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Bedfordshire Adult Skills and Community Learning

Many people have a slightly outdated image of adult education. The old image of "evening classes" held in poorly heated school classrooms is now totally misleading, and couldn't be further from the truth.

Here in Central Bedfordshire an organisation called "Bedfordshire Adult Skills and Community Learning" provides adult and community learning using the most modern of venues and covering a massive spectrum of courses and subjects. "BASCL", while being a county run organisation, covering both central Beds and Beds Borough, has a full time office based in the reception area of Samuel Whitbread Community College with two full time staff members and two part time staff.

From this office over 200 adult and community courses are run at over 15 venues in Central Beds. On a County wide basis this organisation caters for the needs of over 4,000, enrolled learners.

The reasons people enrol in these courses are as diverse as the courses themselves. Some people want to brush up on their basic skills so they can help their children with their courses, projects and homework, others to gain further academic qualifications to increase their job prospects and career choices. Some, quite simply just want to learn a new skill or increase their knowledge in an existing one, such as learning a second language, or computer skills.

In 2009, nearly 1000 people in Bedfordshire gained a formal qualification by taking a course with BASCL.

So where, when and what can I study?

Many of the courses are held in schools, after the school day has finished, but libraries, village halls and community centres also host courses. If a need is established in a particular area to run a course, the BASCL staff will source a venue in which to hold it. Some popular courses are often run at several locations simultaneously.

Popular courses include water colour painting, dancing and keep fit, but with a range of courses numbering over 200, and many of these having basic, intermediate and advanced levels, the choice is literally endless.

All the courses are run by professionally trained tutors, skilled in their specialist subjects. While many classes provide all the equipment a learner will need, some do ask that the students provide equipment themselves. These include photography and courses involving a musical instrument.

How much does it cost and can I get support with the costs?

Because of the diverse nature of the course, fees vary depending on the type and duration of the course, but in many cases help is available towards the cost especially if you are in receipt of benefits.

For example a ten week keep fit course with a one hour session once a week would cost:

• £37.00 if you pay the full rate
• £30.00 if you are over 60 (75% of the full fee)
• £12.00 if you receive certain benefits, especially job seekers.

A 5 week course leading to a formal qualification in computer skills will cost:

• £36.00 if you pay the full rate
• £30.00 if you are over 60
• £20.00 if you qualify for help with the funding.

Your employer may also be in a position to help you, especially if the course you want to take is work related.

For further advice on funding, the easiest way is to contact the BASCL office at Samuel Whitbread Community College, who will give you all the information you need.

More information

For more details visit the Sparks website at www.myfuturetoday.org.uk or telephone the BASCL office at Samuel Whitbread on 01462 629906. You can also email one of the Samuel Whitbread BASCL staff direct on: Helen Nicholson

A partial list of BASCL courses run throughout Central Bedfordshire is attached, but please remember that this is not the full list.