Barston Blog

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…

In England, most students will choose nine or ten GCSE topics when they are around 13 or 14 years old. These are then studied over the next two years. Some academically advanced and ambitious students may take eleven or twelve GCSEs at a time. Why does this…

Are you looking to level-up your career or take the first steps towards a new profession? Then gaining a vocational qualification could be the best way to realise your ambitions. In this guide, we’ll take you through the what and the why of vocational learning courses, explaining how…

When it comes to Christmas, every family is different, so everyone’s traditions are unique! To bring back that sense of nostalgia, we asked a few Barston College team members what family traditions or memories they have from Christmas’ past. And whilst we may be eating turkey sandwiches wrapped from head to toe in the garden and quizzing with distance relatives over Zoom, some…

If you’re reading this, we’re going to assume that you’ve already taken A-level courses and they didn’t quite go to plan – either you didn’t get the grades you wanted, or perhaps you took them many years ago and you need updated certificates. Either way, you’re not…

Okay, so you didn’t get the results you were planning for the first time around... Even though this can be devastating, it’s more common than you’d think; in 2019, more than a third of students failed to pass their maths and English GCSEs. Educational experts believe…

The coronavirus pandemic has driven thousands of A-level students to defer their place at university, with many hesitant to dive into the experience amid continuing uncertainty. But Covid isn’t the only reason why students defer going to university. It’s something that hundreds of students do every year for…