WEA courses

According to legend, after the death of their native-born and last prince, Llewelyn The Last, Edward I promised the Welsh a prince born in Wales, who could speak no English. Not long after he presented them with his first-born son – the first Prince of Wales. Next, he relentlessly attempted to subdue Scotland, but died before doing so. Meanwhile, Richard II’s reign has been described by Shakespeare as one of England’s worse whilst that of Henry V as one of England’s finest. But should Shakespeare’s portrayals be challenged, or are they closer to the truth than some have suggested? Providing a brief overview of England’s medieval rulers, this course traces how the reigns of six Plantagenets and their wives have helped shaped the country in their struggles with each other, Parliament, France and Scotland.

This empowering course focuses on building confidence, self-awareness, and personal growth through creative and verbal self-expression. Learners will explore different ways to express themselves authentically, whether through speech, writing, art, or movement. By developing communication skills, embracing individuality, and practicing self-reflection, individuals will gain the confidence to navigate personal and professional situations with greater self-assurance.

This Saturday Lecture traces the creation and development of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich through its long and eventful existence. We consider why the Observatory came into existence, what contributions it has made both in terms of scientific knowledge and in the history of our island nation and why it continues to hold a fascination for people. We will explore the advances in navigation, cartography and timekeeping made under the Observatory’s direction and consider some of the great personalities associated with it, John Flamsteed and John Harrison among them. Finally, we will consider the Observatory as it appears in Cultural History and reflect on its current incarnation.

In this talk, we will explore attitudes towards women in the Middle Ages, especially to women as rulers. In the Middle Ages, just one woman – the Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I – inherited a claim to the English throne. Yet, on her father’s death, her cousin, Stephen, seized control of England, so that Matilda was never crowned as queen. For many medieval people, the idea of a woman ruling in her own right was foreign to contemporary minds. We will look at why this was and why queens consort, such as Matilda of Boulogne, King Stephen’s wife, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, King Henry II’s wife, represented more acceptable (if still occasionally controversial) figures of female political power.

Aimed at those who are already writing stories or a longer project. Over 5 hours in one weekend, you’ll set a daily achievable goal, refresh an element of story craft through the tutor’s stimulating exercises and extracts from published texts and write! We’ll immerse ourselves in short and longer writing exercises and get feedback from the tutor and peers when you share in pairs. Imagine the amount of work and momentum you’ll build over these two mornings. Set yourself up for success.

Talking therapies help people overcome anxiety, trauma, bereavement, and many other problems they may be facing in life. If you’re keen to learn how to support people through challenging times, this counselling training is right for you. The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills gives you a solid understanding of theory and practical skills. Learn counselling skills you can apply in everyday life, be it for work or within a personal capacity. Counselling courses teach you fundamental skills employers look for. You’ll understand how to help others in a safe and constructive way. This course is right for you if you work in a role which requires counselling skills, or if you’re working towards accredited Counsellor Status.

The ESOL Skills in Action course is an exciting additional course which engages learners for an addition session. The course is designed to give them the opportunity to build their confidence using their newly learned ESOL skills, by letting them put them into practice in a safe environment. It focuses on giving the learners the opportunity to use their speaking and listening skills to engage with the tutor and their classmates, celebrate their own achievements in completing their previous course and stretch themselves to engage in a class activity. The course should help to build the learner’s confidence so that they feel comfortable enough to use these new ESOL skills in their day to day lives.

The ESOL Skills in Action course is an exciting additional course which engages learners for an addition session. The course is designed to give them the opportunity to build their confidence using their newly learned ESOL skills, by letting them put them into practice in a safe environment. It focuses on giving the learners the opportunity to use their speaking and listening skills to engage with the tutor and their classmates, celebrate their own achievements in completing their previous course and stretch themselves to engage in a class activity. The course should help to build the learner’s confidence so that they feel comfortable enough to use these new ESOL skills in their day to day lives.

The ESOL Skills in Action course is an exciting additional course which engages learners for an addition session. The course is designed to give them the opportunity to build their confidence using their newly learned ESOL skills, by letting them put them into practice in a safe environment. It focuses on giving the learners the opportunity to use their speaking and listening skills to engage with the tutor and their classmates, celebrate their own achievements in completing their previous course and stretch themselves to engage in a class activity. The course should help to build the learner’s confidence so that they feel comfortable enough to use these new ESOL skills in their day to day lives.

This course equips learners with fundamental digital skills to support their education and lifelong learning. Designed for learners at all stages of their digital journey, it builds confidence in using technology for research, communication, and organisation. Key topics may include: • how to navigate devices: using computers, tablets, and smartphones for learning • online research: using search engines effectively and assessing reliable sources • digital communication: setting up and managing email, using educational platforms, and engaging in online discussions • document creation: writing, saving, and sharing documents using word processing tools • online safety: protecting personal information, recognising scams, and practicing responsible digital behaviour • accessing online learning resources: using e-books, videos, and virtual classrooms Through guided practice, where appropriate, and real-life learning tasks, participants will develop and demonstrate their digital confidence and independence. By the end of the course, learners will be able to effectively use technology to enhance their education and continue their personal development.