Barston Blog

We have a wide variety of articles to inform, educate and amuse you as part of your learning journey! Whether you're starting your learning journey or at an advanced stage, we like to think that there's something of interest for everyone in our blog.

Latest Post

3 Sep '26

Is A-Level Sociology Right for You?

Choosing an A-level is easier when you already have some idea of what studying the subject will actually involve. With Sociology, that is not always the case. Most students encounter subjects such as English, Maths and Science throughout school, whereas Sociology may be completely new when they begin considering…
Choosing a Course Careers Miscellaneous Academic Confidence College News
7 Sep '21

Tom Hollins: Tutor Interview

Barston College tutors are readily available to help our pupils when they need it through our Personal Tutor Support service. We’ve decided to interview Tom Hollins, our Head of Department for English and social sciences, to find out more about his life and what motivated him to work for…
26 Aug '21

Top Tips: How to Take Care of Your Dog

When you start looking after a dog, knowing how to take care of your new pet can be a little overwhelming. From suitable food for dogs to recommended exercise each day, we cover everything you need to know about caring for your precious pooch.So, if you’re wondering ‘what food…
Reading time: 6 minutes
30 Jul '21

Benefits of distance learning

Many of you may still associate learning with classrooms and face-to-face teaching. However, online training has grown in popularity and is now the norm for people accessing continued education.  This change is, in part, due to how busy people’s lives have become and the need for…
Reading time: 3 minutes
21 Jul '21

What is Integrative Counselling?

In life, there’s no ‘one size fits all’. Nowhere does this rule apply more than in therapy; what works for one person may not necessarily work for another, and there are certainly no hard and fast rules. Good counsellors and therapists know that making true progress with a client…
Reading time: 6 minutes
13 Jul '21

How to Write a Bibliography: Referencing Styles Explained

If you aren't familiar with writing bibliographies as part of your assignments, it can feel pretty confusing. Often, bibliographies are an afterthought or something left to the last minute. However, if you collect the information as you study, bibliographies can be a hassle-free part of your project. …
8 Jul '21

Award vs Certificate vs Diploma: What’s the Difference?

Whether you’re 16 or 36, the world of training and learning can be confusing. With lots of terminology and a good degree of jargon to get your head around, you might feel like you’ve already earned a qualification simply by understanding what all the different terms mean. In…
Reading time: 6 minutes
2 Jul '21

The five C's of leadership

Effective leadership takes many forms and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution on how to step up to the front. But by gaining an understanding of what it takes to lead, you can set your sights on the top and make achieving your goals a little simpler. Gaining leadership skills…
Reading time: 6 minutes
14 Jun '21

What is an NVQ?

NVQ is an acronym for National Vocational Qualification. It is a work-based qualification that is designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to perform a specific job. NVQs are available at various qualification levels, from entry-level to postgraduate, and can be completed in a wide…
Reading time: 3 minutes
10 Jun '21

Why Is Volunteering Important and What Can It Teach Me?

When you think about it, volunteering helps out in all sorts of ways – not least benefiting life-changing causes around the world. And sparing some of your free time to make a difference can also give you a big boost when it comes to applying for certain higher education…
10 Jun '21

How Can I Apply for Further Education Funding – And What’s Available?

Please note, this article is for education and advice on the available funding options only. We are unfortunately unable to accept loans at this time  Whatever your age, circumstances and background, building skills is one of the best ways to achieve your career goals. But accessing…
Reading time: 7 minutes
8 Jun '21

How Much Would It Cost to Attend Hogwarts in Real Life?

Us Muggles may not have a vault in Gringotts or a mind for magic, but that hasn’t stopped a generation dreaming of joining the wizarding world. But say an owl did drop a Hogwarts letter down your chimney – would you be up for enrolling at the famous School…
Reading time: 8 minutes
4 Jun '21

UCAS Points table - How Many UCAS Points Do I Have? Tariffs and Entry Requirements Explained

If you aren't familiar with them, UCAS Tariff Points can be a little confusing. But basically, the UCAS Points Table is an easy way for universities to work out what your qualifications are worth in a simple, straightforward figure. Not every university uses UCAS Tariff Points to assess your results,…
UCAS
Reading time: 7 minutes
12 May '21

Jobs Working with Animals: What Careers Are There?

According to W.C. Fields, you should “never work with children or animals” but we think that’s a load of rubbish. As far as aspirational careers go, working with both parties sounds OK to us – especially when you consider the range of rewarding jobs on offer. If your…
7 May '21

25 of the Most Difficult Interview Questions – And How to Answer Them

What are your weaknesses? Why do you want to work for us?  Could you explain this gap on your CV? These types of interview questions are likely a source of dread for many applicants, but by understanding what's required and what the interviewer is really looking for, you can…
22 Apr '21

IGCSE vs GCSE: What's the Difference?

Most of us are familiar with GCSEs. These are mandatory exams taken in Years 10 and 11, and are the gateway to further education including A-levels. But did you know that GCSEs are also offered in other countries? The IGCSE, or International International General Certificate…
GCSEs
Reading time: 5 minutes
20 Apr '21

Learner type: which are you?

It’s a well-established fact that people learn differently. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. So, with that in mind, let's explore what learner type you could be. You may find that hands-on learning works best for you, while your friend may prefer to…
Reading time: 7 minutes
15 Apr '21

How to Write a Great CV: Tips, Examples and Structure

Whatever job you’re applying for, a CV is your foot in the door. These professional profiles have the power to make or break your future career, so it’s essential you give yours the attention it deserves. To help you write a job-landing CV, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide with…
23 Mar '21

Career Options in Psychology Explored: Picking the Right Path for You

Studying psychology equips you with a broad range of skills that could help you land your dream job. But with so many career options available in the field of psychology, how do you decide on the path that’s right for you? To help, we’re exploring the different job options for…
22 Mar '21

The National Skills Fund: Everything You Need to Know

Do you have a question about the National Skills Fund? Maybe you want to find out if you’re eligible? Or you'd like to learn more about the courses available? Here, we’ve put together a guide on everything you need to know about the UK government’s National Skills…
21 Mar '21

The 10 Classic Books You Might Own That Are Worth Thousands

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, it might be time to sort through your bookshelves and see if you have any of these classic children’s books in your collection, because you could be sitting on a fortune! We have undertaken in-depth…
Reading time: 4 minutes
16 Mar '21

Starting a Childcare Business: Everything You Need To Know

With the end of lockdown now in sight and the demand for childcare services steadily growing, if you’ve got the right skillset and an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s never been a better time to consider starting your own business as a registered childminder. Sound interesting?…
15 Mar '21

How to Write a Personal Statement for University

So you may have just finished your A-levels (or equivalent) and feel like it's the perfect time for you to apply for university. A shared fear that many students have is submitting a personal statement to their university of choice. But it needn’t be the scary and stressful…
15 Mar '21

The UK’s Most (and Least) Adopted Dog Breeds Revealed

With Britons spending more time at home than ever due to the pandemic, searches for dog adoption in the UK are now at an all-time high. Over the past 12 months alone, online dog adoption searches have increased by 203% – and are the highest level of interest since…
Reading time: 7 minutes
7 Mar '21

What Are Soft Skills and Why Are They Important? (With Examples)

Easy to overlook yet crucial to career success; soft skills can make all the difference in landing that dream job. But what exactly are these non-technical, non-practical skills? And how do you go about adding them to your CV? To help you get to grips with what soft skills are…
Reading time: 6 minutes
  1. 1
  2. …
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. …
  11. 11
  1. Post Archive
  2. Posts by Tag