Getting back into learning

Taking the first steps to learning can be a big challenge. We can help you overcome barriers in our safe, friendly learning environment, one step at a time.

Our welcome courses are designed to help you discover what it is you need to work on, what skills you already have, and how you can make time for learning in your life.

We have a range follow on courses that are designed to increase your confidence, help create a positive mindset or improve resilience. This learning will help you to build firm foundations for your next steps into learning or work.

Skills for everyday life courses

Do you ever feel left behind because you don't have the maths, English or digital skills to manage everyday challenges? Our courses can help you meet these challenges head on and allow you to remain in control of your everyday life.

We offer courses ranging from entry level to level 2 in the following subjects:

• English
• maths
• digital skills
• English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)

Skills for work courses

Qualifications in maths, English and digital skills can really help you to get into work or to progress at work.  We offer courses at a range of levels in all of these subjects.

We also have courses to help you get a role in health and social care, as a teaching assistant, or in the early years sector.

Talk to us about what you've done already and what you want to achieve so we can work out the best option for you.

Taster sessions

Explore what it’s like to learn with us at one of our weekly taster sessions. You’ll get to meet our team, try out different skills and learning activities and find the right fit for you.

Support while you learn

When you're learning with us we'll make sure you get all the support you need. We'll listen and respond to any challenges you're having, from the time you contact us to ask about a course, to your last day. It's crucial to us all that you feel safe and supported as you learn and achieve.

If you need extra support with your learning please tell us. We'll complete an assessment to see what help we can offer you. We may be able to give you access to an education support worker, equipment or assistive technology to make learning easier for you. We can also support you with extra help in exams, such as extra time, a reader or scribe, or specialist equipment.

Help with books, travel or childcare costs

If you want to join a course but you're worried that you can't afford to pay for books, travel or childcare, you may be able to apply for help towards these costs.

Pastoral mentors

We understand that doing something new is exciting but sometimes it can be stressful. You may be worrying how you can organise your time, if you'll fit in, or if you have the courage to start a course.

If you're worried or feel stressed about starting a course, we can put you in touch with our pastoral mentor. They'll support you with:

• any worries you have about how you're going to learn with us
• overcoming anxiety and low confidence and deal with the fear of starting a new activity
• organising your time and staying on track to achieve

If you're worried about something affecting your learning

You can talk to any member of staff about issues that are worrying you and affecting your learning. These could include things such as:

• domestic abuse
• sexual and physical abuse
• emotional and financial abuse
• hate crime
• modern slavery

If you tell us about these we'll make sure you're given information to support you and help you contact other services.

Paying for a course

Some of our courses have a fee, but if you're on a low income, unemployed or on means-tested benefits you probably won't have to pay or may at least get a discount.

If you do have to pay you might be able to pay in instalments. Just ask us when you enrol.

If you're interested in learning or developing your skills but are put off because you might have to pay, please get in touch. We can explain everything to you and if learning with us isn't the right choice for you, we can put you in touch with other services.

How to pay

If you have to pay a fee, you'll receive an invoice in the post once you've enrolled. You can pay this online by debit or credit card, or over the phone by calling our automated payment line on 01226 775445.

The invoice will contain the reference number that you'll need to quote. 

Tell us what you think 

We welcome your feedback, including any compliments, complaints or general comments you have about learning with us. You can tell us your views by:

• talking to someone in our team or emailing adultlearning@barnsley.gov.uk
• filling in one of our postcards found in reception and in your classroom
• submitting a complaint or compliment online
• attending one of our learner feedback hub sessions which are held across the year