8:36am Saturday 8th March 2008
HIGH achievers at Weymouth College will soon be vying to become young apprentices at the sailing academy.
The college has been awarded 15 places on the apprenticeships sports programme in sailing and watersports for the 2008/2009 academic year.
The new key stage four course, based at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, will be specifically aimed at high-achieving A*-C grade students.
The programme contains a level two vocational qualification such as a BTEC in sport and leisure, and five GCSEs.
It also encompasses 50 days work experience over two years at the SailLaser school, based at the academy, and a range of smaller level one and two qualifications such as RYA qualifications, first aid, and RYA coaching awards.
The programme will be completed over year 10 and 11, with courses taking two days a week alongside core curriculum subjects such as English, maths and science.
However, the courses are very flexible, and the work experience can be fitted in during weekends, schools holidays and evenings.
Sailing curriculum development officer at the college Holly Henderson said: "This is a fantastic development for students in the borough.
"The opportunity for youngsters to move onto a young apprenticeship sports programme in sailing and watersports is very exciting."
Chief executive of the academy Mark Stubbings said: "I am delighted more local youngsters will be given the chance to take advantage of excellent initiatives being developed by Weymouth College. The academy is an unrivalled place to undertake these young apprenticeship courses."
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