Blog

  25/01/2021 Microsoft teams was running slow first thing this morning but the group showed great determination. It did however require some technical support from class mates and a very smooth rescue mission from one individual to recover those lost in another virtual room. The team met and congratulated each other on a job well done. Despite the minor delay to the start of class they were all smiles and pleased to see each other. The group are adapting well to this new way of life and learning. It may not be a classroom as we know it but it is offering them some structure to their week. They enjoy seeing each other and the staff that support them. The first few minutes of the day are taken up with general chit chat, each asking how the others are and enquiring on theirs and their family's health. There have been a few oops moments when students forget they are participating in a class and the language seems to switch from good mannered English to …………….well I best not say. After...

Over the last 10 months it has been clear that the digital divide has been getting bigger with more people disadvantaged because they are without access to the Internet and other information and communication technologies. As further basic activities are moved online some people are unable or less able to obtain digital information, shop online, participate democratically, or learn skills and offer skills. In response to this AEW has organised a laptop loan scheme and help for students to access the internet in their own homes making it possible for more people to access what could be seen as a basic right.  Students benefit from loans scheme One group of students who have benefitted from the loan scheme is the 3 day Move On Life Skills class, all of whom now have access to laptops to enable them to engage with learning online. This is their story: Week one I t's only our first week of live streaming for the Life Skills Move On Group, but it has already made a huge difference to h...

Last week, we sent our last homework to our Life Skills students. Our academic year draws to a close and it is now time to reflect on this unprecedented situation and prepare for the future. Covid-19 has even stolen the bittersweet last day of our courses. However, not all was doom and gloom under isolation and lockdown. We, teachers of Adults with Learning Disabilities, embraced the challenges created by the lockdown. Learning was not on hold! Embracing challenges Hannah Boyd - Art Teacher Hannah Boyd- art teacher- used her creativity to film short homework videos with her mobile phone. Each week, she invited her students to produce work such as drawing a dinosaur from a 3D scan, using nature as inspiration, or preparing a dish in response to plant identification. The video was followed up by a phone call to provide further guidance and encouragement. Hannah considered that it was the most appropriate medium which closely represents what is happening in her classroom. She enjoyed maki...

Business Administration students have continued to learn throughout the lockdown albeit from their dining room, kitchen, living room or bedroom. At the start of their course in September their teacher Niki Tomlinson introduced them to working with Microsoft Office 365 one of the most used software packages in the workplace.Since lockdown started students have been able to continue working towards their qualification and learning the skills needed to work in an office. The students have been collaboratively learning through the 'Teams' app.Here they can chat to each other and discuss their thoughts and opinions. For example, discussing the advantages of using electronic diary systems.Following their discussions, they have produced reports which have been uploaded into their classroom notebook.  The main change for the majority of the group is the time they access their work. Some have children who require the family laptop during the day for their learning, so the students have had...

While working at home during lockdown Life Skills students started a new project to explore the use of renewable energy sources and materials. Students have been asked to design a home of the future. They investigated the reducing, recycling and reusing of materials and objects. The effects of what we produce on the environment and what we could do to limit any damaging effects. They considered what the needs of a house in the future could be taking into consideration a changing climate and use of different materials. I am very proud to say that students have been working hard on this project and have been using imaginative ways to approach their vision for a house of the future. Students have been using Lego, Knex, cardboard boxes and even Mind Craft to illustrate what they think a house of the future may look like. Student ideas 

At Adult Education our Access team continue to prepare students for university, by supporting them remotely. What is the pre-access course? Our pre access course prepares students who are not yet ready for university and need to improve their English and maths qualifications to at least Level 1. We deliver Pre-Access courses in Health combined Social Work, Business, Administration & Law and Music Technology. Following this course, students are then able to progress on to our Access to Higher Education Diplomas . Subjects include Art & Design, Business and Law, Health Professionals, Music Technology and Social Science. From here our students apply and progress to university.  A new way of learning... Marvel Smith one of our Access Health Study teachers said, "In the years prior to working at AEW, I had worked as a mentor to young people in my community. I have always enjoyed getting young people to a place where they believed they could do the thing they once thought imposs...

The uncertainties in the daily life of my students who have learning disabilities in this current climate with self-isolation and lockdown, is likely to have a much greater effect on them than on most of us. In these times, st aying connected and positive will help t hem to improve their anxiety and their resilience. Like all my colleagues working from home in isolation, I have prepared and sent homework packs to every student. Keeping my students in a routine and studying as if they were in their classroom is the best way to preserve a sense of normality. Students have responded positively and are working towards completing their homework. I nee d to keep up with worksheets as some of them are already requesting more and a second pack is already on its way to their homes. A couple of students have moved to Evesham fo r the duration of the lockdown and they have asked me to send their homewor k to their new address! That's what I call dedication. I have also checked all the birth dates...

I struggle with maths at the best of times so when England came to a standstill I wondered how I would progress. I am currently studying Functional Skills Maths Level 1 at Adult Education Wolverhampton. Our first session during the Coronavirus lockdown left me a little out in the cold, I struggled without the face-to-face direction from our fantastic teacher particularly when tackling a new topic. I can honestly say, "Week one was very challenging. But by Week two, I knew I'd had a breakthrough!" It takes time to organise resources and get used to a new way of teaching and learning but week 2 was great! Learning online in the virtual world of video conferencing is the way forward. I was in my own living room but this week the usual fun and lively dynamic of the class was back. Learning, interacting and laughing with others in my opinion is the very best way forward! This message goes out to all my fellow students. Be patient, give your teacher the credit they deserve they are doing a f...

During the autumn term students studying on the Life Skills, Move On course learnt about the growing need for food banks, and how more people than ever are being forced to use them to help support themselves and their families.  The Trussell Trust, which runs two-thirds of the UK's food banks, reported that it had distributed a record 823,145 food parcels between April and September, including 301,653 that went to children. This was a 23% increase on the same period last year, representing the steepest rise the charity has witnessed since its network of food banks was fully established.  Today in the City of Wolverhampton there are families and single people struggling to buy food and other essentials. For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis can mean going hungry.  In response to this students decided to set up food collection boxed at Adult Education's main site and the Maltings. They collected a wide range of items that they then delivered to the local Charity 'Well...

During this week's lesson, my level 2 Functional Skills English students explored the 'Word of the Week'- EMPOWER. They identified many ways to empower a person; some of the suggestions were: offering to listen, encouraging goal setting, giving someone a voice and being non-judgemental. Making sure a person is given the opportunity of friendship, is included in things, encouraged, supported and complimented will ensure they feel valued and increase their self-confidence. Giving others our time was a key message. Students produced poster to persuade people to take part in voluntary activities around Wolverhampton; the groups focused on: #OrangeWolves #SnowWolves #MolineuxSleepout Many of the students are already involved in volunteering, offering help and support at Prince's Trust, Home Start, The Good Shepherd, The Bike Shed, The Soup Kitchen, Hope into Action and the Building Better Opportunities programme. If you are looking to give some time to help others the students suggest you s...

  Mandy Hadfield designer/maker and painting and drawing teacher at Adult Education Wolverhampton visited the Entry Level 3 ( Setting up a Creative Business) class that is helping students to explore setting up their own small creative business. Each week the sessions explore different aspects of setting up and help students to develop an awareness of their own enterprise skills. Since completing a degree in Three Dimensional Design specialising in glass in 2002, Mandy became a teacher in art and design teaching across a wide variety of courses. Alongside being a teacher Mandy is a practising glass Artist. Mandy's glass work gains inspiration from both nature and her children's artwork giving her work a fun and uplifting feel. Mandy also provides creative based and glass workshops to all ages and abilities sharing her passion for art and design. This week Mandy spoke to a group of aspiring entrepreneurs about her small business and shared some of the facts. She talked about her in...

Each year the Festival of Learning highlights the benefits of learning and celebrates the achievements of adults who through learning have transformed their lives. In October 2019 this year's winners attended a parliamentary reception at Westminster, bringing together winners, parliamentarians and key figures from the education and skills sectors.  Winners from Adult Education Wolverhampton including Seong Chua, who was awarded the English Language Learning Award and Marie Smith who received the Learning for Health Award were invited to the London event. Marie Smith  Going to the parliamentary event shows parliamentarians the importance of funding for adult education. It shows how learning transforms lives not only that of the individual studying but the fantastic impact it has on their family and friends too! I really owe my life to education. It gave me my life back. by Marie Smith In October 2019 I was invited to attend the houses of parliament as part of the Festival...

Raising awareness of Mental Health In recognition of World Mental Health Day, Adult Education Wolverhampton joined local providers to deliver an important message about raising the awareness of Mental Health and promoting the support that is available across Wolverhampton. Adult Education promoted the difference learning can have on an individual and how taking part in in group learning activities can help improve health, wellbeing and enjoyment of life. It was a great day and we met with lots residents thinking of making a new start. We look forward to meeting them again one day soon in our classes. ​A journey... During the event we networked with some of the amazing organisations available in Wolverhampton. We met Kate Penman, one of the Authors of the magazine Collectivism (a collective of voices that authentically represent the city and promote the arts, community groups and charities) who introduced us to the Collectivism Recovery Exhibition. What a fantastic surprise it was to se...

Students studying on the Access to Higher Education (H.E) Health Professionals Diploma hosted a health promotion to fellow students and staff at Adult Education Wolverhampton. As part of the course they were tasked to deliver an event aimed at highlighting issues related to mental and physical health and wellbeing. To do this, students created posters fliers and games around different topics and shared their knowledge with the public.  Marvel Smith, course teacher said, "The group have taken the challenge head on. They have worked hard and produced some good research and resources into which they incorporated their own experiences. It's been a wonderful opportunity for them to experience first-hand what it is like as a health professional to deliver an important health message to the general public."​​ What our Students said...  Fiona and Natalie who delivered information about mental health both said that this part of the course had taught them how to work as part of a team ...

Back in January 2019 students and staff were invited to join 'Health Builder' classes, aimed at improving their health and wellbeing by giving them the chance to take time out for themselves, learn a new practical skill and try something fun. The classes were a big hit with both students and staff. Classes included Creative crafts, cake decorating, flowers arranging and singing. Classes were attended well and students reported that they benefited enormously from attending. What our Students said...  We asked students their reasons for taking part and about the impact it had made to their daily lives. They said they attended to… "Have a break from work at least once a week." "Improve my fitness, to enjoy life more and increase my wellbeing." "Learn a new skill and take time out for myself." "Occupy my mind and brush up my skills." And the impact… "I have learnt lots. I have looked forward to each week and relaxed." "Class has greatly improved my confidence and artistry. Relaxi...

The Level 3 painting and drawing class came together and started their journey of creativity back in April 2016 when they all joined the beginner's art class here art Adult Education. Some joining independently and others progressing from our Like Minds classes aimed to help individuals who are recovering from stress, anxiety or mild depression. Together as a group they went on to complete the NCFE Level 1 Award in Creative Craft in 16-17, the Level 2 in 18/19 and finally completed the Level 3 qualification in July 2019. What did the students learn?    During the process each student learnt to:  use raw materials, tools and equipment in a safe way develop analytical and research skills evaluate their own work, develop ideas and learning through the craft process develop an understanding of health and safety considerations in the craft environment develop an overview of enterprise skills and characteristics present in successful enterprising individuals develop communicat...

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...