Twelve parents at Whale Hill Primary School in Eston have gained two level 2 qualifications in a matter of months, on adult learning courses we run inside their children’s school.
We work with Steel River Education Trust, which runs Whale Hill, to bring level 2 courses to parents in a place they already know. The group started with Understanding Autism and went straight on to Understanding Behaviours that Challenge. By early July, all 12 had both certificates.
How it started
Michelle Kelso, our Adult Education Manager, attended the Redcar Literacy Summit last year. It highlighted that one in five adults in Redcar and Cleveland have no formal education or qualifications.
Jackie Hutchinson of Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Services then introduced Michelle to Paul Forster, deputy head of Whale Hill Primary School. Michelle suggested running adult courses in the school and was invited to host a coffee afternoon for parents on 5 January. Twelve parents came, all 12 enrolled on Understanding Autism, and they started studying four days later.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are or what qualifications you already have. It doesn’t even matter if you left school with no qualifications. The access to adult education that we provide at Atomix can be life changing,” says Michelle.
“One woman who has just finished two level 2 courses with us summed it up. She said she felt so proud of her achievements and of the difference it had made to her life. It was time to focus on herself by getting new skills and qualifications that could help her get a job. It’s stories like hers that make my job so rewarding.”
A classroom for adults
Learners at Whale Hill had been using furniture made for primary school children. We have now set up a classroom in the school just for adult learning, with adult-sized desks and chairs, and books, plants and posters to make it a welcoming space.
“We now have an adult education classroom that is fit for purpose,” says Michelle.
Anna Turley, MP for Redcar and Cleveland, visited the school on 22 September to see the work taking place. “Anna Turley came along and we took some photos of our learners in the learning environment,” says Michelle. “She was really impressed by the work taking place and said she would put us in contact with other organisations that could benefit from the opportunities and support provided through adult education.”
Where learners go next
“We see people who have been out of work for a long time getting back their motivation, growing in confidence and making positive changes to their lives, without ever having to step foot in a college if they don’t want to, as that can be really daunting,” says Michelle.
“Once they have completed their Functional Skills maths and English at Tees Valley Women’s Centre, I’ve seen some of the adults we work with go on to study to be paramedics, nurses or midwives, which is a wonderful feeling.”
Some learners are now moving on to Supporting Teaching and Learning courses, with placements in the primary schools where they are based. “You have got parents becoming teaching assistants in their child’s school, helping the school community,” says Michelle. “They are also great role models for the children, showing that you can achieve when you get your certificates, so it really does benefit the whole community.”
What comes next
We have also supported six learners at Caedmon Primary School, which is part of Steel River Education Trust, and we hope to bring courses to more primary schools and community settings across Redcar and Cleveland. We already teach adults at two schools in Stockton, and veterans at Castle Court, Morgan House in Boosbeck.
Dr Nichole Munro, CEO of Atomix Educational Trust, said: “What Michelle is doing in the communities we serve is truly inspirational. Empowering local people through education, improving their confidence and helping them to achieve, whatever their previous academic background, makes the whole community stronger and helps raise aspirations for generations to come.”
Many of our adult courses are free for eligible adults across Tees Valley. To see what is on offer, visit adultlearning.atomix.ac.uk.