WEA courses

Practice techniques for creating short stories, true or untrue. We'll apply the principles of short fiction to our writing, with the focus this term on developing character. There will be writing exercises, discussions, an optional weekly homework task and feedback. Guidance on feedback techniques will be provided. The course content has flexibility, and will be adapted to suit the needs of the group. Suitable for improvers.

Would you like to improve your ability to relax to support your own well-being? This course will focus on supporting you to relieve physical tension in your body. Often, stress can cause physical tension in the body, with practice we can learn to ease this tension through relaxation. We will focus on improving body awareness to improve comfort and mindful movements to release tension. You will learn to ease tension through breath awareness and sound release. All sessions will end with a guided relaxation practice. Everyone can improve their ability to relax, why not give it a try?

Welcome to our ‘Improve your Reading Skills’ course. This course is designed for pre-entry ESOL learners to improve their English reading skills. During this course, you will practice reading simple texts like stories, articles, menus, and signs. The course will help you learn new words, understand sentences, and find main ideas. Activities include reading aloud, group discussions, and fun exercises. You will also learn ways to quickly find information in texts. By the end of the course, you will feel more confident reading English and enjoy it more.

For those interested in creative writing as a tool for well being, developing writing skills with increased enjoyment in writing and particular emphasis on writing therapeutically - describing and utilising personal experience

If you are thinking about a career in teaching, this taster course is for you. Teaching assistants are an integral part of the classroom. Not only do they provide vital support for pupils, they support the teaching that takes place. This course is ideal if you would like to know more about becoming a teaching assistant. The role varies widely with some specialising in certain areas such as specific learning needs and other disability support.

Having a child or loved one receive an autism diagnosis can be worrying and unsettling. It’s difficult to know how best to support autistic children’s needs without external guidance. This autism course can teach you how to offer support to help autistic young people live healthy and fulfilling lives. This taster course is ideal for you if you have regular contact with autistic children or teenagers. It is aimed at parents, family members, community workers, or volunteers who interact closely with autistic kids. It can be useful both if you are going through diagnosis, and also if you feel you need extra resources to help support a developing autistic child.

This is a General English/Family Learning Class aimed at elementary (A1/A2) level learners. This course is for those whose first language is NOT English and in it we will practice all four major skills in each session to develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Although this is a low-level English course, learners should be able to recognise sounds of the English letters and read simple lines of text prior to joining so that they will not struggle. Lessons will be delivered face-to-face using a range of teacher led and freer interactive activities to build learners’ proficiency and confidence in the English language.

This exciting and innovative programme of online BSL courses will unlock and introduce you to British Sign Language for use in a variety of everyday situations. You will establish a clear and solid foundation of BSL vocabulary and conversational techniques that will unlock your ability to communicate and converse with other BSL users. Learning BSL is an enriching and rewarding opportunity to not only learn a new language but to foster an understanding of the Deaf community and the importance of access, inclusion and equality for all. Utilising a rich variety of online resources and interactive activities, this programme will equip you with the skills to confidently communicate with other BSL users and bridge the divide between the hearing and the Deaf. It comprises of 3 courses/workshops, that will take place on 11th, 18th and 25th November, with a total fee of £22.20

This short course will take you through a whistlestop tour of places ranging from Victorian Britain to ancient Greece to give a snapshot of just a few of the attitudes to sex, sexuality and gender that have existed across centuries and cultures. We will see how such issues relate to power, politics and religion and how they are affected by social change. You will be able to explore the lives and ideas of queer people in past centuries through diaries, newspaper reports and court records. Throughout the course, we will explore what it means to “queer” history – and how a queer approach to history can affect our attitudes today.

Welcome to the Level 1 Dressmaking course! This course is designed for beginners and improvers and will follow on from our Dressmaking for Improvers course. We will cover the basics of dressmaking. You will learn how to use a sewing machine, take measurements, and follow simple patterns. You will also learn from each other about little tricks you can use in sewing. The course includes practical projects where you will create your own garments. By the end of the course, you will be able to sew basic dresses and make simple alterations. Join us to develop your sewing skills in a supportive and friendly environment!