This term Life Skills students will be taking part in activities designed to make them more mental health aware. Students have been looking at emotions and how to identify emotions in others and themselves. They identified activities that they take part in and those that make them feel good. This week students took part in a walking for health day at Wolverhampton's West Park. Students planned the route that they walked to and from. Before the trip students discussed healthy eating and how this can affect how they feel. They then planned and prepared their own lunch for the day which they sat and enjoyed in the shade of the trees at lunch time. During the day students played ball and card games, activities they had chosen prior to the visit. Games that included the use of number skills. They also discussed the outdoor exercise equipment and had a go at some gentle exercise. While exploring the park the group discovered a sensory garden. There were a variety of smells and textures to ex...

National Numeracy Week was a runaway success, with 135 students and 12 staff completed quizzes for the honour of winning an Adult Education Wolverhampton bag packed with goodies. What about the sweets? 55 staff and students had a go at guessing the number in the jar. It was wonderful hearing teachers' stories of how students responded to the quiz and how it was used as a starter activity in some classes.  One teacher reported how her students decided to work as a team to find answers to each question.  Students split themselves into small groups, with each group taking responsibility for finding answers to specific questions.  They used their ICT skills to find answers, even locating the Self-Assessment Report to find the total number of students who attended classes in 2017/18. One student explained the patterns in the number sequence question to the whole group with great clarity so that everyone could work out the next two numbers for themselves. Thanks to everyone wh...

This term student from the Life Skills Move on and Life Skills Keep Learning classes have been learning about their local industrial heritage and Pride. During sessions they have explored and learned new skills in making items such as enamelling, casting and sewing.  Throughout the project students have learned about budgeting their money and how to forward plan for events and visits. They have practiced using money, adding values and giving change. Some students also learnt about VAT and how it works.  During the project students have been on a number of visits which they have planned as a team. Before their recent visit to the Black Country Living Museum students chose the buses they would catch to travel to and from the museum and looked at the cost of travel tickets. They reviewed the museum website and worked out how much it would cost to buy their lunch there. Some students also researched how much it would cost to buy lunch compared the price to a packed lunch. They th...

On Tuesday 2nd April, two groups of students from our Life Skills Move On and Like Skills Keep on Learning programmes went on a trip to the Black Country Museum together with their tutors Michelle Bishton, Bethune Matthews and a number of support workers. The day started with most of the students catching the bus which was a great way to build our students confidence in using public transport.  Everyone enjoyed the bus trip and when we arrived at the Black Country Museum the students split into various groups to enable them to do some of the activities that they most wanted to do. One group went down the mine, whilst a nother group visited the Vintage Cars which everyone agreed were in great condition.  Some of the students went on the Trolley bus and were very interested in what the conductor had to say. At lunchtime we all met up in the Workers Institute to have a drink and then the students who had not taken their own lunch all went to Hobbs Fish & Chips to get th...

Seema, a drag artist, fashion and textiles designer and teacher visited the Life Skills group at the Maltings to discuss and inform students about the LGBTQ culture. Students were invited to look through her portfolios of work which showed a wide range of clothing, costumes and jewellery, items that have been showcased at LBGTQ events such as 'Pride'. Seema talked about her work at IMAAN the UK's leading LGBTQ Muslim charity, an organisation who support LGBTQ Muslims giving them a safe space and support. She also talked about keeping safe and building a supportive network. Students discussed their feelings about being in public spaces and talked about building their confidence and independence. They also discussed what they should do if they felt unsafe and in danger. During the day Seema modelled for the group incorporating 2 flamboyant costume changes. The group drew and photographed her on site and on location. They were also give the task to design costumes for Seema focusing on co...

A tale of two cities is a collaborative project bringing together Life skills student groups from Adult Education Wolverhampton and Art shape in Gloucester.  The aim is to bring together students facing disabling barriers from two very different cities. Students will have the opportunity to individually research and learn about each other and their cities. During the project the 2 groups of students will share their activities electronically and via social media. The project will culminate with celebrations later this year. Spring term theme  During the spring term students have been looking at equality and diversity and have been researching 'Pride' the LGBTQ communities' positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay , bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning ( LGBTQ ). They have also looked into their own concept of the word pride and have been investigating their local industrial heritage. Full steam ahead...  Students at Adult Education W...

On Tuesday 29th January 2019 Life Skills students, Move On and Keep Learning classes visited Cosford Air Museum.  This was part of their ongoing Tale of Two Cities project in which students are learning about the industrial history of the area and traditional crafts.  This week students have been learning about the manufacture of planes in Wolverhampton. Boulton Paul Aircraft Ltd was an aircraft manufacturer based in Wolverhampton and situated on the edge of Pendeford airfield in Wolverhampton. The company built air craft for other manufacturers but also some of their own designs. One of these was the Defiant fighter.  As part of Life Skills sessions students learn practical skills that they can use in their day to day lives. Students started out their day by meeting at the train station where they all purchased their own return tickets to Cosford. They had spent some time in class previously looking at time tables and prices of train tickets to plan their trip.  Th...

Life Skills 'Keep on Learning' students took part in a Mini Medic session ran by Adult Educations Health and Safety team, Karen Robins and Sandra Stanford. During the session the group identified what you would find in a first aid kit, used resuscitation dolls to administer CPR and were trained in the use of a defibrillator. The group practiced putting each other in the recovery position and discussed what to do in an emergency.  Finally, they used the choke vest to remove a blockage from the instructor Sandra.  Teacher Hannah Boyd said, "It was a great practical session enjoyed by all, a learning experience that could turn into a life saver.

​On Monday 14 January 2019, students were visited by Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Minister for Education and Skills at Wolverhampton Borough Council. The Level 2 Functional Skills English students had discussed the Wolverhampton Orange Campaign promoting the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. The visit was in response to letters written by some of the students as part of their exam revision; they wrote to Councillor Moran suggesting ways they thought the campaign could be promoted and explored in local schools. The students engaged in a discussion with Councillor Lynne Moran regarding different types of violence committed against both men and women, religious and cultural differences and the appropriate places to seek support. Councillor Moran responded to questions regarding the campaign and provided details of its inclusion within the curriculum in Wolverhampton schools already. She also invited students to give their thoughts and opinions o...

On Tuesday 11 th December 2018, the Pre-Entry ESOL students participated in a session with the aim of learning the English terms for the parts of the human body. Firstly, the students engaged in an initial conversation to practice the pronunciation of each word and then proceeded in teams to draw round a representative of their group and label their diagrams with the names of each body part. The students found this session both enjoyable and educational. The session was led by PGCE student, Steph Gilford and supported by Pamela Lavender, Subject Lead Integration. Interested in joining an ESOL course? Are you interested in joining an English for Speakers of Other Languages?  If English is not your first language, join our ESOL classes. All courses will help you to learn more about life and work in the UK.  Find out more about this course here , or contact us for more information.

Students attending the Life Skills 'move on' classes spent the first term creating beautifully crafted Christmas gifts, cards and decorations. On Tuesday 10 December, the group got everyone into the festive spirit by selling their hand made crafts at the annual Christmas Craft Fair, which is held in our main Foyer.  The event was a big success,  raising a grand total of £142  of which £50 will be donated to the Royal British Legion . Students would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported them on the day and purchased their goods. Teacher Michelle said, "The event was a great success and very encouraging for the class. A real inspiration for the students and a great incentive for them to continue with their hard work. The event has been a real boost to their confidence and enhanced their determination to succeed." Interested in joining a Like Minds course?  Are you interested in joining a Like Minds class or know someone wh...

On Thursday 6 December, Julia Weston (Programme Manager for Skills for Work) and Bookkeeping Teacher Steph Hemming attended the annual International Association of Bookkeepers Awards  ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament to receive a Silver Centre Award for consistently high student achievement across a range of IAB qualifications. The event recognised the achievement of centres, students and teachers, along with Bookkeeping and Accountancy Professionals from across the globe with centres from Malaysia and India attending also. Julia said " It was great to see Adult Education Wolverhampton in such prestigious company!" The event was hosted by MP Fabian Hamilton on the Terrace Pavilion with members of the house of Lords presenting certificates all topped off with a glass of bubbly! Interested in a Bookkeeping course? ​Would you like to gain a qualification in Bookkeeping? Find out more about a Bookkeeping course at Adult Education Wolverhampton. 

The Like Minds art group that meet on a Tuesday morning are a mixture of new and old students. The group comes together to learn, create and to take their minds away from the worries of their day. In today's session the group focused on a seasonal theme making 2D clay reliefs, using texture, pattern, form and text. The session resulted in the beginning of a fabulous array of handmade decorations. Janet who is in her second year said, "I am really enjoying the sessions, they are very therapeutic. If I'm having a bad day it helps me to forget about how I am feeling and gives us all a different focus. We are all here for similar reasons mainly our mental health so we understand and support each other. At each session we are taught and inspired by the teacher and each other." Earlier this year Sam was made redundant though ill health and decided that she wanted to focus on her creativity in a relaxed environment and build on her skills. One day she would like to become a self-employed desi...

As part of their Level 2 Functional Skills English exam revision, and to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that falls on November 25th, students discussed the topic of domestic violence. During their discussion they agreed that violent actions towards both women and men are wholly unacceptable and deemed the topic to be a very emotional one. They all celebrated the worthwhile campaign and explored ways in which the campaign could be promoted in local schools. Following the discussion, they were invited to write a letter to councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Minister for Education and Skills at Wolverhampton Council, to suggest ways in which the campaign could be promoted in local schools. The session was taught by Pam Lavender (Subject Lead Integration) and supported by  Steph Gilford (PGCE student).   Student letters Veronique Zegbe Gurvinder Sandhu Angela Samuels Esther Luckett Dear Councillor Moran, With the dramatic rise of th...

During their latest session Life Skills 'Keep Moving' students were accompanied by teacher Hannah Boyd on a visit to the BP British Portrait Award at Wolverhampton Art Gallery . BP British Portrait Awards The exhibition is an annual celebration of contemporary painted portraiture by artists of all ages from across the world. The competition is one of the most important platforms for portrait painters and one of the largest global arts competitions.  This year, 2667 entries were received from artists in 88 countries. Each was judged anonymously by a panel of judges (the artists' name, nationality, gender and age were withheld) and the list was gradually reduced to just 48 exceptional portraits for the exhibition. Source: Wolverhampton Art Gallery  'Life Skills' students get involved Whilst at the gallery students discussed the work in the exhibition, they chose their favourite portrait and explained why. They used mobile devices to take pictures of each other in front of the p...

On Thursday 15th November Life Skills teacher Hannah Boyd took her group on a visit to Birmingham's Ort Gallery to see Saranjit Birdi's 'Mapping Bones' exhibition. During the visit the group were invited to interact with the exhibition and were encouraged to draw on a long piece of paper on the wall with pencils taped to parts of the body (a process which the artist himself uses). During the visit students learnt about and discussed the bones in the body, a topic that they will continue to research in coming weeks. The aim of our life skills classes are to promote independence and encourage our students to participate in different daily activities.This week's visit has incorporated travelling by bus and train. During the day students also visited the Bull at the Bullring (a popular tourist attraction) and also visited Birmingham's annual German Christmas market. Photos include the Student group, Support Worker Lindsey Searby, PGCE student Kate Hall and Teacher Hannah Boyd and the stude...

At Adult Education Wolverhampton we acknowledge the power of taking part in the arts and in group activities to improve health and well-being. "Like Minds" classes are ideal for anyone recovering from stress, anxiety or mild depression. Students need a referral from their GP, Nurse or Healthcare Professional. In the sessions students learn new skills, focus, build renewed self-esteem and interact in a safe environment…a place for them to gain the confidence to move on. Like Minds Art and Crafts  ​ The Like minds Art and Craft group have worked on many different projects since the beginning of term including paper bead bracelets, weaving coaster mats and the latest one is to create a fabric memorial poppy. During the session students have learnt many new creative techniques. With the support of the teacher the students themselves discuss, share ideas and decide on the projects that they do each week.  Since attending these sessions students have gained the confidence to expand...

This term Students attending the Life Skills 'Move on and Keep Learning' class have been researching the history of World War 1. On Tuesday 6 th November the group visited the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. During the day students got to see all the exhibits related to the First World War, this included the exhibitions 'Lest we forget' and 'Poppies: Wave'. They recorded their visit through photographs and had the opportunity to speak to veterans who volunteer at the museum. Some students had been looking into their family history and were able to share their personal stories. Students also got the chance to look at wartime artefacts which helped them to relate to the experience of the time and to bring what they had been learning in class to life. After the visit students shared what they learnt through discussion.  Dawn Ohm (AEW Staff) went along on the trip to support the students and felt very privileged to see the fantastic rapport between the students, tutors, support wor...

Black History Month 2018 Black History month celebrates the achievements and contributions of black people not just in the UK, but throughout the world and also helps to educate us all on black history. Students from across Adult Education have been involved in activities aimed a highlighting and celebrating black history. The work on show is a selection of work that was created during the month of October 2018 Black History Craft Engagement On Tuesday 16 th October the Seventh Day Adventist Church hosted a day of activities to celebrate Black History Month.Adult Education Wolverhampton joined the activities and delivered an art and craft engagement activity to the members of the centre. The group worked together to create a mixed media collage that represented cultural diversity. A Portrait of Black History ​ Life Skills Students where tasked to create a portrait of Dr Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks and copy some written information about why they are historically important. The gr...

Life Skills students (students with learning difficulties and disabilities) from Adult Education worked with Jim Barrow, Director / Trustee of the Newhampton Arts Centre. They looked at the history of the plane trees that were planted in Old Hall Street in 1920 to commemorate ex-students of the Higher Grade School, (now Adult Education Wolverhampton) who lost their lives in the Great War. On the 10th of November 1920 a log book entry reads: "Today the Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough, together with the deputy mayor and other officials conducted the ceremony of the planting in connection with the school. Twelve trees were planted by scholars in Old Hall Street in memory of past scholars who had given their lives for their king and country during the great European War." The eight trees that stand at Old Hall Street are believed to be what remains of those planted in 1920. As part of this terms theme to celebrate Equality and Diversity, Life Skills students researched and designed a com...