RSCs – Stimulating and Supporting Innovation in Learning
ACL Provision in the South West
There are a number of organisations in the region who are involved in the delivery of ACL. They vary from local authorities providing direct provision, partnerships with FE colleges and contracted out arrangements with schools, colleges and voluntary organisations.
Since March 2004, RSC South West has been working with ACL providers to promote the benefits of using e-learning in ACL and to ensure that all providers take advantage of the funding and training programmes available through NIACE. There has been a series of events and workshops across the region, including
Adult Learners Week
Adult Learners' Week is the UK's largest and longest running festival of learning. Held each May, it encourages thousands of adults, whatever their age and background.
To view the highlights of the Adult Learners Week, please click here
Additional resources: Winners Stories
Here are the SW winners stories:
The Nightjar - Opening Doors to Adult Learners Awards - When Di Bradley reshaped the Nightjar as a community pub for Worle in Somerset, she became the estate’s librarian, college head and community education adviser.
Arron Edwards - European Social Fund Regional Awards - Arron was referred to The Cornwall Foundation of Promise – the foundation behind the training programme at restaurant, fiffteen Cornwall – by the police and youth offending team.
Dwayne - Individual Regional Awards - Dwayne was sentenced to spend time in a young offenders institution and decided to use it positively to complete a number of courses.
Deborah Stanley-Jones - Individual Regional Awards - In January 2009, Debbie was made redundant from her job as an Inventory Support and Process Manager with Woolworths, in a field-based role, after 31 years’ service.
Louise Cox - Individual Regional Awards -Louise became pregnant at the age of 14 and left school without qualifications. After the birth of her son, she started at The Meriton School in Bristol – a specialist baby and mother school – and gained GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, Art and Child Development, as well as a Level 1 BTEC in Travel and Tourism.
Kay Osberg - Individual Regional Awards - Kay lived at home with her mum due to having a moderate learning disability, but when her mum was taken into care three years ago, Kay began living on her own. Wishing to improve her independence, Kay completed a Link into Learning course, then moved onto higher-level courses.
Tracey Archman - Outstanding Learner of the Year - After leaving school at 16 in 1984 with few aspirations, Tracey Archman, now aged 41, joined the Youth Training Scheme and worked as a factory operator at the same time as bringing up four children for 11 years as a single parent.
Energy2Work - European Social Fund Opening Doors to Adult Learners Award - A unique commercial enterprise in Wiltshire, set up to give disabled people skills to meet shortages in local industry, has to impressed employers that they are snapping up the learners for full-time jobs.
The Hall Family - Outstanding Family Learners of the Year - A family of three with learning difficulties and disabilities ranging from limited sight to severe brain damage have transformed their quality of life and confidence through the power of computers.
Leigh-Ann Lumsden - Adult Learners' Week Transformation Fund Award - Leigh-Ann has found great enjoyment and encouragement in music and, by attending music sessions at Foxes Bridge Day Centre, she has learned to play the keyboard.
Denise Hodgson - Regional Senior Learner of the Year - Being branded ‘thick’ at school and told she was not clever enough to be
a nurse meant Denise settled for life as a hospital chef and spent
subsequent years working in a care home. Denise, however, felt she had
more to give and completed an Open University course in mental health.
The Learning Revolution
NIACE is hoping that this will continue to be a valuable online space for the exchange information and ideas on informal adult learning. The site has already highlighted some exciting projects and aims to continue to grow.
For more information please click here
The School of Everything
The website that helps you learn whatever, whenever and wherever you want. From Biology to Beekeeping, History to Hula hooping. You don't need to go to the end of the earth to learn what you want. This is a valuable resource for teachers, organisers or anyone wanting to find out more information.
Click here to visit their website
For more information about how the RSC can support ACL providers in the South West, contact
Tracey Morris
e-Learning Advisor (ACL)
RSC South West
email: traceymorris@rsc-south-west.ac.uk
Tel: 01752 587033
Helpdesk: 01752 587031