Councillors at Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities committee have today (9 March) confirmed that fees for award-winning community learning programmes for adults, delivered by Inspire Learning, will not be increased for the academic year 2022/23. Future plans were also approved, including investment in programmes at Stapleford, the development of college courses for young people at Newark Buttermarket and YMCA activity village, and a new centre for young people in Arnold.

This marks a second year of no increase in fees for adult learning since 2018. There will also be provision to waive fees for some learners, such as those who are in receipt of certain benefits.

 

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

“The decision not to increase fees will allow many more learners to take part in a variety of courses over the next academic year. I am delighted that we can continue to offer award-winning community learning, as well as investing in improving what is on offer.

“These courses are so valuable to such a wide range of residents and members of our community, offering career development and increasing employability which are so vital after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on many peoples’ working lives.

“I look forward to seeing lots of exciting opportunities for learners throughout the year ahead.”

Callum Winterton joined Inspire aged 16 as a student, having left school unsure about what he wanted to do. Callum is now employed by Inspire as a Learning Support Assistant. Callum was studying with Inspire throughout the pandemic, he said:

“I was 16 when I joined Inspire, I didn’t know what I was going to do. The prospect of a GCSE in Maths seemed an unreachable target and I always said it would take a miracle to get me over the line. With the help of my tutor, I passed with a grade 5! I cannot thank my tutor enough. All the lessons were different with a new challenge every week. They were fun and enjoyable, which is one of the reasons I managed to achieve my goals.

“During the pandemic I never thought I would be sat doing college work at home, surrounded by dogs, literally working on the kitchen table. Inspire were really helpful and supportive sending out brand new laptops. We had teams calls every Monday and Wednesday mornings and even though we weren’t in the building just down the road we were still active, we were all still talking with lots of opportunity to speak to each other and stay connected. It was really good. I had regular messages too making sure I was ok and asking if I needed help with anything.

“I did a few courses with Inspire and when the role of Learning Support Assistant came up I thought it would be good to apply so I could help others that were in my position. I’m now working at Inspire as a Learning Support Assistant and I’m able to give something back.”

 

Ian Bond, Director for Learning at Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries, said:

“We are thrilled at the decision not to increase the cost of our adult learning courses so we can continue to offer high quality, affordable, and flexible learning opportunities, during what is still a difficult time for many.

“Approval of our strategic aims and objectives for the next academic year presents us with exciting opportunities for development and growth.

“We will focus funding on supporting those who are disadvantaged and least likely to participate in learning programmes, with an emphasis on supporting Nottinghamshire residents to respond to the current economic and well-being challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes community learning programmes aimed at employability, health and wellbeing, family learning and learning opportunities for people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD).

“We also have plans for improvements to our services in Broxtowe, Gedling and Newark, where we will invest in existing and new provision for young people.” 

During the pandemic Inspire Learning moved to 100% remote delivery in line with government guidelines and offered most courses free of charge to support personal, social, educational and economic wellbeing. Many courses currently remain free or with reduced fees.

Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in the academic year 2020/21, Inspire Learning saw numerous successes. The programmes recruited 221 16/19 year-old students, with an 80.4% achievement rate against a national benchmark of 82.6%* and a 70% progression rate.

There were also 2,727 ESFA-funded community and family learning learners (representing 49.8% of the annual target), with an achievement rate of 96.4% (direct delivery) despite a reduction in recruitment due to the impact of the pandemic on the spring and summer terms of 202/21 academic year.

*National Benchmarks were not published for the 2019/20 academic year due to Covid-19 so 2018/19 National Benchmarks have been applied

ENDS