🧠✨Learning doesn’t just sharpen your skills, it strengthens your mind 🧠✨

The health benefits of lifelong learning are a vital part of our #WEALabs research.

How has lifelong learning positively impacted your wellbeing? Have your say: thewea.info/4dcWFK5

And have now read the book. Such a compelling case and an inspiring call to build a collective voice around better support for the arts. Look forward to exploring the links with colleagues in adult education where the positive benefits of creativity can also be found.
#arts

This is such a good article by Alan Johnson in the FT on our No train, no gain report with Multiverse. Tempting to quote it all but will stick with the para below - cutting skills being 'barmy at the best of times' now my new mantra. Log in to read the rest!

The impact of adult education is much larger than it may seem. Yes, we provide people with skills, but we also...

💼Support people into work
🥰Improve wellbeing
🫶Build communities
🧠Nurture critical thinking

…and much more.

Help us protect adult learning: thewea.info/contactmp

Functional skills for adults are too vital to give up on Axing functional skills requirements for adult apprentices is a big mistake

"We need to be clear about what an apprenticeship is and what it isn’t. It is meant to be a job with substantial training and about your future career not just your current job."

✍️ In @feweek.bsky.social, @stephenevans.bsky.social reflects on the Government's new #apprenticeship reforms.

#NAW2025

Pleased to feature in @newstatesman.com about need to fix the foundations of literacy, numeracy & digital skills, and variations across country. Even more crucial given recent news of more austerity cuts to adult education & likely lowering of English & maths standards in apprenticeships in England

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets Combined authorities told to expect reductions in 'already deeply diminished' adult skills funding

Exclusive: DfE has warned mayors their adult education budgets will be cut as part of government savings

This means £30 million in adult skills and 'free courses for jobs' cuts coming next academic year

feweek.co.uk/fury-as-dfe-...

Basketry woven cigarette cases in cream and brown. Tiny weave. Only 12 x 8 cm. Made in Ceylon (today Sri Lanka) 1920s

Close up of one of the cases in photo 1, showing tiny blue, cream and brown mosaic detail.

Visited ‘Dryad Basketry: A Global Collection at Leicester Art Gallery.

Well curated, setting the (wonderful) collection in the context of Empire, early 20C anthropology & trade exhibitions.

Above all, amazing skill and craft of the weaving/basketry, by largely anonymous makers.

Worth a visit.

Excellent news for Barnsley! 👏

Barnsley Adult Skills and Community Learning service is rated 'OUTSTANDING' in their recent OFSTED inspection! ✨

Check out the full report: reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/42/...

Read more in FE Week: feweek.co.uk/top-ofsted-m...

#Education #OFSTED #Achievement

HOLEX is the lead professional body for Adult Community Education and Learning.

#SpeakUp4AdultEd #AdultLearning

Merry Christmas

TONIGHT!
‘Researching the Opposition to the Civil Rights Movement’
Presented by Dr Bradley Phipps
Free and online 6.15pm
Sign up using to get your joining link
www.tickettailor.com/events/leice...

Great to hear such positive messages about adult education from the minister today. #Speakup4adulted

I started pottery. I knew I’d be rubbish But that was the whole point.

For those who missed it, the column in question…

www.newstatesman.com/culture/life...

There is some fabulous work in this year's @LeicSketchClub exhibition @leicesteradulteducation #leicester #painting