Adult Learning Spring 2011 - FINAL...Our accredited courses this year carry full fee remission for...

Adult LearningCourse Guide

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning

2011 - 2012

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Learning is a lifelong experience and Oxfordshire Adult Learning is here to help you develop existing

skills, to discover new talents, as well as providing motivation and encouragement to achieve your goals.

Browse through our brochure to get a flavour of the extensive range of courses we offer. Whether you want to discover a new hobby, improve your writing or maths skills, gain a qualification, learn as a family or develop job-seeking skills, it is all here waiting to be discovered.

Visit our website – www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning – or call our staff on 0845 351 0646 for more information and advice on the right opportunity for you.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Equality & Diversity

Oxfordshire Adult Learning’s services are available to all people regardless of race, disability, gender or gender reassignment, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity. We aim to fulfil all our duties under the Equality Act; eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between all those who access our service.

If you feel that in your case we have not achieved this aim, please contact:

Equality & Diversity Manager

Oxfordshire Adult Learning

Oxfordshire County Council

Unipart House

Garsington Road

Oxford, OX4 2GQ

Welcome

For more information or to enrol please visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning or call 0845 351 0646

Courses by subject

Adults with Learning Disabilities.............................................................................................................. 4

Improving Skills Makes Sense.................................................................................................................... 6

Family Learning............................................................................................................................................... 8

Learning for Work........................................................................................................................................... 10

Help with job applications, advice and guidance............................................................................... 13

Leisure Learning

Computing......................................................................................................................................... 14

Cookery............................................................................................................................................... 15

Creative and Home Crafts............................................................................................................. 16

Drawing and Painting.................................................................................................................... 18

Languages and Communication................................................................................................ 20

Music.................................................................................................................................................... 22

Photography...................................................................................................................................... 23

Sports, Fitness and Exercise......................................................................................................... 24

Therapies and Beauty..................................................................................................................... 26

Foundation Learning Programmes (16 - 18-year-olds)...................................................................... 28

Courses by location and term dates........................................................................................... 30

Enrolling, booking, terms and fees.............................................................................................. 34

3ENROL EARLY - Courses are closed two weeks before their start date if numbers are too low

Contents


Adults With Learning Disabilities

Take on a new learning challenge and make a difference to your life.

Oxfordshire Adult Learning is proud to launch a broad range of courses, projects and workshops for people with all levels of learning disabilities, starting in July and spanning the year.

You may want to learn a new skill, develop existing ones or meet people who share your interest. We offer a wide and varied choice, including art and craft, cookery and life skills, in a safe and friendly environment.

Many of our learners tell us how much their confidence and skills have improved as a result of joining an adult learning class. It is a great opportunity to meet people and share the fun and pleasure of learning.

Our accredited courses this year carry full fee remission for those on certain benefits and a great number of our workshops carry little or no fee.

To discuss your place on the course of your choice, contact Paula or Toni on our direct number for programmes for adults with learning disabilities – 01865 779584.

You can be sure of a warm welcome.

I have done many courses, workshops and projects with AL. The opportunities are brilliant and being involved with some of the workshops was awesome. The last project was around creating a model of a full size mini for a big exhibition at the Town Hall in Oxford.

I had never done anything like this before in my life! The group worked towards an ASDAN certificate and even got an outstanding award. We are all very proud of ourselves.

I have learnt many new skills like adding up and measuring things and taking photos with a professional and I have done much better than I ever thought I could.

One very important skill I have gained is working in a team which I feel is very important and I have made lots of new friends and have had lots of fun and laughs. The tutors made me feel safe and valued and helped us to achieve things we are proud of and didn’t know we could do. I would definitely 100% recommend AL courses to my friends and others. People don’t know what they are missing out on! David

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A learner’s story

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Partner organisations

We work with many partner organisations to broaden the range of courses and workshops we offer. Here are just a few:

The Cookery Club runs courses for adults with learning disabilities in Eynsham. For further information and to enrol, please call Liz Jones on 01608 810817

Gas Arts Club runs courses for adults with learning disabilities in Carterton. For further information and to enrol, please call Gill Jenkins on 01993 779184

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For more information and specific course details including venue, date, time and course level, please visit


The Mill in Banbury runs a good variety of courses and workshops for adults with learning disabilities. For more information or to enrol contact The Mill direct on 01295 279002 or go to the website www.themillartscentre.co.uk.

� A Traveller’s Journey� All About Art & Craft� Ancient Egypt (w)� Animal Care (w)� Art at Oxford Castle (w)� Autumn Aromatherapy� Autumn Cookery� Autumn Soccer Skills (w)� Autumn Waterways (w)� Cooking Around the World (w)� Dinosaurs (w)� Felt Making (w)� Fire Service - Practical Safety

(w)� Fire Station Visit (w)� Flower Power! - Fabric Painting

(w)

� Gargoyles (w)� Green Fingers! (w)� Hot Art (w)� It’s Green, It’s Fun� Magnificent Masks (w)� Massage Techniques for

Enjoyment & Relaxation (w)� Mosaic (w)� Natural Christmas (w)� Oxford’s Secrets - Historical

Oxford (w)� Paper Making (w)� Scrumptious Seeds (w)� Shadow Puppets (w)� Small Worlds - Microscopes

and Magnifiers (w)� Spectacular Skeletons (w)

� Spring Aromatherapy� Spring Cookery� Spring Soccer Skills (w)� Summer Aromatherapy� Summer Cookery� Summer Soccer Skills (w)� Summer Waterways (w)� Terrific Treasures (w)� Textiles and Weaving (w)� The Art of Conversation and

Team Building� The Ultimate Olympics - Man v

Beast - Project� Winter Animals (w)� World Music (w)

Available courses

(w) = workshop


Improving Skills Makes Sense

Join us to improve your Maths and English!

Skills for Life - Our Maths and English courses are ideal for people who want to achieve a qualification quickly through brushing up their skills, and for those who would like to spend a little longer on their learning. You can benefit by:

� Gaining a qualification� Finding or getting on in work� Helping children or grandchildren with schoolwork� Building personal confidence� Progressing on to training or further study.

We offer free, friendly classes with lots of support where you can learn at your own pace at a convenient local venue. Our staff are very experienced in working with adults and understand the demands and opportunities facing them.

GCSE English & Maths - On our intensive courses you will study a wide range of topics quickly, and you must complete homework each week. All applicants will be assessed before being offered a definite place.

GCSE courses start the week commencing 12 September, run for 30 weeks and cost £232.50 (but concessions are available).

We also offer free, short courses for brushing up on basics and preparing for GCSE studies through a City & Guilds certificate.

ESOL - For English language learners we offer community English classes in Oxford, Bicester, Banbury and Didcot. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses will help you to live and work in England and to learn about Citizenship.

To find out more, contact us on 0845 351 0646. We will find the right class for you.

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� Entry Level Maths� Level 1 Maths� Level 2 Maths� Entry Level Literacy� Level 1 Literacy

� Level 2 Literacy� Pre-Entry ESOL� Entry Level ESOL� Level 1 ESOL� Pre GCSE English

� GCSE English� Pre GCSE Maths� GCSE Maths Foundation

& Higher Tier

Available courses

I would encourage anyone wanting to improve their skills to book on a course. I studied both English and Maths with Oxfordshire Adult Learning, and now I’m doing a degree. I made friends, and the tutors were really helpful. Now, as well as helping my children with their homework, we study together!

tO

I improved my English by doing English Classes. I work as a caretaker, so it has helped me with my work, and daily life in England. Classes were small, and very friendly.c

Learners’ comments

Get Involved with Adult Learning - Help someone to read and write

Would you like to volunteer helping adults who want to improve their reading, writing and maths skills? Volunteers are making a real difference to learners on our English and Maths programmes.

You can volunteer in a group with an experienced tutor and gain valuable experience in working with adult learners. We also offer volunteering opportunities on our English language (ESOL) courses.

To find out more please call 0845 351 0646




Family Learning

Parents, carers and children – everyone is welcome at Family Learning events and courses! We offer a

fun and supportive environment in which to share learning together, and the following are just some

of the courses on offer:

� Getting Ready For School – prepare your child for starting school.

� Keeping up with the Children – find out how children are taught numeracy and/or literacy in school, and brush up your own skills at the same time, from long division to spelling.

� Transition workshops – meet and have fun learning with your child and other Year 6 children and families who will be going to the same secondary school.

� Story Sacks – find out how to make and use a story sack to encourage reluctant readers.

� Family English, Maths, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) - brush up on your literacy and/or numeracy skills, and get a qualification too, from Beginners to Level 2 (the equivalent of GCSE pass at grade C).

� Family Finances and Budgeting – to help you and your family to make the most of your money.

� Early Years Courses – find out the best way to help your child develop and learn through play.

From workshops to longer courses with qualifications, Family Learning offers parents and carers a range of learning opportunities throughout the year all over Oxfordshire in schools, Children’s Centres, nurseries and libraries. All of these are free, offer free crèche places, and are individually designed to meet the needs of families, to support children of all ages, and to encourage a lifelong love of learning. Most importantly, the emphasis is always on families having fun through learning.

If you are interested in finding out more about Family Learning, give the team a call on 01865 815820 or

drop us an email on: [email protected].



Some lovely friendships were formed.

It was so great to meet new people and make friends. I can’t wait to start at secondary school!

It’s made a real difference to my confidence.

I now feel able to help my son with his homework.

My son’s reading has got so much better that he has moved up a whole level since I did my Family Learning course.


Adult Learning with Science Oxford Live is launching….

Science ABCFor everyone who has never studied science, or who has forgotten what they ever knew! Easily digested, fun and fascinating, Science Oxford Live will help you get the hang of the trickiest topics in modern science.

For more information contact Science Oxford Live on 01865 810000 or

email [email protected]


Learning for Work

Adult Learning offers a range of opportunities to suit both individuals and employers, from support

for individuals seeking employment through to gaining qualifications in work-related skills.

Is this you?

� I need advice and guidance about training or work� I need help with skills to apply for work� I need to gain qualifications to build a better CV� I think I would like to work in a particular area but am not sure what it is I want to do� I want to gain vocational qualifications to prepare for work or whilst I am at work.

Are you an employer looking for training for your workforce? We can offer:

� Information on recruiting and training apprentices� Work-related vocational qualifications � Short and bespoke training activities to enhance the skills of your workforce� Support for employees with specific needs� Training for managers.

Our experienced team of advisers and trainers will be able to support you in making the right choices. For more information about any of the options in this section, please contact our Workforce Development Team on 07770 585698 or email [email protected].

Vocational qualifications

From First Steps courses to progression onto vocational qualifications

All adults have a right to fulfil their potential. Our First Steps programme engages and supports adults to ensure they receive a mix of skills that is right for them. Our ‘Entry to…’ courses (see page 11) give individuals the opportunity to access a ‘new start’ in their learning, giving them confidence and motivation to improve their skills to help secure possible future employment and prepare for further study to gain qualifications. These can be free, subject to eligibility or at a greatly reduced fee.


Qualification pathways by subject area:

Entry to Working in Childcare

CACHE Level 1 Award in an Introduction to an Early Years Settings (QCF) CACHE Level 2 Certificate for the Children & Young People’s Workforce (QCF)CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People’s Workforce (QCF)

Entry to Customer Service

NVQ Customer Service Level 2 NVQ Customer Service Level 3

Entry to IT

Level 1 Award for IT Users Level 2 Certificate for IT usersLevel 3 Diploma for IT Users

Entry to Working as a Teaching Assistant

Entry to Business and Administration

NVQ Business and Administration Level 2NVQ Business and Administration Level 3

Apprenticeships

Employers can boost their workforce by giving a young person the chance to ‘earn and learn’ through our apprenticeship programme. We can support you with their recruitment, training and mentoring. We are experienced in providing quality assessment of Certificates and Diplomas in:

� Business Administration � Childcare � Cleaning � Customer Service � IT.

Adult apprenticeships are also available in Business Administration, Customer Service and IT.

Jackie was keen to get back to work after having a career break looking after her child. She wanted to do a course that would fit in with her childcare commitments, so she enrolled on Entry to Childcare to see if this was a career path which might suit her. This course gave her the confidence and motivation to go on to a recognised vocational qualification. Jackie found a voluntary placement at a local Pre-School to enable her to provide the evidence for an NVQ Level 2 in Childcare. This led to paid employment. Jackie explained, “Without my tutor’s support and encouragement I would not have made the progress I did. She also gave me the confidence to go on to gain my NVQ Level 2 and 3. From the Entry course through to doing my NVQ Level 3 the whole process was seamless.”

A learner’s story


Meeting the training needs of employers

We have developed bespoke training courses in Communications, Time Management, Writing for Business, Coaching, Brush-up IT, and Brush-up Maths and English.

Additionally, we have successfully developed and delivered active learning workshops to many teams and individuals, addressing some of the key issues facing all businesses in these challenging times. For managers and staff alike we can deliver well-tested and evaluated workshop learning in half-day or full-day sessions at competitive prices.

We currently offer:

� Talking to Customers� Presentation Skills� Time Management� Brush up on your English or Maths� Writing for Business � Communications � Coaching Skills in the Workplace� Assertiveness – Finding your Voice in the Workplace� Managing People – First, Know Yourself; then, Know Your Team (for managers only)� Job Application and Interview Skills for those involved in restructures.

Please contact our workforce team to arrange a discussion about your workforce training needs on 07770 585698 or email [email protected].

Dyslexia support

Begin the journey with us to support your staff and improve performance. We offer free business-needs meetings with a dyslexia specialist, followed up by a written proposal for fully costed training options.

This could include our Dyslexia Awareness Workshop for Supervisors, which is designed for your organisation’s unique needs. It will help you to:

� Understand dyslexia� Know how to use screening tools� Appreciate the outcomes of not dealing with dyslexia� Aupport employees� Use a multi-sensory approach to communicating information� Recognise your responsibilities as an employer under disability discrimination legislation.

We can also offer assessment, support and advice, which covers confidential employee assessment, one-to-one support to deliver strategies for assessed employees, guidance for managers/supervisors, software to support dyslexic employees and readability documentation.

For more information contact Michael White by email on [email protected], or call him on 01865 343193.


Tutor Training

Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector is a City & Guilds introductory qualification for people who wish to become tutors within a learning organisation for adults. The course will provide you with some essential practical teaching skills and can be pre-service or in-service. Admission is by an application/initial assessment process. For further information or for an application form, please contact us on 0845 351 0646.

Help with job applications, advice and guidance

Adult Learning’s Information Advice and Guidance Advisers can help you get on in work and life. Our advisers are professionally qualified and give free and impartial individual advice to help you make the right choices about learning and work.

We can help you:

� Find learning and training that is right for you� Understand the local job market � Find out about funding to support your learning � Develop your CV � Improve your interview and presentation skills� Progress in your current job� Register with My Next Step website.

We also offer the following needs-tailored courses countywide to help you with different, specific stages in your job-finding process. These can be free, subject to eligibility:

� CV writing� Job application/supporting statement� Interview techniques� Job-search skills course.

For more information call 07770 585698 or email [email protected].




Do you want to get to grips with your computer? Perhaps you want to save money by using the

Internet to pay bills or do the shopping? Or maybe you want to communicate with friends across the

globe using email?

By joining one of our many and varied computer classes in a centre near you, you can learn to do these things. Our courses are for absolute beginners and for those who want to develop their skills. Our classes are taught in groups of no more than 12 learners and we also offer some courses where, if you pay a little extra, you can learn in a smaller class of six.

We also offer workshops in web design, using spreadsheets and computing for small businesses.

Additionally, we run courses on laptops in rural areas where we do not have a computer suite available.

If you are interested in gaining a qualification in computing, please refer to the Learning for Work section on page 11.

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Computing

� Computing for New Businesses� Getting to Know the Digital

Camera� Introduction to Computing

� Introduction to Photoshop Elements

� Introduction to Using Apple Mac Computers

� Introduction to Web Design� More Computing� Photoshop� Spreadsheets

Available courses



I never thought it was possible for me to have learnt what you have achieved with me and the computer! I have enjoyed the classes immensely.

A learner’s comment


Eating in is the new eating out! Whether you are a beginner or improver, want to master traditional

recipes or something a little more exotic or challenging, there is something on offer for you.

As well as following a recipe with good results, you can also:� Experiment with a range of different food preparation and cooking methods, including boiling,

steaming, casseroling and baking � Improve your understanding of ingredients and their nutritional values� Come home to traditional cookery: try your hand at bread or pastry making – when you cook it yourself

you know what goes in it� Ditch the takeaways and discover the real flavour of popular, traditional dishes from other countries

when prepared using fresh ingredients� Best of all, wow your family and friends with your newfound skills.

All courses are offered at a beginner’s level and short improvers courses are available for you to expand on your skills.

Why not try your hand at cake decorating too? Whether you want a formal wedding cake, a novelty celebration cake or fun cup cakes, there is a course or workshop for you.

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Cookery

� Bake Your Own Bread The Traditional Way

� Cake Decorating� Cookery - Back To Basics

� Cupcake Decorating� Indian Vegetarian Cookery� Malaysian Cookery� Pakistani Cookery

� Perfect Your Pastry Making Skills

� Sugar Flowers

Available courses

I have enjoyed spending time learning and developing a hobby. I have also enjoyed meeting fellow enthusiastic people! I have learnt new techniques and am feeling more capable. The tutor has been amazing at providing advice and guidance.



Creative and Home Crafts

Develop your creativity with our creative crafts courses. Our tutors inspire both beginners and

improvers to learn new skills and create imaginative pieces, using materials such as clay, silver, copper,

knitting yarn and lino. Jewellery, floral art, ceramics and stained glass are still firm favourites, and

many of our learners are amazed at what they can achieve.

Sewing is fashionable again, promoted by television celebrities and the growth in retro-chic and high-street stores. In response to demand we are offering a whole spectrum of courses, from beginners wanting to know how to sew, to dressmaking and revamping old garments. We also offer classes on recycling fabrics, and traditional crafts such as patchwork, quilting and embroidery.

You can also learn valuable household skills such as plumbing and picture framing. Why pay someone to do this when you can save money by doing it yourself?

Learn traditional and contemporary processes through courses of varying lengths, including one-day workshops, which are priced according to topic and the cost of providing tools and specialist materials.

An information sheet is available for each course so please visit our website for a comprehensive description and guide.

I’ve always wanted to make my own clothes so I joined the Dressmaking for Beginners course. The tutor was great and knew her stuff. I felt really proud of what I’d achieved.





The Mill in Banbury runs a diverse assortment of adult classes including arts, crafts, music and dance. For more information or to enrol contact The Mill direct on 01295 279002 or go to the website www.themillartscentre.co.uk.

� Beads & Wire� Botanical Illustration� Calligraphy� Ceramics� Christmas Stockings with

a Touch of Glamour� Contemporary,

Sophisticated Or Not: Embellished Appliqué

� Copper Foil� Creative Embroidery� Creative Textile and

Garment Recycling� Curtain Making� Developing Ceramics� Dressmaking� Embroidery for

Backgrounds� Fabric Dyeing� Fabric Mark Making� Face Painting� Family Pottery� Floristry� Flower Arranging

� Flowers for Autumn� Flowers for Christmas� Flowers for Everyone� Flowers for Spring� Flowers for Summer� Foiling on Fabric� Free Motion Machine

Embroidery� Furniture Restoration� Gargoyle Sculpting with

Mod-Roc� Home Sewing� How to use a Sewing

Machine� Interior Design� Jewellery with Beads &

Wire� Jewellery with Precious

Metal Clay� Jewellery with Silver� Knitting� Know Your Environment� Leading� Learn to Sew

� Make a Creative Scarf� Make a Skirt in a Weekend� Make a Top in a Weekend� Make It How You Want It� Mosaics Workshop� Patchwork & Quilting� Picture Framing� Plumbing� Remade Reworn� Restyle to Current Trends� Roman Blind Making� Sew to Fit� Silver Rings� Simple Lino Printing for

Christmas Cards� Simple Sewing Crafts� Stained Glass� Story Sacks� Summer Flowers� The Budding Flower

Arranger� Tote Bags & Other Project� Upholstery

Available courses



Drawing and Painting

Our tutors are a group of professional artists who offer an interesting variety of approaches, styles

and techniques when teaching. As a result, each class is a unique experience; one beginners painting

class will be very different to the next – you might enjoy the different approaches and book onto more

than one.

Courses are offered throughout the county both in our centres, and at inspiring venues such as the Ashmolean Museum, and if the weather is good, outdoors using beautiful Oxfordshire as a backdrop.

You will find all combinations of drawing and painting classes to suit your particular interest, from ‘Just Drawing’ to painting in oils, acrylic and watercolour and illustration work offered at all levels to suit different abilities.

The general drawing and painting courses cover a wide variety of media use, style and content, often linked to a tutor’s professional art practice.

� Acrylic Painting� Botanical Illustration� Children’s Picture Book

Illustration� Drawing� Drawing & Painting� Drawing & Watercolour� Drawing from Scratch

� Drawing in the Ashmolean Museum

� Drawing On...� Just Drawing� Landscapes/Seascapes� Life Drawing� Life Painting� Mixed Media

� Oil Painting� Painting Techniques of the

Old Masters� Portrait Drawing� Watercolour� Watercolour Landscapes� Watersoluble Drawing &

Painting

Available courses





I have always enjoyed drawing but never found the time to realise my potential. By coming to classes I learned how to develop my own style in a friendly and creative atmosphere.d


Partner organisation



New for 2011/12 – Adult Learning is developing an exciting ‘Get into

Coaching’ Foundation Course, in partnership with Oxfordshire Sports

Partnership and Fusion Lifestyle.

Do you play sport? Interested in Coaching? Given up playing but want to get involved?

The first courses will be starting in Oxford City from September 2011. The Foundation Course will be delivered by the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership Team over a minimum of 10 learning hours and will introduce you to:

� Health & Safety � Equality & Diversity� Safeguarding and Protecting Children (certificated) � The role of a coach� Communication Skills � Planning a session� Delivering a session � What next?

The courses are:

� Very practical, hands on and designed to ensure you have fun

� Designed to introduce you to the skills to support achieving a Level 1 qualification (that can help you decide whether working or volunteering as a sports coach is for you)

� Designed to highlight other areas of the sports and leisure industry you could work in if coaching is not right for you at the moment.

For the Foundation stage it doesn’t matter which sport you are interested in. The tutors all have a broad experience of working in Sports and Physical Activity

To register your interest in a course please email [email protected] or telephone0845 351 0646.


Languages and Communication

Our five-week Introduction courses are designed for complete beginners, as a taste of the language

before investing further. You will learn how to introduce yourself and order a snack, a drink and other

basics.

Once you have completed the Introduction course, or if you already have the basics, why not join a Post-beginners and subsequent continuation courses to enhance your skills? If you have studied the language at school, or feel that you want to brush up your skills, you could join our Rusty Beginners course, or the most appropriate higher-level course for you.

Due to popular demand, you can now continue to enjoy your studies in smaller groups at a slightly higher cost. Perhaps you just want to learn enough to get by on your holiday abroad? Have a look at our five-week Holiday or one-day Get by courses advertised for the New Year!

Year 1 Rusty Beginners A10 Weeks

Rusty Beginners B10 Weeks

Rusty Beginners C10 Weeks

Year 2 Improvers A10 Weeks

Improvers B10 weeks

Improvers C10 weeks

Year 3 Intermediate A10 weeks

Intermediate B10 weeks

Intermediate C10 weeks

Year 4 Higher Intermediate A10 weeks

Higher Intermediate B10 weeks

Higher Intermediate C10 weeks

Year 5 Advanced10 weeks

Advanced10 weeks

Advanced10 weeks

Year 1 Introduction 5 weeks

Post Beginners 10 weeks

Post Beginners contd.10 weeks

PB Extension5 weeks

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term


� Arabic� British Sign Language� Chinese (Mandarin)� French� German

� Hungarian� Italian� Japanese� Lipreading� Polish

� Portuguese� Russian� Spanish� Turkish



Available courses

I really enjoy coming here!

I feel much more confident now. I notice that words come to me much more quickly than they did before.

I feel that I am making more progress than expected.

I love my French class because I have a lot of fun.

It has been interesting and challenging and there is a friendly class atmosphere.


Communication for hearing impairment

Oxfordshire Adult Learning also offers British Sign Language at Level 1. This is a comprehensive and accredited course for the absolute beginner and covers all three of the Signature (formerly known as CACDP) Stage 1 units. There is also provision for lipreading, which is available for those with acquired hearing loss. No previous experience is required, and both beginners and improvers are welcome. The full curriculum is covered in three terms but you can join at any time.

These are some of the comments from our learners, and they show that language learning with Oxfordshire Adult Learning is fun, sociable and quickly very rewarding. We offer courses countywide and particular emphasis is placed on speaking and listening in a friendly and encouraging environment.


Music

Learning to play a musical instrument like the guitar or singing as part of a group is not only fun and

interesting but is also a good way to meet like-minded individuals who share the same interests. We

have a wide range of courses on offer so you should find something that whets your appetite.

Our small group courses, with a maximum of five people, allows a more concentrated learning experience and, like all other classes, are offered at a range of levels to appeal to different abilities. All of our tutors are professional musicians and can be seen playing gigs and teaching music across the county.

Full course content and instrument requirements are given on our website.

Your voice is an instrument too. Why not join one of our workshops to discover your singing voice and find how enjoyable and relaxing it is to sing with others? You do not have to be brilliant, just willing to give it a go.

� Guitar - Classical,Metal Rock & Blues

� Setting Up Your Guitar for the Best Possible Sound

� Sing - Everyone Can!� Singing: Find Your Voice

Available courses


The County Music Service offers adults the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument (such as clarinet, flute, guitar and saxophone) and to play in instrument-specific groups through the Oxfordshire Adult Ensemble. For more information please contact the Music Service on 01865 740000 or [email protected].

I’ve promised myself for years that I would learn an instrument, and this course gave me a great opportunity to do this in a small, friendly group.




Have you ever wondered what all those settings and dials on your camera mean?

Our tutors will give you a full understanding of your digital or manual camera and show you how to compose the perfect picture. Whether you are a complete beginner or a dedicated enthusiast, you will be able to gain new skills which will enable you to take better photographs.

Once you have taken your digital images you can then learn how to manipulate them using Photoshop computer software to produce the sharpest prints.

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Photography

� Digital Photography� Digital SLR

� Photography� Studio Photography

� Wedding Photography

Available courses

Whether you are looking for a new career, entry to further/higher education, or you just want to develop your creative skills, OFVM Film Oxford can help. We offer affordable bite-sized training in filmmaking, digital video production, screenwriting, photography, creative software, VJing and digital media. OFVM uses latest digital technologies and software. Full details and booking visit www.ofvm.org, call 01865 792731, or email [email protected].




I was given a camera for Christmas and never knew what half the functions and buttons were for. Now I do and really enjoy using my camera!



Sports, Fitness and Exercise

Why Wii Fit at home alone when you can get fit and have fun in a more sociable setting in one of our

many classes across the county?

Choosing any type of exercise is often a matter of personal choice and knowing what end benefits you want to achieve. Everyone understands the role that regular exercise can play in keeping us fit and in ‘good shape’.

We offer a variety of courses that will tempt you to get fit or to try something new to keep toned. There are courses for those who:

� Are beginners or improvers� Are over 50� Like to work out to music, including the popular Zumba classes � Like to get fit doing circuits� Prefer to concentrate on toning and conditioning.

Sports

There are sports courses too, such as swimming, badminton and archery, offering a variety of different levels. With our partner organisations, we are constantly developing our programme in this area, so visit our website for details of current courses and news of any further developments.

If you are interested in sports coaching, please see the advertisement on page 19.

Pilates, tai chi and yoga

Pilates, tai chi and yoga are excellent forms of exercise that are suitable for all ages, fitness levels, shapes and sizes, and we offer classes from complete beginners to advanced levels.

To reshape and reform your body, Pilates is the exercise of choice. Some people swear by it for giving them lean yet strong muscles and that all-important inner core strength.


Yoga involves a gentle and specific style of stretching and moving, designed to integrate and relax the body and mind. Some long-term benefits include greater flexibility, strength, a more toned body shape, improved posture and a heightened sense of well being.

Tai chi is a very simple set of moves performed in sequence, designed to integrate the body and the mind, improve balance and co-ordination, and maintain health and well being into old age. This is one exercise form that you can perform even if you have joint stiffness and problems with arthritis.

There is something for everyone so come along, alone or with friends, to enjoy getting fit.

� Archery� Badminton� Body Conditioning� Canoeing� Circuit Training� Exercise to Music

� Explore Tai Chi & Qi Gong� Music for Fitness� Nordic Walking� Pilates� Posturecise� Stay Supple 50+

� Stretch & Relax� Swimming� Tai Chi� Yoga� Zumba

Available courses

Adult Learning works in partnership with the following organisations:

Tai Chi Chuan classes for beginners and more advanced levels in Radley, Faringdon and King Alfred’s School Wantage (West Site). For more information and to enrol visit www.taichichuan.org.uk or call Tony Jones on 01235 813857.

Alan Baker’s Three Treasures School of Tai Chi offers daytime classes in Wallingford, Charlbury, Chinnor, Henley-on-Thames, Thame and Sonning Common, and evening classes in Headington, Oxford, Wallingford and Didcot. For more information and to enrol call 01491 200471 or visitwww.threetreasurestaiji.co.uk.

Time4Pilates offers daytime and evening classes Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the Sonning Common area that include Ante and Post Natal courses. For further information please contact Christine Brook on 07789 717017 or visit www.time4pilates.co.uk.

I was nervous before my first Tai Chi class, but everyone was so welcoming. I’ve met new people and feel much healthier - I look forward to it each week now.s-






Therapies and Beauty

Complementary therapies

Public interest in this area has really taken off in recent years and continues to grow.

Our programme has developed and broadened as a reflection of the interest in and influence of complementary therapies.

We offer workshops and courses in popular subjects and specialist subjects, as well as a range of accredited courses to benefit existing therapists who may want to increase their knowledge and skills.

All courses and workshops are open to beginners and improvers, unless otherwise stated. If you want more information on any therapy offered, please visit our website.

Beauty therapy

We offer a mix of workshops and courses around the county. All courses are practical in nature and designed to cover different areas of interest: for example the face, hands, feet and legs. Whatever you cover in the course you will also receive the therapy; if you attend a course on hand care and manicure, you will not only come away with greater knowledge of the area and more techniques to use, but also lovely looking hands.

I feel so much better about myself after taking a life coaching course. I have a new found confidence and am looking forward to learning about NLP next time.


f

The nail and natural skincare workshops I attended were great. I no longer need to spend money on expensive treatments and products.T


� Alexander Technique� Aromatherapy & Massage� Beauty Therapy for the

Festive Season� Beauty Therapy for the

Holiday Season� Beauty Therapy; Face

Make-up & Eyebrows� Change your mind with

NLP� Chinese Face Reading� Counselling Skills� Create a Natural Skincare

Range� Crystal Healing

� Dowsing & Crystal Healing� Eyebrows & Eyebrow

Tinting� Face Make-up� Facials & Eyebrows� Improve your Golf with

Body Awareness Work� Indian Head Massage� Lymphatic Drainage for

Head and Neck� Meditation� Meridian Tracing for

Energy Balancing� Move Forward with Life

Coaching

� Natural Facelift� Natural Nail Care� Neuro Linguistic

Programming� QI Gong Healing� Reflexology & Foot

Massage� Start Your Own Manicure

Business� Touch for Health

(Kinesiology)� Tui Na Chinese Massage

Available courses



Did you find what you were looking for?

The Adult Learning Service delivers learning in local communities through our work with partner organisations, so not all provision is listed in this course guide, but is detailed on our website (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning). If a subject you are interested in is not offered, we would like to hear from you.

It is also possible to set up courses for groups of friends or people with a shared interest, and to run small group tuition in any subject already offered.

Please ring 0845 351 0646, or email [email protected] to register your interest.


Foundation Learning Programmes(16 - 18-year-olds)

If you left school without five GCSEs at grades A–C, are finding it difficult to secure employment or an apprenticeship, and would like to gain practical skills that you’ll need for work and daily life, call us on 01865 337524 to arrange an appointment to discuss a Foundation Learning Programme.

These programmes will help you improve your English, maths, ICT and employability skills, as well as enabling you to study a vocational subject, such as:

� Sports coaching� Hospitality � Caring for children� Catering� ICT� Retail knowledge� Public services � Business administration.

You could end up with a Level 1 Award, Certificate or Diploma in Vocational Studies in a career to suit you.

Courses are flexible and personalised to your own needs. They are completely free and you could qualify for financial support too. They:

� Require attendance for 15 hours a week, spread over three days � Last from 10 weeks to a year� Include work experience opportunities� Start any time during the year� Are currently based at Bicester, Banbury, Didcot, Abingdon and the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

Oxfordshire Adult Learning works with a number of training providers from across the county, offering a variety of specialisms. Contact the team on 01865 337524 to see if we have a venue and programme to suit you.


Carlton left school with one GCSE at grade F. He was unsure about what he wanted to do; he only knew that he liked sport. He enrolled on a 10-week Foundation Learning Programme with Adult Learning and achieved a Level 1 Award in Sport and Active Leisure, alongside Level 1 Functional Skills in English and Maths. He was then able to progress to a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Teaching, Coaching and Instructing. He is now employed by an independent sports coaching company, working with schools in Oxford.

Dane had tried unsuccessfully to join the army on leaving school. He enrolled on a Foundation Learning Programme in Abingdon and gained his Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths and English within six weeks. He also received training on work skills and interview technique and a work experience placement was arranged for him at a local retailer. Within eight weeks of joining the course he had secured a job with that retailer.



Learners’ stories

New Adult Learning Tutors

We are always interested in hearing from anyone who thinks they may like to become a tutor with us.

As you can see from this Course Guide, we offer many subjects at many levels, but we are always looking for new ideas, different approaches and, as with all our tutors, individuals who can inspire adults to realise their goals.

For further details and an application form, please contact us – call 0845 351 0646, write toOxfordshire Adult Learning, Unipart House, Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2GQ, or [email protected].


Courses by location

Abingdon Adult LearningThameside School, Cotman Close, Abingdon, OX14 5NLTel: 01235 535781

� Adults with Learning Disabilities

� Computing� Creative Crafts

� Drawing & Painting� English & Maths� Home Crafts� Languages & Communication

� Learning for Work� Photography� Therapies & Beauty

Banbury Adult LearningThe East Street Centre, Calder Close, Banbury, OX16 3WRTel: 01295 266763

For full listings and specific course information, please visit


� Computing� Creative Crafts� English & Maths

� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work� Sport & Fitness

� Therapies & Beauty

Berinsfield Adult LearningWimblestraw Road, Berinsfield, Wallingford, OX10 7LZTel: 01865 340688


� Computing� Creative Crafts

� Drawing & Painting� English & Maths� Home Crafts� Languages & Communication

� Learning for Work� Therapies & Beauty

Centres marked * are open throughout the summer, 09.30-16.30. All other centres will be open from 5 September.


Bicester Adult LearningBicester Community College, Queen’s Avenue, Bicester, OX26 2NSTel: 01869 241532

� Computing� Creative Crafts� Drawing & Painting

� English & Maths� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work

� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga� Sport & Fitness� Therapies & Beauty

Carterton Adult Learning (including Burford & Witney)Carterton Community College, Upavon Way, Carterton, OX18 1BUTel: 01993 847469


� Computing

� Creative Crafts� Drawing & Painting� English & Maths

� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work� Therapies & Beauty

Chipping Norton Adult Learning (including Charlbury & Woodstock)Burford Road, Chipping Norton, OX7 5DYTel: 01608 641644

� Computing� Cookery� Creative Crafts

� Drawing & Painting� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work

� Photography� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga� Therapies & Beauty

Didcot Adult Learning197 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8RUTel: 01235 812002

� Creative Crafts� Drawing & Painting� English & Maths

� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga

� Sport & Fitness

Grove Adult LearningSchool Lane, Millbrook, Grove, Wantage, OX12 7LBTel: 01235 764821

� Computing� Creative Crafts� Drawing & Painting

� English & Maths� Learning for Work� Sport & Fitness

� Therapies & Beauty



*


Kidlington Adult LearningGosford Hill School Campus, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2NTTel: 01865 372165

� Adults with Learning Disabilities� Computing� Cookery� Creative Crafts

� Drawing & Painting� Home Crafts� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work

� Maths� Photography� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga� Therapies & Beauty

Sonning Common Adult Learning (including Goring and Goring Heath)Chiltern Edge Community School, Reades Lane, Sonning Common, RG4 9LNTel: 0118 9723362

� Computing� Creative Crafts� Drawing & Painting� Home Crafts

� Languages & Communication� Music� Photography� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga

� Sport & Fitness� Therapies & Beauty



Oxford Adult Learning, Blackbird Leys (English and Maths only)Blackbird Leys Library and Learning Centre, Blackbird Leys Road, Oxford, OX4 6HTTel: 01865 776334

Oxford Adult Learning, City Centre2nd Floor, Central Library, Westgate, Oxford, OX1 1DJTel: 01865 246555

Oxford Adult Learning, CowleyThe Union, Collins Street, Oxford, OX4 1EETel: 01865 727148


� Computing� Cookery� Creative Crafts

� Drawing & Painting� English & Maths� Home Crafts� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work

� Music� Photography� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga� Sport & Fitness� Therapies & Beauty

*

*

*

Throughout Oxford


Thame Adult Learning (including Chinnor)Lord Williams’s School, Towersey Road, Thame, OX9 3NWTel: 01844 213400

� Computing� Cookery� Creative Crafts� Drawing & Painting

� English & Maths� Home Crafts� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work

� Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga� Sport & Fitness� Therapies & Beauty

Wallingford Adult LearningWallingford School, St George’s Road, Wallingford, OX10 8HRTel: 01491 836710

� Computing� Drawing & Painting� English & Maths

� Home Crafts� Languages & Communication� Learning for Work

� Sport & Fitness



Term Dates

These are notional term dates that are based on 10 week courses running within each term. Many courses start and end on different days please check before enrolling.

Autumn Monday 19 September - Friday 2 DecemberHalf Term Monday 24 October - Friday 28 October

Spring Monday 16 January - Friday 30 MarchHalf Term Monday 13 February - Friday 17 February

Summer Monday 23 April - Monday 9 JulyHalf Term Monday 4 June - Friday 8 June

Funding

Oxfordshire Adult Learning receives a funding subsidy from the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People’s Learning Agency.


How to enrol

You can enrol on our courses in one of the following ways:

Online – www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning

Visit our website for more course information or for details on how to enrol, and have your debit or credit card details to hand.

Please note that if you are required to undertake a pre-course interview or appointment, it will not be possible to enrol online.

By phone – 0845 351 0646 (between 09.30–17.00)

You will require a debit/credit card to complete your enrolment. Please note that enrolments cannot be taken on this number

for courses offered by partner organisations (such as The Mill, OFVM and The Music Service).

By post – Oxfordshire Adult Learning, Oxfordshire County Council, Unipart House, Garsington Road, Oxford,

OX4 2GQ

Enrolment forms can be downloaded from our website (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adultlearning) or picked up from one of our

centres. When enrolling by post, payment can be made using a debit or credit card or by cheque made payable to Oxfordshire

County Council.

In person – from 09.30–16.30 at centres marked on pages 30 - 33.

Booking conditions

1. Payment is needed at time of enrolment to secure your place. If you cannot use a debit or credit card, then you should enrol

in person or by post, enclosing a cheque made payable to Oxfordshire County Council. If your payment is not cleared, your

place will be released.

2. If you are eligible for fee reduction you will still have to pay any accreditation, exams or materials fees, if appropriate, and

these will be due at time of enrolment to secure your place. Support for these fees may be available – please call 0845 351

0646 for details on a Learner Support Grant. (Please note that accreditation and exam fees are not payable by those aged

16–18 or those on non-GCSE English and Maths courses.)

3. Once you have enrolled by phone, a receipt and a course information sheet will be sent to you. If you enrol online, a receipt

will be emailed to you, together with a link to the course information sheet. Please read the course information sheet as it

will give all the pre-course information you need.

4. Refunds and cancellations:

a. If you change your mind within seven days of enrolling, or your course is either closed or cancelled (e.g. not enough

people have enrolled), we will refund your fee. Refunds cannot be given in any other circumstances.

b. In the event of bad weather or other emergency we will contact you using the telephone number you have

supplied. Refunds will not be given if a session is cancelled in these circumstances.

c. Refunds will be made within 30 days of course enrolment or cancellation as detailed in 4a.

d. Your enrolment can be cancelled by us if the documentary evidence required to support a reduced fee is not

produced as asked.

5. Unless otherwise stated, all courses listed are for adults (19+ at 31 August 2011) and each enrolment is for one person.

Children can only attend venues if they are accessing a Family Learning or family focused (eg Family Archery) event or using

childcare services.

Enrolling, booking, terms and fees

*


6. We welcome hearing dogs and dogs for the blind but cannot accommodate any other pets.

7. We aim to make our learning as inclusive as possible. When enrolling, please declare any disability or learning difficulty so

we are best placed to support you during your time with us.

8. We are responsible for safeguarding any children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom our service comes into

contact. If you have any query or concern about your safety or the safety of others, please contact our

Adult Safeguarding Manager, Abingdon Adult Learning, Cotman Close, Abingdon OX14 5NL or call 01235 535781.

9. Every care has been taken in compiling this brochure but we cannot be liable for any inaccuracies. Wherever possible, we

will run courses as advertised but reserve the right to cancel or change advertised details.

Can we help you with your fees?

Learner Support Grants may be available to those who have genuine difficulty paying for a course, accreditation, childcare

or other costs. For further details please contact your local centre or call 0845 351 0646.

Reduced fees are available to many learners. As a general rule, courses that lead to a qualification are free to those who are

16–18 or are on JSA or ESA (WRAG), and to those on some First Steps courses. For all other courses, a 40% fee concession is

available for those who receive JSA, ESA (WRAG) or a benefit listed below. There are exceptions, so please check before you

enrol.

If you are eligible for a fee reduction, you will need to produce an original document that shows you are entitled to or are in

receipt of the relevant benefit. This evidence needs to be either taken into one of our centres listed on pages 30-33 or posted

to Oxfordshire Adult Learning, Oxfordshire County Council, Unipart House, Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2GQ, to

arrive within 15 working days of enrolling, or before the start of the course, whichever is the shorter, or your place will be

released. Even if you pay reduced fees, additional costs such as accreditation, exams* and/or materials are payable. (*Except

for those aged 16–18 years old and those on non-GCSE English and maths courses.)

Benefits:

� Income Support

� Working Tax Credit

� Housing Benefit

� Council Tax Benefit

� Pension Credit (guarantee)

� Income Related Employment & Support Allowance

� Unwaged dependent of someone in receipt of any of these benefits.

Payment by instalments is available for all courses costing £100 or more. For more information, please call 0845 351 0646.

If you need further information or advice on the support and fee reductions available to you please call 0845 351 0646.

}This list is subject to

change. For further

advice please call

0845 351 0646.


New courses are being planned all the time.Visit our website for up-to-date listings:

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