WEA courses

To create, design and make a range of pottery items using hand building techniques, with earthenware clay and glazes. Build on skills using techniques of pinching, coiling, press moulding, slab construction and tile making. Explore and use different methods of applying surface decoration to enhance the visual qualities of pottery work. Use sketch books to support the development of ideas. Work in a relaxed and supported environment. Create with clay and discover the feeling of wellbeing it can provide. If ceramics is your passion, experience and share the excitement of the pottery process from raw clay to the fired kiln.

The purpose of the course is to support your individual health and wellbeing and to help you gain confidence. You will be given an opportunity to learn new skills and techniques from a range of different types of arts and crafts. For example, painting stones, glass, wood, and dream catchers. You will use a variety of different resources and medias such as wool, fabrics, and jars. You will learn about the development of the different arts and crafts that we enjoy today. You will learn about and gain an insight into how different techniques and skills have evolved in certain crafts.

Take your maths skills to the next level to help you with work or study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical numeracy skills for everyday life. This entry 3 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Functional skills maths courses aren’t like studying maths at school. You’ll learn maths in context. Develop maths skills to face real-life situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This entry 3 functional maths course is right for you if you want to enhance your maths skills to work or study. It can help you learn essential maths skills employers 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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

This course covers essential knowledge for safe driving, including traffic laws, road signs, and driving regulations. Students will learn about defensive driving techniques, understanding road markings, and handling different road conditions. The course includes interactive sessions on hazard perception and mock theory tests to prepare students for the official exam. Practical exercises simulate real-world driving scenarios to enhance comprehension and confidence. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of road safety principles and be well-prepared to pass their driving theory test, ensuring they can drive responsibly and securely on the roads.

ESOL for Beginners is designed to help non-native English speakers develop fundamental language skills. The course covers essential topics such as basic vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Interactive activities, practical exercises, and real-life scenarios provide a supportive environment for learners to practice and improve their English communication skills. The course aims to build confidence and competence in everyday conversations, essential tasks, and cultural understanding. Suitable for individuals with little to no prior knowledge of English, it lays a strong foundation for further language study and integration into English-speaking communities.

On this course we will examine the following novels: The Stranger’s Child - Alan Hollinghurst. Last Orders - Graham Swift. A Pale View of Hills - Kazuo Ishiguro Innocence - Penelope Fitzgerald The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps - Michel Faber. These texts will take us inside contemporary British fiction, and earmark those authors who have contributed to the evolution of a distinctive voice in British fiction in the last fifty years, from the years of Thatcher, New Labour to the present. We will explore each writers’ techniques and themes, and how they address the themes of British identity. Discussions will be lively with plenty of opportunities to voice your opinions.

Have you completed an introductory or a Level 2 helping in schools’ course? Then this introductory course is right for you. It will provide you with the necessary knowledge and study skills needed to prepare you for a Level 3 course. It will also provide you with the opportunity to practice using these study skills as you move through the course. The tutor will guide you through each new skill using quizzes, case studies and related texts. You will get the chance to discuss each new topic with other learners, ask and answer questions. You will also be given a brief outline of what you will learn on your course. Your tutor will give you constructive feedback to ensure you are ready for your Level 3 qualification.

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

This course is designed for pre-entry ESOL learners to introduce basic digital skills. During the course, students will learn fundamental computer skills such as using a keyboard, mouse, and navigating the internet. The course covers basic software applications like word processing and email. Practical exercises and interactive tutorials will help students gain confidence in using digital tools effectively. By the end of the course, students will have developed essential skills for using computers and the internet, empowering them to navigate the digital world with confidence.

Transform your financial habits with "From Skint to Savvy: Improving Your Relationship with Money." This course helps you understand money management basics, develop budgeting skills, and make smarter financial decisions. Effective budget planning can make you feel like you’ve had a pay rise. Organising your personal budget and understanding your outgoings is the first step towards healthy financial well-being. And the good news is - budgeting is a skill anyone can learn. This budgeting course is right for you if you want to improve your financial well-being. Whether you’re trying to cope with the cost of living crisis or just want to plan your finances better, this course can help you.