WEA

The WEA is a national organisation providing learning to adults from all walks of life. Our courses and classes currently fall under the main areas listed here although a WEA national curriculum review is currently underway. This will help us to ensure that we can offer courses of the same high quality across the country and also respond to the needs of students and learners’ locally within WEA Regions.

The WEA is a national charity and is supported by the Government through funding from the Learning and Skills Council in England, and in Scotland by the Scottish Executive and Local Authorities. We also raise funds nationally and regionally, from a variety of other sources including the European Union and the National Lottery.  The Eastern Region Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) was founded in 1913 and is one of the 13 English Regions, which, with the Scottish Association, make up the National Association.

General Programme

General Programme courses are open to anyone willing to study with the WEA - entry requirements are rare and most students learn for the stimulus and reward of a shared learning experience rather than to gain qualifications. A wide range of subjects is available including history, archaeology, literature, philosophy, visual arts, music and science.  Courses can be found in cities, towns and villages across the country. All classes are publicised locally, and further information is available from the WEA Regions.

Workplace Learning Programme

Learners on the Workplace Learning Programme come to the WEA through their place of work and through our partnerships with trade unions and employers.  The focus is on workers, both from the public and private sectors, who have experienced little or no formal learning since leaving school - especially those on low incomes.

A wide range of learning opportunities, from Basic Skills to Access courses, are provided for adults who want to return to learning in order to further their personal and occupational development. Working in collaboration with UNISON we promote lifelong learning in the NHS and Local Government Services.

The Workplace Learning Programme plays an important part in the WEA’s contribution towards the Government’s national policies for the building of a learning workforce and the development of lifelong learning generally.

WEA likes involve learners, volunteers, members and other partners in:

  • Influencing and campaigning on behalf of adult learners
  • Removing barriers to learning
  • Being responsive in the heart of communities
  • Making the most effective use of all our resources
  • Promoting learning for life
  • Changing and enriching lives through learning – at individual and community levels
  • Promoting adult education worldwide

Values

  • Creating equality and opportunity, and challenging discrimination
  • Believing in people, communities and their potential to change through Education
  • Putting the learner at the centre of everything we do
  • Challenging and questioning ourselves

Through these local and regional centres, today’s WEA now runs over 10,000 courses each year, providing learning for more than 110,000 adults of all ages and drawn from all walks of life.  Courses are created and delivered in response to local need, often in partnership with local community groups and organisations.  The WEA believes that education is lifelong and should continue beyond school, college and university in order to help people develop their potential in a democratic society.

EASTERN REGION
Workers’ Educational Association
Botolph House
17 Botolph Lane
Cambridge
CB2 3RE
Tel: 01223 350 978
Fax: 01223 300 911
Email: eastern@wea.org.uk

 

©2010 | Content Management by Refresh | Privacy Statement | Terms and Conditions | Site Map