WEA courses

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Foundations in Working in Early Years, Schools and Colleges gives you an introduction to the key principles and expectations of working in these three different education settings. You’ll explore the unique needs of young children in early years environments, including the importance of play-based learning, warm and nurturing interactions, and creating safe, inclusive spaces where children can grow and thrive. You’ll also learn about the roles, responsibilities, and professional skills needed to support teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. This includes understanding how classrooms work, helping pupils make progress, and working together with teachers to create positive learning experiences. The course also introduces you to the structure and expectations of college settings, where learners are more independent and follow a wider range of academic and vocational pathways. You’ll develop an understanding of how support roles change to meet the needs of older learners and how you can contribute to a successful post 16 learning experience. Throughout the course, you’ll take part in practical discussions and interactive activities that help you build a clear overview of what it’s like to work in each setting. You’ll start to identify which pathway best matches your strengths and interests. This course is ideal if you’re exploring career options, returning to work, or thinking about moving into education. It also provides guidance on your next steps, including further training and possible employment opportunities.

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Foundations in Working in Early Years, Schools and Colleges gives you an introduction to the key principles and expectations of working in these three different education settings. You’ll explore the unique needs of young children in early years environments, including the importance of play-based learning, warm and nurturing interactions, and creating safe, inclusive spaces where children can grow and thrive. You’ll also learn about the roles, responsibilities, and professional skills needed to support teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools. This includes understanding how classrooms work, helping pupils make progress, and working together with teachers to create positive learning experiences. The course also introduces you to the structure and expectations of college settings, where learners are more independent and follow a wider range of academic and vocational pathways. You’ll develop an understanding of how support roles change to meet the needs of older learners and how you can contribute to a successful post 16 learning experience. Throughout the course, you’ll take part in practical discussions and interactive activities that help you build a clear overview of what it’s like to work in each setting. You’ll start to identify which pathway best matches your strengths and interests. This course is ideal if you’re exploring career options, returning to work, or thinking about moving into education. It also provides guidance on your next steps, including further training and possible employment opportunities.

This course is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area. WEA’s Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 2 course supports learners in developing the practical numeracy skills needed for everyday life, work, and further learning. Building on Entry Level 1 skills, the course helps learners gain confidence in using numbers and mathematical skills in familiar situations. You will work with whole numbers up to 200, simple fractions and decimals, measures, time, money, shapes, and basic data. Through everyday contexts such as shopping, travel, cooking, and daily routines, learners develop confidence in solving simple mathematical problems. You will need to complete a BKSB initial assessment to check if the course is suitable. At the end of the course, you will take a final exam to complete the qualification.

This course is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area. WEA’s Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 3 course supports learners in developing the practical numeracy skills needed for everyday life, work, and further learning. Building on Entry Level 1 and 2, this course strengthens confidence in using numbers to solve real-life problems. Learners will work with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, measures, and simple data in familiar contexts such as budgeting, shopping, and interpreting information. Teaching is tailored to individual needs through initial and diagnostic assessments, ensuring learners receive targeted support and clear progression goals. By the end of the course, learners will feel more confident applying maths in everyday situations and ready for the Functional Skills assessment. You will complete a BKSB initial assessment to check if the course is suitable. At the end of the course, you will take a final exam to complete the qualification.

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. This course supports adults returning to education by building confidence, resilience, and essential learning behaviours. Learners will explore growth mindset, time management, independence, health and wellbeing and communication skills. Through interactive activities, reflection, and goal setting, learners will develop self-awareness and readiness for future study. Flexible modular units allow learners to focus on areas most relevant to their needs, creating a personalised pathway to success. Ready to Learn empowers learners to thrive in modern learning environments with confidence and purpose.

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Foundations in the Creative Arts enables you to explore creativity in a relaxed, supportive space. Creative Arts is an umbrella term covering a range of activities and themes such as practical art, drawing and painting, mosaics, sewing and craft, and creative writing. No previous experience is needed, making the set course ideal as a first step back into learning. The course supports health and wellbeing by encouraging relaxation, mindfulness through making, and time to focus on enjoyable creative activities. You will build confidence, reduce stress, and develop a sense of achievement while connecting with others in a positive, social environment. Sessions focus on simple techniques, sharing ideas, and enjoying the creative process rather than perfection. By the end of the course, you will have created a small personal project and have gained inspiration to continue creative activities at home or move on to other community or skills based courses.

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Foundations in the Creative Arts enables you to explore creativity in a relaxed, supportive space. Creative Arts is an umbrella term covering a range of activities and themes such as practical art, drawing and painting, mosaics, sewing and craft, and creative writing. No previous experience is needed, making the set course ideal as a first step back into learning. The course supports health and wellbeing by encouraging relaxation, mindfulness through making, and time to focus on enjoyable creative activities. You will build confidence, reduce stress, and develop a sense of achievement while connecting with others in a positive, social environment. Sessions focus on simple techniques, sharing ideas, and enjoying the creative process rather than perfection. By the end of the course, you will have created a small personal project and have gained inspiration to continue creative activities at home or move on to other community or skills based courses.

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. This course guides you through practical craft activities that support mindfulness and wellbeing. It is ideal if you want to explore creativity in a relaxed and supportive environment. You don’t need any previous experience. You will take part in hands-on activities such as drawing, painting, collage, simple textiles, or working with recycled and natural materials. The focus is on fully engaging in the creative process, helping you to concentrate, relax, and enjoy a sense of achievement. You will also learn how crafting can support mindfulness by encouraging reflection, being present, and expressing yourself. As you work, you will develop skills in patience, creativity, problem solving, and focus—either independently or with others.

This course is funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority and only available to residents living within the East Midlands Combined County Authority area. Get Ready for ESOL is a pre‑entry course for adults who are at the very beginning of their English language journey. This 24‑hour course helps you build the essential skills you need before joining an accredited Entry 1 ESOL qualification. You will learn to take part in short conversations, understand simple spoken information, read everyday words and signs, and write basic words and phrases. You will also develop strategies to ask for repetition or clarification when you do not understand. This course provides a supportive introduction to English and prepares you for further ESOL study.

This course is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area. Build up your writing skills with these ESOL classes. This English course for beginners is aimed at speakers of other languages. It will help you learn writing skills that will support you to work or study in the UK. This ESOL entry 2 writing course builds on skills you learnt at entry 1. Expand your knowledge of grammar and improve your writing skills in English. There are also reading and speaking & listening courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.