WORKERS EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

The WEA puts on Adult Education courses throughout the UK, including;

North Yorkshire - York, Northallerton, Selby, Harrogate, etc.)
South Yorkshire - Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, etc.
East Midlands - Chesterfield, Derby, etc. 

The WEA national site has a searchable courses database covering all of the UK. As it is database-driven, its contents DO NOT come up on Google and other search-engines. So VISIT THEIR WEBSITE if you are looking for courses in your area. WEA regions, and some individual education centres also have their own websites, e.g. Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands, and Hurst House in Chesterfield.

Yorkshire and Humber regional office is at Leeds - phone 0113 245 3304. 

Courses are subsidised - money comes from the Government via the Learning and Skills Council, who also get a say in how the WEA's systems operate. Well, actually as far as I can see, they tell them what to do. This is meant to ensure good quality teaching, but is done in such a way as to involve a lot of form-filling, and writing down of things that otherwise should not need writing down, especially for tutors. All other taxpayer-funded education providers are also in that situation. But it does mean course fees are cheaper than they would be otherwise, and if you are on state benefits you will not have to pay anything for your course.

BUT fees are going up for all Adult Education courses, thanks to New Labour who are cutting funding. This means there will be fewer students and fewer courses. "Education, Education, Education?"

Details of courses which I teach, whether WEA, private, or for other providers, are at COURSES, except for Circle and International Folk Dance which are at EVENTS.

 

MORE WEA BACKGROUND

The following is taken from the WEA national website (but bear in mind that the democratic aims are somewhat undermined by having to obey the requirements of the major funder (LSC), which are NOT decided in negotiation with learners and tutors);

"The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) is the UK’s largest voluntary provider of adult education. Ever since it was founded in 1903, in order to support the educational needs of working men and women, the WEA has maintained its commitment to provide access to education and learning for adults from all backgrounds, and in particular those who have previously missed out on education. 

The WEA is one of the UK’s biggest charities, and operates at local, regional and national levels. Nine Regions in England, a Scottish Association and over 650 local Branches make up the WEA’s National Association.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. 

There is a proud tradition of voluntary and democratic practice within the Association, which is, at heart, controlled by its members. At Branch, District and National levels, voluntary members are involved in the planning and provision of courses, as well as the governance of the Association itself. 

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’s Community Fund.The WEA was 100 years old in 2003."

 

Paul Boizot. Page updated 20.10.08

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I HAVE RELOCATED TO YORK. Post and phone messages are no longer being forwarded from my former Sheffield address. I will continue to be available to teach in Sheffield and Chesterfield at certain times.

contact me on: 01904 621510

info@paulboizot.co.uk