Barston Blog

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…

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…

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…

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?…

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…

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…

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…

As experts in distance learning, we are well aware of the challenges of trying to learn and study in your own home. The biggest hurdle is often getting yourself into the mood to work or study and to then staying motivated and focused throughout a study session.

In March 2020, most parents probably had only a vague idea of what their kids were learning in the classroom. Now, though, after months of playing teacher at home, many mums and dads will have a new-found respect for just how tough school can be. If it’s…

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? It’s a question that many people struggle to answer. But if you want to get a handle on your career and aspirations for the future, creating a personal development plan (PDP) could provide the steer you need. Here, we’re…

So, you've just enrolled (or plan on enrolling) onto a distance learning A-level course, GCSE course or another vocational course from an online provider such as Barston College. There are many advantages to online learning, from flexibility to convenience, but if you want to make the most of…

Although all of our students are dedicated and hardworking, Andrew Rathbone from Cannock in Staffordshire takes the crown for his sheer commitment to learning and will to succeed. Having left college with little confidence but always up for a challenge, Andrew began working for West Midlands Police as a control…

It’s the age-old problem: how do you gain relevant experience of a job you’ve not done yet? Fresh from higher education or a learning course, your next step is securing that first role – no mean feat without the right practical experience. If you’re struggling to get your…

Adopted in 2008, the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) sought to unify qualifications across all EU member states, providing a useful way to cross-reference qualifications with other countries. This proved a boon for businesses seeking to employ staff from beyond the border and vice versa. The EQF is…

Studying law is a serious business. Whether you want to study A-level Law or you’re ready to study at the degree level, you’ll know the legal system is a complex web of rules and customs, all designed to maintain peace, order, and justice. On average, …

Many have argued that everyone is born with equal potential. However, there are some people who seem to have a level of ability or skill that defies belief. These people usually display the characteristics of a genius. A genius is defined as a person who has a remarkable…

Do you find crime shows on TV fascinating? Do you insist on watching Crimewatch? Are you interested in the way that crime impacts on society? If yes, criminology is for you! In this post, we take an in-depth look at criminology, from its origins and functions to the…

When we posed a tricky maths question on our social media accounts in January, we expected two things: a lot of wrong answers, and some correct answers from our maths students. What we didn’t expect, however, was the correct answer from a nine-year-old boy – complete with workings! Not…

Counselling is an increasingly popular profession, and it’s easy to see why: it’s incredibly rewarding, it offers flexibility and a great work/life balance, and there’s plenty of room for career progression as well as the pursuit of interesting specialities. There are many routes into counselling, depending on what type…

Do you crave a career which guarantees you’ll smile every single day? With flexible hours, that you can fit around your schedule? If the answer is yes, and you also have a passion for helping children to learn and grow, then you might well be interested in a career…

Are you intimidated by the thought of A-level selection? Perhaps you’re unsure about what your next step should be. Or are you considering getting back into studying after taking an absence? We know this can be a tricky decision to make. That’s why we’ve put together…

In the summer of 2020, amidst the chaos of lockdown 1.0, we decided to make dreams come true and give away another Barston College scholarship. We asked our students to send us a short video, explaining a little bit about themselves, their hopes and dreams for the future, and why…

Becoming a teaching assistant promises a rewarding and varied career. Tasked with supporting young people who need extra help, the work is fulfilling and engaging, and no two days are the same. If you’ve recently completed a teaching assistant qualification, it’s safe to assume that the next…

Are you unsure where your career is heading? Perhaps you feel stuck in a rut and ready for something new? In these situations, it can be hard to know what to do and where to turn for help – and that’s where a mentor comes in. Whatever your aspirations, enlisting…