WEA courses

Whether you are a seasoned drummer or just wanting to get started, this practical class in African drumming will inspire you with music and culture. We will be using the Djembe Drums which are a percussion instrument originating from West Africa. Drums will be provided for your use during the class. Our experienced tutor will guide you to play the Djembe drum as part of a group of friendly, like-minded people. You will learn to use the primary notes, referred to as ‘bass,’ ‘tone’ and ‘slap’ to create different sounds. No experience needed, just the willingness to have a go and enjoy the music.

Course Outline Come and join our enthusiastic tutor and a group of likeminded crafters as we immerse ourselves in the rewarding world of festive card making. If you’ve made Christmas cards previously you will know that it is never too early to start! Craft in general is known to have a positive effect on the mental health of those that do it, and card-making is fun, productive and very rewarding: you create lovely, personalised cards to delight the special people in your life. We will cover all aspects of card making from cutting the bases to adding the final elements of bling. We will try various fun folds, different techniques and a range of materials to create our stunning cards. This course is suitable for those with some experience of card making and a well-stocked craft room. Come and join us and build on your existing craft skills and add some new ones to your crafting library!

Would you like to explore new art forms? Digital art offers a range of exciting possibilities for modern artists. Whether you prefer to appreciate or make art, this digital art course has something to offer you. This short course lets you dip your toe into digital art exploration. Discover basic techniques and develop essential digital skills to start creating your own digital creations. This course can help you decide if you want to delve deeper into the world of digital art.

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.

Discover the art of precision and creativity in our Sewing for Business Course. Dive into the fundamentals of machine sewing, mastering essential techniques and garment construction. From threading the needle to embellishing, you'll gain hands-on experience and the confidence to bring your design ideas to life. In parallel, embark on a beginner business journey, learning the basics of entrepreneurship for a sewing venture. Explore market trends, pricing strategies, and customer engagement to turn your passion into a profitable enterprise. Join us for a transformative learning experience that blends craftsmanship with entrepreneurial acumen, equipping you for success in the world of sewing and business.

Combine your craft skills with key work skills in this textiles course. If you’re a whizz with threads, yarns, and fabrics, why not consider ways to earn a living from your creative skills? This is the perfect course to study if you enjoy handicrafts and would like to learn employability skills to help you get a job in craft-making. This textile crafts course has a business element to help you understand work options in this area. Textile design courses are also great if you’re returning to education after a long break, or want to develop a hobby.

Prepare for a rewarding career in education with our Getting Ready for Working in Schools course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to support teachers and students in the classroom. Ideal for individuals considering a career in education.

Are you interested in working in a support role in schools? This 8 session course covers a range of topics from the core subjects of English, maths and science to how children learn through play. We also consider the importance of positive behaviour in the classroom and look at safeguarding in education. In the final couple of sessions, we focus on how to enhance your CV and the school application and interview process.

This course will explore the following texts: Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad; Short Stories by Kipling; The Siege of Krishnapur - JG Farrell; The Jewel in the Crown - Paul Scott, and The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje. The course will track the decline of Empire and the concomitant social and political uncertainty, the relationship between the colonial and the colonised Other, and develop themes relating to identity and the subjective nature of historical revision. There will be ample scope for discussion of at times difficult and controversial debates, and we will focus on the continuing relationship that exists between contemporary writers and later writers vis-a-vis issues of guilt and responsibility.

Join us at Community Roots in Porthtowan, Cornwall for this accredited course in Permaculture Design. Delivered by our experienced Permaculture tutor this course will introduce to the key concepts of Permaculture design whilst undertaking practical design tasks with our partner Community Roots who run a community supported agriculture project on the scenic North cliffs in Cornwall. This bespoke course has been created with Community Roots to meet the needs of people who are wanting to introduce permaculture principles either at home , community or commercial setting.