WEA courses

Do you want to improve your confidence to sketch outdoors? Have you always been afraid to draw outside in public? This course will give you confidence to sketch outside with tips on how to draw quick sketches of moving people through the foliage, from location in Regents’ Park Rose Garden; there will be sketching and chalk pastel demonstrations, combined with drawing theory, showing ways to use a variety of materials and different styles of drawing from thumb nail sketching to building up a final composition. Come and join us in the Rose Garden in the Inner Circle at Regents Park London with your sketching equipment.

According to legend, after the death of their native-born and last prince, Llewelyn the Last, Edward I promised the Welsh a prince born in Wales, who could speak no English. Not long after he presented them with his first-born son – the first Prince of Wales. Next, he relentlessly attempted to subdue Scotland, but died before doing so. How then did Wales lose its independence and Scotland preserve its? What were the origins of the Hundred Years War with France and who was the real victor? Who murdered Richard II in a northern castle? Shakespeare hints it was Henry IV but should Shakespeare’s portrayals be challenged, or are they closer to the truth than some have suggested? Providing a brief overview of four medieval rulers, this course traces how the reigns of Plantagenets and their wives have helped shaped the country in their struggles with each other, Parliament, France and Scotland.

Build a solid foundation in digital literacy with our Entry Level Essential Digital Skills course. Learn the basics of using a computer, navigating the internet, and understanding essential software applications. Ideal for absolute beginners looking to build confidence in their digital abilities.

This course studies how the architecture of the dynamic Berlin that we see today has been shaped by the events of its troubled history and by the ambitions and styles of its leaders. From 1740 to 1945, Berlin saw a series of aggressive war leaders who sought to make Prussia and then Germany the dominant force in the world, eventually styling Berlin as the capital of the world. Utterly destroyed by 1945, Berlin was reborn as two distinct cities, one rebuilt in Western and the other in Communist styling. Since the Wall fell in 1989, the united city has flourished, embracing grand city plans and modern, hi-tech architecture.

Whether you want to write memoirs, a novel, stories or poetry or for personal development come along and join this friendly day course. We will explore creative writing as therapy and the development of your writing skills, imagination and confidence. We will look at different ways of writing about life experience, memory, incidents and details that illustrate a narrative and how the use of imagination creates many forms of writing, such as stories poem and memoirs.

This coure is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. Study the Artist Communities of Newlyn, and St. Ives, and their Art Societies from their founding in the 20th Century until the creation of Tate St.Ives. We willl look at the work of the founders of the St Ives Artist Communities and identify some of their famous residents such as Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Kit Wood, and Alfred Wallis.

We will walk from Victory Arch, Waterloo station, to the MI6 buildingi in Vauxhall, stopping to consider a variety of places used as film locations and settings. The aim is to share knowledge about the production background and what these locations contribute to the storyline, atmosphere and style of each film. We will consider a range of films including The Bourne Ultimatum, A United Kingdom, Alfie, Trainspotting, and Skyfall.

This micro course is designed for community learners who want to improve their job application success by learning how to tailor their CVs for different roles. In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to each job you apply for, and this course will provide the practical skills to do just that. Throughout the session, learners will explore the key components of a CV, including personal statements, work experience, skills, and qualifications. The course will teach learners how to adapt each section of their CV to match the job description, ensuring they present themselves as the ideal candidate. Learners will also learn about using keywords from job adverts to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and how to format their CVs to make a lasting impression. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to customise their CVs confidently for each job application, improving their chances of securing interviews. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their job application strategy and stand out to potential employers.

This micro course is aimed at individuals who are working to actively strengthen bonds within diverse communities, promoting inclusivity, mutual respect, and collaboration. On completion of the course learners will be awarded the digital badge: Community Unity Builder. This badge celebrates those who create environments where different groups can come together, share ideas, and work toward common goals. Recipients of this badge are committed to fostering understanding and cooperation, and they take practical steps to bridge divides within their community.

The aim of the course is to help you develop your communication skills through practising a variety of speaking, listening, reading and writing activities that will promote your confidence to communicate in English in formal and informal situations.