Adult Learning

How we are funded

The Adult Learning Service offers a wide range of courses for adults and families, funded by the Greater London Authority through the Adult Skills Fund.

Who we work with

We work with trusted delivery partners including: 

• small local voluntary organisations

• Morley College London (our local further education college)

• larger private training providers

• council departments such as Libraries and Housing and Employment

Our aims

We aim to meet a wide range of interests and needs, including specialist support such as people aged over 50 and those who speak English as a second language.

Whether you're looking for a short course, evening classes or part-time study, our courses are designed to fit around your life and can make a real difference.

We aim to make learning as local as possible. Courses take place in libraries, community centres and other local venues.

Our learners in numbers

Our learners come from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and experiences. Here’s a snapshot of who joins our courses:

• you will be joining around 3,000 learners, with access to over 490 courses
• 20% of our learners say they have a learning disability or difficulty
• 74% of learners are from non-white British ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of our community
• 75%  of our learners are female and 25% are male

Age breakdown

• 9% are aged 19 to 24
• 27% are aged 25 to 39
• 37% are aged 40 to 59
• 27% are aged 60 and over

Attendance and punctuality

When you sign the student declaration and learning agreement on the enrolment form, you agree to attend regularly and on time

You must attend at least 80% of your course to complete it. If your course is accredited and you do not attend for 80% of the sessions, you may not be entered for the exam. 

Arriving late is disruptive to the class as a whole, and you will miss important elements of the session including recaps of previous learning, health and safety guidance, and aims and objectives of the session.

Your health and safety

We all have a responsibility for our own health and safety, as well as the safety of those around us that may be affected by what we do. This includes learners, carers, parents, staff and visitors.

To help keep yourself and others safe during your course, you can:

• follow any health and safety guidance given by tutors or other staff 
• report anything at your learning venue that you believe is unsafe to a member of staff straight away
• let your tutor know if there has been an accident or incidents, they will tell you who to report to for health and safety
• make sure you are medically fit to take part if your course involves physical activity or the use of specialist equipment or materials. You may also be asked to complete a health questionnaire before the course starts.

Costs and support

Many of our courses are free or offered at a reduced cost for learners who qualify for a concession.