Barston Blog

Payroll is an essential part of any company. Duties include making sure employees are paid correctly and on time, checking working hours, and calculating tax. If you’ve got strong maths and organisational skills, payroll offers a rewarding career path. Whether you’re starting out or considering a career…

A receptionist role is ideal if you’re looking for a flexible day job. Reception work doesn’t necessarily require formal qualifications, though there are courses for receptionists for specific industries. You might choose a reception role if you’re a people person and have good organisational skills. A base knowledge…

This is the year. The year where fantastic things will happen, especially at work and you find out how to get a promotion in 2022. You’ll put in the effort, smash your goals and, hopefully, land that promotion you’ve been hoping for. Read on to explore and learn…

What is the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC)? Looking to upskill or retrain? The MOD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC), provided through ELCAS, promotes lifelong learning for members of the UK's Armed Forces. The scheme, through approved ELCAS courses, provides financial support for up to three years to enable…

The United Kingdom has some of the best universities in the world. Not only do they offer world-class education, but they also boast beautiful venues, a life-changing student experience and bustling city experiences. If you're looking to study in the UK, getting into a university can seem like…

With ‘The Great Resignation’ stealing headlines, the prospect of a career change has never been more pertinent. Though the term was coined in the United States in spring 2021, we’re seeing similar patterns in the UK. In November 2021, for example, it was revealed that one in four…

At the turn of 2021, health experts predicted an impending ‘burnout spike’ for Britain’s workforce. Research into Google Trends revealed a spike in searches for “symptoms of burnout” in the wake of the pandemic, while seasonal changes also made a difference. This article looks at how to prevent burnout…

Counselling is a type of therapy that involves you and a therapist talking about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours openly and honestly. This can lead to healing from past trauma or other difficult periods in life. Counsellors are skilled listeners who will never judge you for what they hear…

Four-legged, furry friends make a world of difference in our everyday lives, and it’s hard to imagine life without them. From cuddles and snuggles on the couches to gallops in the outdoors, animals provide us with companionship, loyalty, adventure and unconditional love, which is why working with animals can…

Adult social care is a vital part of our society that many people do not know much about; it is most often defined as providing services to adults with disabilities, chronic illness, or mental health conditions who are unable to perform daily tasks on their own.  If…

So you know exactly what your dream career looks like, but you're wondering how to get UCAS points? The next step towards your goal is to gain a place on a university course, power through an undergraduate degree and leap into a bright future. But in doing that,…

Quick Links Unanswered Questions Find Out from Someone Who Knows Take Your Time Identifying Your Skills Embrace Change Considering a midlife career change but overwhelmed with the fear of it going wrong? Or perhaps starting…

You’ve probably heard the term early bird or night owl. But it may surprise you that whether you prefer to be up with the larks or like to have a lie-in it isn’t just based on your own habits. It’s actually thought to be a part of our…

At Barston College, we love to shout about our students’ achievements. So, we’re really pleased to say that our very own Tomas Kirby has run the marathon! To say we’re proud of Tomas for this achievement would be an understatement. Getting over the hurdles and completing the race…

In this article The Stats Speak for Themselves The Solution to the Problem How to Stay Motivated Do you feel that you’re behind when it comes to certain life skills you need? You’re not alone! A recent study by the Learning and Work Institute…

Are you wondering if you should study in the UK? Perhaps you’re based in another country and considering the benefits UK qualifications could bring to your career. Whether you’re thinking of studying A-levels in the UK, GCSEs or another distance learning course, there are…

What is psychometric testing? Is there a scarier-sounding phrase? Whilst it might sound like you’re about to be attached to some kind of mind-reading device, the reality is far less horrifying. Psychometric testing is simply a series of relatively straightforward questions or tasks, designed to test your suitability for…

Creating a CV that will land you a job interview can be tough, especially if you haven’t had to apply for a new position in a while. With job applications increasing exponentially and up to 200 applicants applying for each role, it’s vital that your CV makes a…

At the very best of times, working with a disability can be challenging. During a pandemic, trying to find a job with a disability can seem impossible. Research shows that disabled people are twice as likely to face redundancy and find it much more difficult…

If you’ve been out of the job market for a few years, you probably think that applying for a job simply means handing out your CV and writing a decent cover letter. You’re half right; crafting great CVs and cover letters is incredibly important, and we walk you…

Whether you’ve been made redundant, stuck in a tedious job for too long, or looking to enter the workforce for the first time, finding a new career can be tricky. Lots of industries have suffered as a result of the pandemic and subsequent recession and won't return to normal…

With the current economic forecast, you might be wondering if it’s possible to start a successful business from home right now. The answer is yes! Here, we’ll run through exactly how you can do it, along with three businesses sure to profit. Bookkeeping Thorough and accurate bookkeeping is…

It is not uncommon to feel a strain on your Mental Health, whether it's due to a situation you're going through or have gone through, or for another reason. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar, PTSD and many more are now starting to gain more recognition in society…

Not to be confused with self-esteem or arrogance, confidence is a term used to describe how you feel about your ability to make decisions, carry out actions, and perform tasks. Being confident is about being sure of yourself, even if you sometimes make mistakes. However, when things happen that…