WEA Scotland

Mission Statement

The WEA exists primarily to provide adults with access to organised learning which develops intellectual understanding and social or collective responsibility.

What the organisation is about

The WEA makes a unique contribution to lifelong learning in Scotland in being a national provider of community based adult learning, with an average course enrolment annually of around 15,000 enrolments. Classes organised from 10 area offices are provided in over 300 localities across Scotland each year. Priority in the allocation of resources is given to overcoming the barriers to learning experienced by educationally, socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

Annual Report 2004-5

The WEA Scottish Association Annual Report and Accounts are available from WEA, Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG. 0131 226 3456.

Aims

WEA offers educational opportunities for:

Adults who wish to return to education to pick up skills or knowledge not learned during the school years.

Men and women who wish to continue learning throughout life.

Collective bodies and groups such as trade unions, community and voluntary organisations who wish to put education to social use.

Particular attention is given to the needs of those adults who have experienced barriers to learning as a result of economic circumstance, social isolation, limited confidence, low self-esteem or lack of educational opportunity.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Worker’s Educational Association is the largest voluntary sector provider of workplace and community based adult education in Scotland. 

Founded in 1903 the first WEA activity in Scotland took place in 1905 in Springburn, Glasgow.

Currently the WEA in Scotland provides:

• 1000 classes annually, with
• 15,000 enrolments,
• classes taking place in 320 localities in rural and urban Scotland.
• The WEA support 7 local units and 28 branches,
• employs 65 staff, and
• 300 tutorial staff.

45% of the work is now work place learning including:

• Return to Learn in every NHS Trust in Scotland in partnership with UNISON and with support from NHSScotland
• Return to Learn for Social Care workers needing to brush up on their skills before studying for vocational qualifications
• 10 work place literacy staff are engaged in persuading employers to release staff to develop their reading, writing and numeracy skills at work
• Job Rotation, a unique model for lifelong learning to help unemployed people gain paid work, while creating opportunities for workers to be released for training

55% Community Learning, examples:

• Child Development and Parenting skills
• Scottish Culture – what does that mean in a diverse society
• Community Training, tailor-made self-help groups or campaigning groups
• Social and political studies e.g. environmental studies, global issues, poverty, etc
• Learning through the arts

Features of the WEA's Work

Particular features of the WEA approach to the provision of learning opportunities for adults include.

valuing and making use of students' life experience;

involving students in organising provision and planning their own learning;

targeting students who have benefited least from the education system and from opportunities for further and higher education;

collaborating with other organisations and agencies to meet the needs of adult learners for educational guidance, equal access to provision, and for relevant, progressive and accredited learning opportunities;

offering high quality learning experiences, underpinned by regular monitoring and evaluation of the programme;

providing staff development opportunities for professional staff and training for voluntary members;

promoting and supporting the voluntary movement by which the Association governs itself and decides its future strategy;

operating nationally and locally, the WEA is organised to locate and respond to the present and future needs of adult learners. Its voluntary structure and flexibility of response are invaluable in achieving its aims and objectives. Its national dimension uniquely enables the building of relevant operational experience.

PROGRAMME RANGE

Target Group

WEA Scotland continued to give priority in the allocation of its resources to meeting the needs of adults with few or no educational qualifications. In particular:

• Unemployed men and women including the homeless
• Men and women who are unwaged or low paid
• Older adults, including those in residential care

People with special educational needs including adults with learning difficulties, those experiencing or recovering from mental health problems, adults with physical disabilities

• Members of ethnic minority communities
• Local community organisations
• Members of trade unions
• Isolated rural groups

Class programme by curriculum area

The WEA provides a distinctive contribution to adult education services across Scotland. Its work falls into the following broad categories.

Social Studies aim to promote social and collective responsibility and an understanding or society.

• Women's Education
• Parenting Skills
• Health Education
• Carers Courses
• Environmental Studies
• Contemporary Scottish Politics
• Democracy and Citizenship
• Local History
• Current Affairs
• Reminiscence
• Media Studies
• Economics
• Multicultural Education
• Preparation for Retirement
• Social History
• Boosting Parental Participation
• European Studies in Schools

Workplace Learning

• Training Needs Analysis
• Mentoring
• Job Rotation

Training for Tutors in adults learning methods and subject areas, both for our own tutors and for other providers.

• Initial Training Programme
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Training Strategy
• How Adults Learn

Return to Study courses use a range of topics relevant to individual groups to build confidence.

• Understanding Science
• Stress Management
• Options and Choices
• Self Defence and Personal Safety for Women
• Local Investigations
• Introduction to Computers
• Enterprising Women
• SQA Communications
• New Opportunities for Women
• Basic Skills
• Preparing for Work
• Maths
• Work Experience
• Guidance
• Return to Study
• Personal Development Skills
• Study Skills
• Introduction to Counselling
• Presentation Skills
• Assertiveness
• Interview Skills
• Confidence Building
• Investigation Skills

Pre-Vocational & Pre-Access focuses on general transferable vocational skills.

• Introduction to Computers
• SQA Guidance
• Communications
• SQA Local Investigations
• Counselling
• Workplace Education
• Research Skills
• Trade Union Education

SQA Communications

Community Training supports the work of communities and the voluntary sector by providing training through individually designed enabling courses, including training for Community Counsellors, Housing Association Members and Trade Unionists.

• Training Needs Analysis
• Adult Learning Methods
• Counselling and Communication
• Personal, Social and Life Skills
• Body Language and Listening Skills
• Writing a Constitution
• Negotiation and Campaigning
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Committee Skills
• Community Journalism
• Team Building
• Tutor Training in Reminiscence Work
• Report Writing
• Policy Development
• Minute Taking
• Development Planning
• Public Speaking
• ESF Regulation Compliance
• First Aid
• Development, a project proposal
• Tutor Training
• Managing ESF Projects
• Training the Trainers
• Interview and Recruitment
• Race Awareness
• Training Policy and Practice
• Credit Union Training

Liberal Studies develop critical skills and extend access to the study.

• Geology
• Architecture
• Earth Science
• Theatre - Dramatic Arts
• Psychology
• Connecting to Music
• Philosophy
• Opera Appreciation
• International Dancing
• Art Appreciation
• Scottish Literature
• Archaeology
• Scottish Painting
• Theology
• European Studies

Community Arts encourage self expression and confidence through the development of creative skills.

• Writers Workshops
• Potting
• Creative Writing
• Music Workshops
• Drama Workshops
• Banner making
• Drawing and Painting
• Needlework Crafts
• Printmaking
• Photography
• Sculpting

Retirement Education promotes learning throughout life, and equality of opportunity for older adults, throughout the whole curriculum.

• Living Memory History and Reminiscence
• Living in Retirement Study Groups
• 50+ Guidance Courses
• Preparation for Retirement
• Planning for Change
• Health Education
• Educational Guidance
• New Opportunities
• Money Management
• Consumer Rights
• Welfare Rights