To ask if and where there are courses for GCSE for adults that are free?

[hellokittymania]

I was told that literacy and math are free, but considering that I have absolutely no GCSC and I have learning difficulties, so I really need to be able to attend class physically, I don’t even know where to start with this? I intend to try again with higher education, and I am also trying to look for grants to pay for it, since I lost a lot of money with the course last year. I won’t stop trying, no matter how long it takes. Anyway, if somebody can tell me if I can take GCS is for free, or a level, I would greatly appreciate. I am trying still to get an assessment for learning difficulties, since it really would have helped me last year.

Maths and English gcse are available free mainly through FE colleges, although some charities also get government funding through the Skills Funding Agency and can offer classes in the community or via support groups. Try contacting your local college for advice.

Thank you, I’m not going to give up.

You might not be eligible for funding. Am I right that you've been living abroad? (Vietnam?)
Only people from certain countries (i.e. EEA) can get funding for courses in this way. People arriving from countries such as Vietnam or USA wouldn't be eligible- there's a three year residency qualifying period.

Hi, I’m British, and I finally have been living here for over three years now, so I am eligible for things like the S a, or other funding. I don’t know where to look for other funding though.

FE college or council community learning. My local college does GCSE maths and English for adults - pretty sure it is free if you don't already have a qualification at that level.
Doing that, then an Access course and then uni is quite a common scenario.

I know a lot of middle-aged adults who have been diagnosed with dyslexia or similar only on their return to study at which point support can be put in place.

Consider checking if your local authority offer community based classes. I am a learning support worker with my local authorities adult education organisation, I regularly support students with physical, emotional or learning difficulties in the classroom on a group or 1-1 basis.

Maths and literacy classes are free up to functional skills level 2. We hold classes in children's centres (not only for people who have young children) and community centres as well as council run buildings.

Anyone hoping to enrol on our courses would sit a diagnostic assessment and discuss which level class would be appropriate.

We do offer GCSE but that is at a cost. Many of our students go into access courses at university after completing functional skills.

Have a look at Functional skills. It is free and a good starting point if you want to do GCSE but haven't done any maths or English for a while.

Dad’s big sausages, what exactly do I need to ask for? Do I just call the local education authority and ask for community-based classes? Is the local education authority the right place to call? Or just the local college?

And another thing, these functional skills classes, or colleges, by any slight chance do they do assessments for learning difficulties? I’m having huge trouble in getting an assessment.

www.skillsnetwork.com

They do up to level 5 in vocational qualifications - many of them are free. They are centred round Health and Social Care though

Some local authorities now subcontract their adult ed provision but their website should signpost you to the relevant provider ie. FE college or charity if so. You could also google your local college, they will have on site learning support and may have an open day before September aimed at adults.

Yes they can screen for learning difficulties if you ask.

OK, thank you.

You should be able to find the provider on your council website under adult services. My manager does help students with no evidence of their learning support needs (many mature learners who can't convince a doctor to refer them for testing).

We will provide support based on our own evaluation and not from a learner having written medical evidence, but the medical evidence is often needed to access extra time/readers/scribes/pc use in exams.

Dad sausages, yes, this is where I’m having a lot of trouble. On a side note, I made my first claim for a PIP today, and I didn’t realize that the residency for that is now three years also. Good thing I waited. Anyway, slowly but surely I am getting everything I need.

The Open University allows you to study for a degree without GCSEs or A Levels. You could get a student loan for this too.

Duke, I’m trying to attend physical classes so I don’t have the same problems I had last year. I also lost quite a lot of money since I was kicked off my course. I don’t want to take a chance with student loans. Plus I would be extremely worried about not being able to pay them back.

www.theskillsnetwork.com

Working link to the website NewYearNewMe18 helpfully posted- thanks.

Www.vision2learn.com offer free courses, although you may have to wait for a course to become available

It would be sensible to start with level 2 courses to build up you confidence in the basics and develop study skills before committing to higher level.