Adult learning in Kensington and Chelsea
Get the skills you need, to create the life you want
Are you aged 19 or over and ready to develop your skills and knowledge?
There are lots of courses available for you to get ahead in Kensington and Chelsea. Explore them today and make this your best year yet.
In addition to improving skills, you will develop your confidence and interests, have fun, meet new people, increase your employability and in some cases have the option to gain qualifications.
Learning takes place across our borough in a range of places and spaces. There are a variety of courses for all ages and stages.
Try something new this year, enrol today!
There are entry courses to help you improve your:
- literacy
- numeracy
- English
Many of which will lead to recognised qualifications. There are also options for further development opportunities for those looking to reach the next level.
Adult learning brochure
View the 2024 Kensington and Chelsea adult learning brochure:
Adult learning service
We have a wide range of learning opportunities available for adults, some of our classes lead to qualifications in basic and vocational skills. We also offer a variety of options for people wanting to pursue creative, leisure and wellbeing paths.
Our curriculum has three main strands:
Aspiration and employment
Vocational courses leading to formal qualifications can improve your prospects of gaining work, or finding better work.
This includes qualifications, mapped progression routes, employability and courses leading to further education or employment.
There are also opportunities to learn about employment in specific sectors such as childcare, creative arts and healthcare, and about working for yourself, or setting up a business.
Health and wellbeing
There are opportunities for you to develop skills in reading and comprehension; arts and crafts; creative writing; budgeting; spoken English; and technology, and gain vocational qualifications.
These include fitness programmes, activities for social interaction, ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) for health, and well-being courses including dance, singing and gardening.
Participation and citizenship
Courses and activities that help you gain confidence, improve your self-development and cultivate new skills that could lead to career change.
These can include maths and literacy, family learning, ESOL (English for speakers of other languages), digital skills and computing, volunteering and local history.
About us
It is never too late to learn and there are many good reasons to develop new skills. Learning can improve your confidence and wellbeing. Having the right skills can also make it easier to get a better or higher paying job.
We are dedicated to helping adult learners to make the step to get involved - our range of short, part time and evening courses are delivered by our great partners and can really change lives! As well as supporting your personal development, courses are a great way to meet new people in your local community.
We fund many courses that are free for the learner, or subsidised where you have some form of concession.
There is lots of information to help you choose a course, as well as contact details of our learning providers, so you can get in touch directly. We hope that your learning journey with Kensington and Chelsea starts here!
Meet our partners
We work with a wide range of delivery partners, including local organisations and community learning providers, Morley College London, and Learning Curve Group, to deliver high quality learning opportunities for residents in venues across the borough. Get in contact with them directly below for the full range of courses available.
- Advantages of Age
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Advantages of Age, an award-winning company delivering impactful business courses online, delivers the Startup School for Seniors, helping those aged 50 and over to turn ideas into businesses, or grow existing businesses. The course is delivered through a variety of online modules, over two or eight weeks, aimed at supporting people to take their first steps towards becoming self-employed. The training covers:
- Determining the ideal customer and where to find them
- Understanding how to price the product or service
- Knowing the legal requirements of running a business
- Creating a one-page business plan
- Gaining confidence about the steps needed to take to start or grow their business
What three words describe your organisation?
- Fun
- Innovative
- Inspirational
What attracts people to your organisation?
Experienced facilitators who have lived, and real, experience of starting a business.
Surrounded by like-minded learners in similar circumstances.
The flexibility we offer enables participants to learn in their own time and at a pace that suits them.Tell us a success story of someone who’s done one of your courses
Annette was unfairly dismissed from her job working in education and struggled to know what to do next. She had been producing kimonos for friends and family members as a hobby when she was told about Startup School for Seniors. Enrolling on the course, she initially struggled with some of the technology such as using Zoom, but over the eight-week course, her digital confidence improved. By the end of the programme, she was charging double her initial price, had her own Instagram channel and was receiving enquiries from abroad.
Meet the Advantage of Age Team
Contact
telephone: 07957 371 840
email: [email protected]
website: www.startupschoolforseniors.com - Clement James Centre
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The Clement James Centre delivers functional skills courses, an introduction to the digital world, and employment support information.
The Clement James Centre is an award-winning charity that helps everyone in the community to achieve their potential and live fulfilled lives. They do this through a programme of education, employment and wellbeing support, delivered in a safe and compassionate space.
What would your learners say about your organisation in three words?
- Friendly
- Family
- Fun
What attracts people to your organisation?
A safe and welcoming space. It is quite small so not too daunting, especially as we know for some that adult learning is a big step. Lots of people come to us because they’ve been referred by a friend.
Tell us a success story of someone who’s done one of your courses
Lots of students who have done Entry 3 ICT have managed to find employment after completing the class. The feedback received was that they had really been able to use the skills they learnt in class in job interviews and the real world.
Meet the Clement James Team
Contact details
95 Sirdar Road
London
W11 4EQtelephone: 020 7221 8810
email: reception@clementjames.org
Visit the Clement James Centre website for more information on learning and employment support.
- Hammersmith Community Gardens Association
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Growing plants, growing people, growing communities.
Hammersmith Community Gardens Association (HCGA) delivers courses focused on wellbeing including walking, cooking, gardening, nature illustration and family learning linked to horticulture.
Hammersmith Community Gardens Association is a local environmental charity with a range of projects including conservation training schemes, volunteer gardening sessions, health and wellbeing projects, and environmental education.
Promoting environmental sustainability, maximising biodiversity and encouraging wildlife is a priority.
What would your learners say about your organisation in three words?
- Friendly
- Knowledgeable
- Sustainable
What attracts people to your organisation?
We offer practical sessions focusing on using natural ingredients and our courses aim to improve learners' health and wellbeing. Learners also get to take home what they have made as a gift for themselves or others.
Which is your most popular course and why?
Pickles and Preserves. It’s probably very popular because people want to learn about how to make their own preserves. With this new interest in chemical free, healthier products, our Thyme To Get Together course where learners find out how to make their own natural beauty products experiences regular high demand.
Learner feedback
Lucy first attended our Thyme To Get Together course in 2021. She has attended five more of our courses since then and she has just completed our 'Pickles & Preserves' course. She wanted to get out in her community to meet other people and our courses have enabled her to do this. She is a retiree who lives on her own, but it seems that she now has a very active social life and she is much less isolated compared to before, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Find out how you can get back to nature with courses by HCGA
Contact details
Katie Shaw
Operations Managertelephone: 07890 514 050
email: info@hcga.org.uk
- Learning & Skills Solutions
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Learning & Skills Solutions is a specialist, Matrix accredited, Functional Skills provider with a core activity focused on improving basic language skills and English and Maths from Entry Level 1 to Level 2.
For Adult Learning service users, Learning & Skills Solutions delivers a gym-based accredited course, YMCA Level 2 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness Instruction. This course is led by industry experts that bring lots of practical knowledge and experience in a range of fitness and gym based disciplines, supporting learners to develop their skills in exercise and fitness instruction. Learners benefit from free access to a suite of eLearning courses supporting soft skills and vocational development to supplement the face-to-face teaching taking place at the gym.
What three words describe your organisation?
- Flexible
- Friendly
- Experienced
What attracts people to your organisation?
Gym-based training has regular intakes throughout the year providing learners with a Level 2 qualification to work as a Fitness Instructor.
Tell us a success story of someone who’s done one of your courses
One of our learners struggled with a medical condition affecting the lungs, caused by the effects of COVID. She said: “I had respiratory issues when doing exercise before the course started. I was referred by a friend who had done the course before me. The course helped me to overcome my respiratory struggles. I feel much fitter and I am looking forward to helping inactive people in the community by running group sessions, do Level 3 and become a personal trainer for women and young girls.”
Train with Learning & Skills Solutions
Contact details
Address of the gym based course:
Fit For Life Youth
151 Freston Road
Notting Hill
London
W10 6TH
telephone: 01206 769 099
email: [email protected]
www.lass.ltd - Learning Curve Group
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Learning Curve delivers a range of vocational courses including employability skills and helps individuals reach their full potential by removing barriers, supporting those who want to work through online and distance delivery.
What would your learners say about your organisation in three words?
- Supportive
- Passionate
- Inspirational
What’s the number one reason people decide to do adult learning?
The learners we often support are working or want to get back into work, and the flexibility of our courses allows them to learn in their own time, at their own pace, normally fitting around children’s bedtimes, work patterns, and daily commitments. It gives them the freedom to upskill and develop at a rate that suits them as an individual.
What attracts people to your organisation?
Learning Curve Group is a dynamic, forward-thinking company, that lives by its ethos of ‘Transforming Lives Through Learning’. LCG offer a vast portfolio of qualifications to allow learners at any level to gain knowledge and skills to help them with career progression or for self-development. We have access to over £60m of adult skills funding from Government and boroughs like Kensington and Chelsea, which means our scale helps us move swiftly to provide what our learners need quickly.
Learner feedback
I tried alcohol rehabs, but they didn’t work for me, in the end I got myself clean and I wanted to help others to do the same.
I thought I had enough knowledge to help other people, but I soon realised that lived experience wasn’t enough and that I needed qualifications to help me teach.
That’s where I found Learning Curve Group. Their courses gave me the qualifications I needed to help people. I learnt all about mental health and counselling and the more I discovered the more I wanted to know. Their courses kept me focused through the lockdown and have been fantastic.
And now I run my own SMART recovery course, working with people like myself to help change lives.
– SteveWatch Steve's story on YouTube
Contact:
telephone: 01388 777 129
- Learning Unlimited
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Learning Unlimited is a not-for-profit social enterprise that specialises in adult and family learning, ESOL and integration, literacy, numeracy and teacher education. Strongly believing in learning as empowerment, engaging adults and families in local communities who face a wide range of issues and barriers to social inclusion.
Learning Unlimited also trains the volunteers and professionals who work with and support the adults and families from the local communities.
Learning Unlimited leads on local, national and international projects, developing and publishing books and resources, and doing a wide variety of consultancy work.New to delivering in Kensington and Chelsea, Learning Unlimited is offering a range of family learning programmes for you to attend with your child – supporting you to develop your skills to support their learning and development.
What three words describe your organisation?
- Collaboration
- Inclusion
- Innovation
What attracts people to your organisation?
Our passion, creativity and expertise.
Tell us a success story of someone who’s done one of your courses?
Marie Sesay attended a Learning Unlimited Functional English course and also completed the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course with us. From there, she progressed to the University of East London and has now completed a BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies with Special Education and is working towards her Masters!
Contact Details
telephone: 020 3700 1162
email: [email protected]
www.learningunlimited.co - Morley College London
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Morley College London’s Kensington and Chelsea centres offer a wide range of community learning courses including vocational courses that provide a bridge into formal qualifications courses, ESOL and English provision leading to levels 1 and 2 functional skills, returning to maths study and a wide range of creative arts provision.
Morley College London offers a wide range of courses and support services for those coming to education as adult learners. Whether you are looking for professional development, a career change, progression to university or simply want to enhance your skills by learning something new, there is a course to suit you.
There are two main centres:
- Chelsea Centre, by the famous King’s Road
- Kensington Centre in the heart of trendy Portobello
Morley College London offers a creche for students who have children aged between 18 months and 5 years old, alternatively they offer financial help with childcare for those who are eligible.
What would your learners say about your organisation in three words?
- Friendly
- Supportive
- Inspiring
What’s the number one reason people decide to do adult learning?
The simple answer is “to help them to flourish”! But that is also a very complex answer, as flourishing (or wellbeing) consists of multiple activities, and some of these are different for different people. We know from research that wellbeing is achieved through connecting with others, being physically active, learning new skills, acts of kindness to others, and mindfulness (these are the 5 Ways To Wellbeing) – and adult learning helps with all of these things.
What other support is available for learners attending your courses?
Morley offers a huge range of support for students on our courses. This includes financial support, where appropriate, through our bursary scheme, learner support fund, and advanced learner loan bursaries. We also offer additional learning support for students with a special educational need, and we have a team who assess students for this support. We have a wide-ranging advice and guidance service, and a wellbeing service for learners too.
Meet Morley College Chelsea's Team
Meet Morley College Kensington's Team
Learner feedback
One of our students, Debbie, grew up loving music and playing the piano. She studied Music and English at Morley College then went to Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied composition, and began writing scores for television and developing skills in music technology (which she still tries to keep up to date). Her recent work includes Wolfe Hall for the BBC, as well as an album celebrating the Queen’s 95th Birthday, and she was voted the most popular living composer in the Classic FM Hall of Fame in 2022.
Contact
Chelsea Centre
Hortensia Road
London
SW10 0QSKensington Centre
Wornington Road
London
W10 5QQtelephone: 020 7450 1889
Visit the Morley College London website for course information and more details.
- Nova New Opportunities
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Nova New Opportunities is here to support people from diverse backgrounds to move forward with their skills, build confidence and increase their chances of gaining employment. Nova courses lead to nationally recognised qualifications that can unlock further study and job opportunities.
What would your learners say about your organisation in three words?
- Kind
- Responsive
- Effective
Which is your most popular course and why?
English classes! English is our most popular course and communicating with others is fundamental for so many reasons. The level depends on the needs of our learner intake - but Pre-Entry level has been popular recently and we teach ESOL up to Level 1.
What is special or unique about your organisation?
Our services are responsive to what our learners need - rather than the other way round. We also provide a wider holistic offering besides education - so regardless of the initial entry point with Nova, individuals can partake or be referred to one of our other services: pre-employment Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG); the Family Programme; Social Change dialogue events and Volunteering. Our mix of services is pretty unique!
Meet the learners at Nova
Learner feedback
We learn every week including, reading, writing, speaking and listening. The teachers are great! Learning with Nova has made me more confident about my English skills. Nova is an amazing place, they give lots of help to the students. For example, they helped me find a job.
– Haiqing
Contact details
2 Thorpe Close
W10 5XLtelephone: 020 8960 2488
Email: reception@novanew.org.uk
Visit the Nova New Opportunities website for course and employment information.
- Open Age
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Open Age works across Kensington and Chelsea enabling those aged 50 and older to maintain their physical and mental fitness, an active lifestyle and develop new and stimulating interests and skills, fulfill their potential and make new friends. Open Age operates out of two venues.
What would your learners say about your organisation in three words?
- Lifesaver
- Inclusive
- Fun
What is special or unique about your organisation?
We promote a positive approach to ageing and ensure our activities are easy to join and very low cost. At each of our centres there is a space to have teas and coffees and socialise before or after a class, as well as a mini library where books can be borrowed.
Tell us a success story of someone who’s done one of your courses
Yvonne Kazeem is in her eighties and was highly commended for Learning for Personal Progression at the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards recently and it’s turned her life around as she’s now able to communicate easily with her family, friends and lifestyle services such as housing and her GP. Our oldest learner is a lady who was 94 years old!
Meet the Open Age Team
Learner feedback
I couldn’t do anything before because I didn’t have anyone to show me how. I came to Open Age without a device of my own. I had to be brought up to date to the 21st century but I felt that colleges and places of learning were for younger people, not me. The tutors have been so patient with me. I have now completed some courses related to digital skills. I can email the council, search for news and contact my family. I am in a much better place now.
- Yvonne Kazeem (85 years)
Contact details
Second Half Centre
St Charles Centre for Health and Wellbeing
Exmoor Street
London
W10 6DXtelephone: 020 8962 5500 or 020 8962 5594
email: aclbookings@openage.org.uk
New Horizons
Guinness Trust Estate
Cadogan Street
London
SW3 2PFtelephone: 020 7590 8974
email: aclbookings@openage.org.uk
- PSEV
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PSEV is a fast-growing welfare-to-work provider with the objective to change people's lives for the better by providing an employment service that empowers people into sustainable employment. PSEV offers a wide range of courses including employability skills to help learners progress in to employment, further education and training. The offer includes ESOL, Maths and English functional skills, Business Administration and digital skills qualification from entry to higher levels.
What three words describe your organisation?
- Empowering
- Changing lives
- Supportive
What attracts people to your organisation?
PSEV’s key strength in employer engagement supports a successful delivery model to help progress the learner in to employment and/or further education working with local and national employers offering vacancies in different sectors and positions.
Contact
Unit 37
Baseline Studios
Whitchurch Road,
London
W11 4AT
telephone: 020 3687 0030
email: [email protected]
www.psev.org - Strive Training
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Strive Training deliver online and classroom-based accredited course to empower learners to gain the skills, confidence and motivation to get back into work. Since 2010, more than 85,000 adult learners have successfully completed our short courses throughout London and beyond.
What three words describe your organisation?
- Supportive
- Friendly
- Practical
What attracts people to your organisation?
Our success at helping learners return to employment. Our comprehensive training includes support to learners such as handpicked job opportunities, one-on-one career advice, and support on CVs, job applications.
Tell us a success story of someone who’s done one of your courses
We receive heartwarming success stories every week, and one that we really love is from a learner called Alan. When he arrived at Strive Training, he'd hit rock bottom. After a redundancy, he had become homeless (living in local woodland), lacking confidence, and had no hope for a new career.
This is when he took a two-week Warehousing and Storage course with Strive Training, and his fortunes began to change. Supported by our team, Alan completed the course and applied for a warehouse assistant role, where he was offered a job interview. Within a few weeks of coming to Strive, he had secured a new job and started a fresh chapter in his life. Alan told us, "In all honesty, I would never have gotten to this point without Strive Training’s help. I cannot thank them enough for all they have done to help me."
Welcome to Strive Training
Contact
telephone: 020 8952 4856
email: [email protected]
www.strivetraining.co.uk - Westway Trust
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Working with the local community to enable North Kensington to thrive, their vision for sustainable wellbeing incorporates three strands:
- social wellbeing
- environmental wellbeing
- economic wellbeing
Meet the Westway Team
Contact details
1 Thorpe Close
London
W10 5XLtelephone: 020 8962 5744
email:[email protected]
