The Adult & Community Learning Service in Torfaen covers a very wide range of courses, day schools and clubs in over 22 centres, from Blaenavon in the north to Ponthir in the south of Torfaen. Classes take place in the day and in the evening throughout the borough, so classes are there for you no matter where you live, whether you work or not.
ACL in Torfaen tries to offer day and evening course in as many venues as possible, and the timetable of courses is such that, should you wish to attend more than one class a week in the same subject (e.g. beginners French), you will be able to, providing you can travel to different centres.
The main type of courses offered include:
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Computing - a wide range, from very beginner to level 3 (comparable with GCSE level) to more specialist courses in web page design, networking and Adobe Photoshop.
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Business Courses – Including book keeping and computerised accounts.
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AS Level, GCSEs & pre-GCSE – including English, Maths and Psychology
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Languages - Starting at complete beginner level and progressing to GCSE standard, in European languages such as German, Spanish, French, Italian, Welsh (of course) and British Sign Language.
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Creative Studies – Including art, photography, textiles, flower arranging, pottery, gardening and woodwork.
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Health & Self – Including classes such as Counselling Skills and Stress Management, as well as recognized vocational qualifications such as Diploma in Holistic Massage, and Fitness Instructor
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First Aid and Food Hygiene - Recognized qualifications.
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General Interest - Wide range covering a variety of opportunities to learn music/dance, and courses such as Introduction to bee keeping.
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Day schools – A range of interesting subjects, designed to help you achieve something in a day, as well as giving you a ‘taste’ of adult education.
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Clubs - Such as Bobbin Lace, Bowls Club, Sewing Club, Tap Dancing and Yoga.
Tuition costs generally average £1.15 per hour and a small membership fee and certification costs are added. Concessions are available for those on low incomes or means-tested benefits. The full cost of a 60 hour course is approximately £82.50. There are many courses funded by the European Social Fund which are FREE.
Free courses include:
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Introduction to Computers/Introduction to the Internet.
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GCSE and pre-GCSE English and Maths.
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Parents Plus a variety of classes offering free childcare running alongside the courses.
E-Learning using Moodle portal - an opportunity for students to gain additional practice in their chosen subject between taught sessions.