WEA courses

Welcome to the world of creativity! This beginners' course in arts and crafts is designed to introduce you to various artistic techniques and mediums, providing you with a solid foundation to explore your creativity. Whether you're a complete novice or someone looking to refresh their skills, this course will guide you through the fundamentals of different art forms, encouraging you to express yourself through hands-on projects.

A fun, friendly and structured approach to our develop fiction writing knowledge, skills and importantly aid you in finding inspiration, putting pen paper and getting writing. Whatever you might like to write or already enjoy writing, be it short stories, longer tales, mystery, crime, a touch of the gothic or whatever takes your interest - there will be a plot to suit your idea and/or help you find inspiration and take it further. Find inspiration as we consider the how a different plot may aid with a specific theme or topic, the development of characters and your choice of words and description. This course will make use of a mix of informal feedback, lecture using PowerPoint slides, some focused group discussion/creative tasks in smaller breakout groups and feedback. Session by session we examine a different ‘plot’ and apply some creative craft to it, might it yield the perfect motivation for a crime, is three a secret a character wishes to keep? What kind of story suits a particular plot – flash fiction, a cautionary tale or a longer and more complex tale? We examine the varied forms and approaches, how have others approached similar tales and what might work best for us now. Suitable for the curious beginner and/or the seasoned scribbler.

The course will briefly introduce the principal ideas of a selection of philosophers and apply these to the discussion of the news headlines and the controversies that lie behind them. This course will encourage discussion and sharing of ideas about current affairs and will involve reflecting on how to make philosophy a part of this discussion. Reading material will be provided on Canvas and the tutor will introduce the key ideas of relevant articles. However, reading before class is not essential. The main activity is to share ideas on news stories.

Welcome to the Beginners Creative Writing Course! This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior writing experience. Start with the very basics of creative writing, including understanding different genres, brainstorming ideas, and writing simple sentences. Participate in fun, guided exercises to ignite your creativity and build your writing confidence. Learn how to express your thoughts clearly and creatively. By the end of the course, you'll have written your first short piece and gained the foundational skills to continue exploring creative writing. Join us and discover the joy of writing! This course is running on a Thursday 10am until 11:30am.

This is a practical art course where you will explore a range of art materials to create personal drawings and paintings. Grab your sketch pad, pencils or charcoal and join this friendly art class, where you'll learn basic techniques. You don't have to be an accomplished artist to join this group, this class is for everyone regardless of ability. Your tutor will explain different art techniques and give you the encouragement you need to find your inner artist.

Enhance your artistic abilities with our Art Practical: Painting and Drawing course. Learn fundamental techniques and explore various styles to create expressive and detailed artworks. Ideal for both beginners and intermediate artists looking to refine their skills.

This ten-week course will present and explore classical music from across the breadth of its development, from early music through to classical music being written right now. Over the course of these sessions we will consider how the subject matter, style and context of composers from a range of diverse backgrounds has contributed to the evolution of music, as well as considering other genres for reference. We will examine the background of each composer and the individual pieces that we listen to along with reference to quality critical appraisals and notes on each one. The sessions will combine active listening and audio-visual materials with lively, inclusive and hopefully invigorating discussion. Whether you are just coming into the world of classical music (and other genres) or have been listening to it for some time you will be welcome along to these sessions.

During and after WW2 America left the troubled 1930s behind to become one of two Super Powers and a military and economic behemoth. How did this happen? What compromises were made en route? We will examine the period from 1930 to 1980 with particular emphasis on America’s place in the world. In doing so we will ask to what extent America is an Empire in denial. No previous knowledge is required though the latter decades are ones most of us will have lived through. How do our memories of that period compare with the longer perspective that the passage of time now allows.

Can't afford a massage but know you feel so much better after a treatment? Join me on this friendly self-help course that takes you week by week through how to massage the key areas of the body. You will learn Swedish massage techniques commonly used to support your self-help techniques within your own home. This friendly informative course. Will also cover some of the most popular aromatherapy oils that will support muscle aches and pains, congested tissues, lymph oedema, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder and a range of other health problems. Learn the key ingredients of Swedish massage that you apply to yourself. Each week we will cover a different part of the body, massage mediums, safe working practice and some basic anatomy and physiology. Open to all levels of learning.

Progress your teaching assistant career with a Level 3 teaching assistant qualification. Experience the buzz of working with young people and get a more detailed view into the profession. Learn essential teaching assistant skills and open doors to working in a school with this course. This course prepares you for teaching assistant jobs working in a variety of school settings with children and young people from the age of 5 years old. These can include roles as a playground assistant, learning assistant, teaching assistant, and other related roles. You will need to work in a suitable placement of your choice as part of this course. This Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning is a further step towards a fulfilling support career in a school setting. It is a great course if you already have a Level 2 qualification in supporting teaching and learning or in related subjects.