Adult Learning and Skills Service

Providing enjoyable, successful learning opportunities
for adults, employers and the community

First and only local authority Adult Education provider in London to receive Beacon status

'Promoting and Pursuing Excellence'

[From left to right: Lisa Lamb, Exam's Officer, H&F Adult Learning and Skills Service; Penny Asumang, H&F Adult Learning and Skills Service; Robert Raven, Head of H&F Adult Learning and Skills Service; Dame Ruth Silver, chair of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service; Hazel Mayor, student of H&F Adult Learning and Skills Service; Eamon Scanlon, Deputy Head of H&F Adult Learning and Skills Service; Kasia Kwiatecka, student of H&F Adult Learning and Skills Service]

Hammersmith and Fulham Adult Learning and Skills Service became the first and only local authority adult education provider in London to achieve Beacon status for adult learning on 8^th December 2010. The accolade was given by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) at an awards ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.

Beacon status is only awarded to exemplary learning providers 'who promote and pursue excellence', and is based on inspection reports and other professional feedback. The service was given a glowing Ofsted report in the summer of 2010, with many areas achieving the highest grade of 'outstanding'.

Dame Ruth Silver, chair of LSIS, presented the award to members of staff and adult learners who have been on courses arranged by the council. She said:

'All of the Beacon winners are doing a magnificent job in helping learners of all ages to achieve their full potential.'

Dame Ruth Silver, chair of LSIS

 

'Learning as an adult, whilst immensely rewarding, is often not easy and therefore I am delighted that the achievements and considerable hard work by all the service's staff and learners has been nationally recognised; a real success.'

Robert Raven, Head of Adult Learning and Skills Service

 

Hazel Mayor, who went on a course at the Macbeth Centre in Hammersmith, was a guest at the event. She was made redundant eariler this year but after taking part in a mentoring scheme through the Adult Learning and Skills programme, she applied for a job and now works for the borough. Hazel said: 'Being unemployed was very stressful and the course not only gave me new skills and a new direction but restored my confidence. I loved every minute of the course, it was like a breath of fresh air and made me think and use my brain in a new way. I learnt many new skills, not least, how to actively listen. My story has a happy ending and it is good to be back at work. I think adult education classes are invaluable and I will continue to study part-time in the evening.'

Ex-student Kasia Kwiatecka was working in London as an au pair and in coffee shops. She really wanted to improve her prospects. After studying English for Speakers of Other Languages, (ESOL), and Childcare, she managed to pass levels 1 and 2 in literacy as well as the childcare course in only one year. Kasia said: 'The teachers were extremely supportive and encouraged me to progress to the level 2 course. Although it was hard work, I was determined to do well and after completing the level, got a job in a nursery. At this time, the nursery allowed me to continue my studies one and a half days per week, and I gained a CACHE Level 3 qualification in Childcare. Four years of juggling work and studying were very challenging, but I now have a job as a crèche co-ordinator at Old Oak Community and Children's Centre in Hammersmith and Fulham, and I absolutely love it. I was honoured to attend the award ceremony because I think the classes were brilliant. All the staff were supportive and encouraging and helped me build a really positive future career. It was a very challenging four years, but well worth it.'

The Adult Learning and Skills Service provides courses from the Macbeth Centre in Macbeth Street, Hammersmith, as well as in schools and community centres across the borough. There are more than 8,660 part-time adult learners of all ages studying in the borough's centres, along with courses for some 14-19 year-olds.

For more information, call: 0845 839 7912