to be shocked at the demise of adult education?

[Goldfsh]

Now I have an empty nest, I was hoping to start some adult education classes in academic topics that interest me, e.g. history or literature.

Having contacted the two local colleges who used to drop brochures for adult classes through the door, I've learnt that they don't exist any more!

There are some online classes, or courses to get back into work, and some painting type classes - or U3A if you are semi-retired (I am far from that unfortunately!). But no general education classes.

I found this very depressing. I really wanted to learn something new and connect with local people too. AIBU to be shocked that these sorts of classes are a thing of the past?

The thing is with online is that it’s easy to give up. I’ve tried online this, that and the other… but it’s solitary . Even if you’re not out to make friends or even just have a bit of a chat, being in a room with others makes you pay attention and see how you’re getting on.

I’m not really a crafts sort of person, but I did attend a one-day pottery thing, but people had gone in twos or threes as friends, so I felt like a right Charlie sitting on my own.

I wondered if that would be the case with the one off crafts events @MaturingCheeseball. I’ve seen quite a lot advertised, but I worry every one else would be with their friends and I would look like Billie-no-mates.

I will add again in case anyone didn’t see my previous post that if anyone is in the West Midlands area and can access central Birmingham, the Brasshouse centre at the main library is brilliant for languages at various levels. Mostly evenings but a few day time. Cost is £140 per 10 week term.

It's usually only English and Maths that can be taken when you are older. There are many teens with physical or mental health difficulties who may be academically capable of a full range of GCSEs but unable to sit them when they are 16. The opportunities to study for GCSEs later are very limited.

16-19 year olds can do other GCSEs or equivalent like btec at 6th Form or colleges.
If it all goes horribly wrong in Year 11 then there's 3 more years of education available to do some Level 2 (GCSE etc) subjects. The theory is unless there's extreme circumstances or SEN then no one should get to 19 without having any GCSEs.
That's why the need for GCSEs as night classes really isn't there anymore.
(Edit : if they have a EHCP then education can continue for free up to age 25)

Must be area-dependent then as I have researched this extensively due to my DC's difficulties attending school and there are no providers that offer GCSE courses other than English or Maths post-16. There are level 2 BTEC courses in some colleges but if she wants to do the traditional 8 or 9 GCSEs, just in a delayed time frame, the only option I have found is self-study via distance learning.

GCSEs are just one type of Level 2 qualifications.
Colleges tend to offer the alternatives (btec etc) because they often appeal to those who couldn't cope with the formal very academic GCSEs.
Unfortunately colleges don't have the funding (or probably student numbers) to offer a typical full set of GCSEs.
My daughter is 17. She doesn't have any GCSEs (Mix of autism and Anxiety Based School Refusal).
Our aim is for her to do the English and Maths GCSEs in the next couple of years but I don't expect colleges to be able to offer the ones usually taken in Year 11.
They just can't do it.

This was the OFSTED era - when even non exam, leisure courses had to demonstrate students improved their economic standing and employability. Totally daft and I have tales to tell.

Fortunately OFSTED are no longer interested with the change in funding so no one has to fill in any aims or objectives.

Yes, I think you've got a point there @Vroomfondleswaistcoat

I also was pondering like @OnlyFangs that I've done training, I've got an assortment of topics I could lecture about... but it's something more than that with a formal learning environment. Without the teacher figure I think it would turn into chaotic middle aged women knocking back wine. Not my vibe.

See also creative writing groups, which can devolve into the person with the loudest voice being rude about everyone else's offerings.

I would say that that is very good news because, as I said upthread, doing a pottery class for enjoyment did not lend itself to having to write mission statements about how you were going to use it to progress in life.

However it appears to be a moot point now as such classes seem to have disappeared.

I did drop out of silversmithing when OFSTED got involved, we did very little actual work at the end and we were meant to spend our time doing research and writing. Some people had attended for a decade and just got on with their own projects with help from the teacher.

I also suspect it’s part of the reason so many more people have become isolated, lonely, anxious and depressed.

Are you in West Sussex too, @XenoBitch, or do we reckon this experience is country-wide now?

No, I am in Wiltshire.

Fine in theory. But what about reality? What about people who got basic "passes" in their GCSE's but need higher grades to access professional body entry schemes? What about people without A levels who find they need them in later life? What about mature people wanting a career change and finding they need different GCSE's/A levels? You can't write off entire generations on the grounds that "they should have got their GCSE's before they were 19!".

I looked at the possibilitynof doing an Alevel just for fun, or somethjng through OU, and was really shocked at the cost

The reality is the funding needs to focus on those students.
Currently schools are underfunded. SEN schools especially (there isn't even enough of them).
Those who are struggling in school, missing school, have SEN - they NEED the funding before they reach 19. They need that help then.
Unfortunately the pot of money isn't enough for both helping those who are actually school age and need that help/support plus adults who want to study something for "fun". In a perfect world we would have both. But currently we simply can't afford both.
The priority needs to be those currently in school (or not if they can't cope there) to stop them falling through the net and being left behind.
My daughter is 17. She has no GCSEs. Maybe I am selfish but I would like the funding to go towards students like her - not some bored adults who want to do some classes for the fun of it.
Also no one needs a career change. They want one.

"Also no one needs a career change. They want one."

Actually lots of us will shortly be needing career changes @Needmorelego due to AI taking out vast numbers of jobs (current estimates around one million jobs - plenty have already gone in the sector I work in). Lots of us are finding the skills that paid our bills for thirty years are fuck-all use in the next ten or twenty.

Ok that's a valid point.
We need more vocational skills being taught in general (for both school age teens and adults) so if any funding is increased that should be what's offered.
I would be ok with funding for adults if it's to gain a specific qualification leading to a specific job.
But conversational Spanish, pottery and creative writing - sorry no. The government doesn't need to fund that.

I disagree TBH because I think the wider benefits are more than "just learning" - but I've already made that point.

Regarding career changes and skills shortages - there's definitely a need for this. I've been attending a few conferences recently where certain sectors (e.g. green energy) have a desperate staff shortage - but they are just after teenagers, not middle-aged women who need a new challenge. There's no way in for most of us!!

Bread and roses

@Goldfsh my point is - which I have said several times on this thread - that although formal classes don't seem to exist in colleges anymore there is actually so much out there in other forms.
Community classes, groups or societies.
Private tutors. Online learning.

Have you tried the skills connect website? All the south west WEMCA region colleges post their adult courses on there.

Funding is an issue, as is eligibility for course funding and evidence to show progression and positive destinations for funding audits. That leaves you with putting on leisure courses which aren’t funded, and therefore cost a large amount.

Not sure where specifically in the SW you are, but Bristol council holds a funding pot for adult courses as does the Well-being Community Hub in Bath. Bath College run leisure and funded provision as does SGS.

It's so sad. It says a lot about how we value education as a society.

I went to adult education in my twenties, after finishing my degree, and managed to get a few certificates that I later went on to use, and that got me better jobs. I've checked over the years what else is available, as I'd love to continue learning, and it doesn't seem to exist anymore. I can't believe such a crucial thing has been quietly rescinded.