All A’s for Wirral’s Lifelong Learning Service
A service providing education, training and community learning courses for adult learners in Wirral has received a ‘good’ rating.
Wirral Lifelong Learning Service, inspected by Ofsted in June 2024, helps learners to improve their essential skills, prepare for employment, build confidence and improve their wellbeing.
With more than 1800 residents currently enrolled, the scheme is benefitting people from a variety of backgrounds across the borough through a range of courses.
Cllr Chris Carubia, Vice-Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Wirral Council, said:
The Lifelong Learning Service helps adults with few, low or no qualifications get the skills they need for a job, to volunteer, or to get ready for work.
Most of our learners have not participated in education for a considerable time. They may lack confidence or feel apprehensive about returning to education. We help people to gain skills and believe in their own abilities as they get back into learning.
The Ofsted report highlighted several ways of working that contributed to the overall positive rating. According to Ofsted, these are just some of the things that the Lifelong Learning Service does well:
- Leaders provide courses that directly meet the needs of learners in their community. Most learners first study non-accredited courses as part of community learning. This means they can build their confidence and study skills before they move on to accredited qualifications.
- Leaders ensuring learners benefit from working with employers and community groups. For example, tutors invite guest speakers from energy providers to help learners understand smart meters. On basic digital skills courses, the cyber security officer from the local police force attends lessons to discuss online safety.
- Learners develop their confidence, particularly as tutors tailor course content to meet their needs and interests. On digital skills courses, tutors ask learners about the specific applications or functions on their electronic devices that they need help with.
- Leaders work effectively with several subcontractors across the borough. They use these arrangements to engage the hardest to reach learners in deprived communities.
The inspection evaluated a wide range of learning including online courses, classrooms and in community spaces, all of which are designed to meet the needs of residents.
Cllr Carubia said:
It’s so gratifying to see Ofsted recognise the service that we are providing to adult learners who, according to the report, find our courses accessible, highly practical and relevant.
Many learners are enrolled on community courses, which aim to improve essential skills and wellbeing, prepare for employment and build confidence. The service also offers accredited courses including English, maths, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and digital skills.
Recently, some of the service’s ESOL learners were recognised as part of a Celebration Test and Learn project from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The project asked learners to submit films, crafts, photography, stories and more on the theme of ‘My Home My Culture’.
The exhibition and results were celebrated at an event at Birkenhead Town Hall last month. Boush Khadir from Sudan, Ozge Coban from Turkey and Maria Cedeno from Chile were awarded top three and presented with prizes by the Mayor Cherry Povall.
To read Ofsted’s full report click here.
Boush Khadir’s work is on display at the Oakland Gallery on Victoria Road in New Brighton for a limited time period. His paintings represent his journey from Sudan to New Brighton.
If you're interested in enrolling or want to learn more visit: Adult learning in Wirral | wirral.gov.uk.
You must be aged 19 or over to enrol.
