Learning with a community focus
Over half of the WEA’s courses are developed to meet the needs and interests of particular groups of people. In partnership with local community organisations we aim to provide positive learning opportunities for adults with little previous educational background, or those with a disappointing experience of formal education. Across the country we work with hundreds of community, voluntary and statutory organisations, providing over 5,000 courses annually. We take education to where people live and work and to places where they feel comfortable learning. Our courses are run in some of the most disadvantaged urban and rural communities, in local venues such as community centres, schools and health centres. The choice of subject and method of learning are often negotiated and agreed between tutor and students at the outset of a course. Popular subjects include arts and crafts, family learning, health and personal development, literacy and numeracy and information technology.

Workplace learning
Workplace learning students come to the WEA through their place of work and through our partnerships with trade unions and employers. We focus on workers in the public and private sectors who have experienced little or no formal learning since leaving school. A wide range of learning opportunities, from Skills for Life, including adult literacy and numeracy in the workplace, to higher education Access courses, are provided for adults who want to return to learning and further their personal and occupational development. Working in collaboration with UNISON we promote lifelong learning in the NHS and local government services. We also work in partnership with other trade unions to deliver workplace learning across a number of industries. Working with the TUC the WEA trade union studies tutors deliver the union representative programme, including the TUC access programme.

Support for learning
The WEA provides a range of support for students who need financial help, or who have disabilities or learning difficulties. WEA tutors, branches and regions can all provide more information on this. Contact details for your local WEA region can be found on the 'WEA Regions' page of this website. We can also make suggestions about progression to further learning and refer students to other providers and agencies where necessary.

Learner Survey
A survey of WEA learners in 2006 found that they enjoyed their courses greatly, with many mentioning benefits to their social confidence and health in addition to increased enthusiasm for the course subject. Click here for further details...