clubs I can join? pop into the College to meet a member of the Information, Our Academies and BTC Active offer you the opportunity to What is the deadline for applications? Advice & Guidance team or call our GCSE helpline. There pursue your aspirations, make new friends, relax and enjoy We advise everyone to apply as soon as possible so that are a number of alternatives they can explore with you. time away from your studies. Read more in College Life on you’re interviewed before GCSE revision really kicks in. page 4 and College Academies on page 26. Applications open in October of your final year, so you can If I travel by bus, do I have to stay at College all day? apply as soon as you’ve done your research. If you live in Somerset, you may choose to purchase the Somerset County Ticket which gives you the freedom to Can I apply to more than one college? travel throughout Somerset at any time, including weekends Yes, and you can apply for more than one course, though and holidays. The College operates a number of services we recommend you try not to apply for more than three. that do not fall under the county scheme from areas If you have applied for very different subjects, you may be without direct public services. This College bus pass only interviewed more than once. allows one inward and outward journey each day during term time. If I apply early, am I tied in or can I change my mind? Following a successful interview, you’ll be sent a conditional What catering facilities do you have? offer which you can accept or decline. This can be done at We have a wide range of catering outlets on each campus, any stage before September, but it’s better to secure your so whether you want a nourishing home-cooked meal, a place as soon as possible. quick snack or slurp of coffee, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants to satisfy your needs and dietary What happens if I don’t get an employer for an requirements. If you meet the criteria, you could receive apprenticeship before September? a free daily hot or cold meal with a drink. All students The final year at school is really busy, so you may struggle to have a College account that allows them to use their FAQs secure a job with an employer looking for an Apprentice. We student ID to pay for meals in the restaurants. If you suggest you choose a full-time Study Programme as your receive free meals, your ID will be pre-loaded in the second choice so you’re guaranteed a College place. You can same way as your peers. change to an Apprenticeship at any time after you start your Study Programme if you find employment. What will my timetables be like? You’ll be given your timetable at your Welcome Day and What sorts of questions will they ask me in the interview? it will depend on the course you’ve chosen. When you Your interview is an informal chat with a tutor about your don’t have a lesson, you’re free to work in the library or successes at school, your aspirations and future plans. If study areas, take part in enrichment activities or spend you’ve applied for a creative arts course or subject, you will time with friends in the common rooms. Apprenticeships be asked to perform a piece or bring some art work. Don’t work differently – you could be at work all week and only worry, the tutors are really friendly and just want to get to come into College one day a week, or you could spend a know you better. It’s also your chance to find out more about few weeks at College then work full-time, or never come in the course you’ve chosen and ask questions. At the end of to College and learn everything on the job (including being the interview you’ll be given a conditional offer based on assessed at work by a College Assessor). your GCSE grades or the other criteria you’ve talked about. Do you have uniforms or can I wear anything I want? There are no uniforms but some departments such as sport and automotive have branded clothing, and Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) is expected to be worn in most workshops. You will be issued a lanyard which you must wear on campus for security reasons.