WEA courses

During this friendly course you will have the opportunity to consider a number of novels that were published in the 1830s as the start of an exploration of literature published through the decades of Victoria’s long reign. In order to get some sense of how literature was beginning to cross borders in this decade, you will look at works by English authors and also a French and an American writer. The following works will be studied: Old Man Goriot (Honoré de Balzac, 1835); The Vicar of Wrexhill (Frances Trollope, 1837); The Pickwick Papers (Charles Dickens, 1837); The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket (Edgar Allan Poe, 1838).

One of the most fascinating aspects of the history of ideas is learning how ideas have a life of their own, influencing society and culture through successive generations in different ways. In this 6-week course we’ll focus on a different important and influential question each week. We cover philosophy, literature, science and history. We’ll read and discuss selected extracts which will be circulated beforehand. The course covers a sweep of over 2000 years, from the ancient Greeks to modern times

Knavery seems to be so much the striking feature of its inhabitants that it may not in the end be an evil that they will become aliens to this kingdom,’ declared King George III of Britain. Britain’s ministers - particularly George III - have often been blamed for the loss of the thirteen American colonies. But how fair is this or was France primarily responsible for American independence? Covering the main causes and most important clashes of the conflict, the course reviews how the war developed, its controversies and the immediate consequences for America, Britain and France

Set yourself up for success with an Entry level 3 functional skills in maths. This get ready course helps you prepare to tackle entry 3 maths with confidence. The essential maths skills you’ll learn will help you get your qualification and serve you in everyday life. Get ready courses help you learn maths at your own pace. The idea of this course is to give you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need for entry level 3 maths. This is a preparatory maths course for people who are looking to progress to entry 3 functional skills courses. It is a non-accredited adult maths course.

Are you preparing for an Entry Level 2 functional skills course in maths? If so, this course can help to prepare you to study. Set yourself up for success studying adult maths with this preparation course. Get ready courses help you learn maths at your own pace. This course gives you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need for Entry Level 2 maths. This is an introductory maths course for people who are looking to progress to Entry Level 2 functional skills courses. It is a non-accredited adult maths course.

The intention of this course is for the you to learn about different worldwide festivals, both cultural and religious, and how food often plays a part in these celebrations. The course is designed to promote confidence and independence in cooking. The theme of the term is festive cooking. During the course you will look at festivals celebrated in the autumn, up to and including Christmas. You will also learn about the celebrations of other cultures, traditions and festivals. As well as preparing food from other cultures and religions, you will learn about the reason behind the festive foods that are prepared and eaten.

This course will teach you plenty of skills on how to mend your clothes beautifully and originally. We will look at the historical art of Sashiko patterns and the Boro mending technique that was used in Japan in the Edo period and also plenty of other Visible mending techniques. There will be plenty of beautiful patterns to choose from and to learn about and to sew yourselves. A grasp of basic hand sewing is needed. We will expand our knowledge on the resources needed throughout the course and learn about the history of this technique. Later on we will also look at other various visible mending techniques and how and why these are used.

Set yourself up for success at learning English with this Getting Ready for Functional Skills Entry level English preparation courses. Get an English qualification to help you access a variety of work and study options. Functional skills courses in English teach you to read, write, and communicate confidently in English. Functional skills English isn’t like learning English at school. This is an English course for adults created by adults. Develop practical English skills by learning language in context.

Build up your basic maths skills to help you progress towards work and study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical skills for everyday life. This entry level functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Understand maths through real-life situations. Functional skills maths entry courses expand your understanding of basic calculations. This can help you learn to manage your personal budget and do other daily tasks. This entry 2 functional maths course is right for you if you want to build on your basic maths skills to work or study. It can help you show employers that you have the essential skills they look for. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

Many people struggle to sleep or to have good quality sleep for a variety of reasons. This can negatively impact our ability to be productive in daily life. Regular mindfulness and meditation practice supports both mind and body to relax, therefore supporting many people’s ability to have a good night’s sleep. This practice-based course will guide you through a range of mindful practices that will help you to unwind during the evening. You will learn to anchor in the moment through attentions to your breathing, sound release, mindful movement, and meditation. Each session will end with a guided Yoga Nidra practice to encourage deep rest and quality sleep.