Lifelong Learning - Useful Links

Local Learning

Welcome to the Lifelong Learning Links page. The list has been compiled by Epping Forest Learning Partnership with the aim of providing easier access to information about learning opportunities and sources of advice on education, skills training and leisure learning for young people 16 to 19 and adults of all ages.

As well as learning opportunities in colleges, see below for options for learning in the community, learning from home and learning in informal settings.

Colleges, Schools and other Places of Learning

Further Education College

Epping Forest College: Full-time 16 to 19, part-time courses for adults, vocational training, Higher Education and Access, learndirect centre, etc.

• Link to Epping Forest College website

Adult Community Learning, Essex

The Adult Community Learning Service provides a wide range of high quality part-time courses for adults across Essex. For details on courses, in Epping, Ongar, Waltham Abbey, Harlow, Stansted and Thaxted.

• Link to Adult Community Learning Essex website

These school have sixth forms, providing A levels and / or Vocational courses for 16 to 18 year olds:

• Chigwell School - www.chigwell-school.org
• West Hatch High School - www.westhatch.essex.sch.uk. West Hatch High School also provides some part-time courses for the community.
• Davenant Foundation School - www.davenant.essex.sch.uk

Other Providers

E15 Acting School and Corbett Theatre, University of Essex Acting and Theatre Studies, Undergraduate, Postgraduate  courses, short summer courses.www.east15.ac.uk

Theatre Resource, Arts in health, arts in social care and disability-related arts education projects. Based in Ongar. www.theatre-resource.org.uk

Buckhurst Hill Community Association, Recreational and leisure courses for adults, also languages school www.b-h-c-a.org.uk

Essex Music Schools: Music tuition throughout Essex, centres in Ongar and Epping www.essexcc.gov.uk ; See Essex County Council webpage on “Enjoying Essex – Arts”

Higher Education

Universities and colleges welcome applications from mature students (students entering a part-time or degree programme over the age of 21). In Epping Forest, Higher Education qualifications are offered by Epping Forest College www.epping-forest.ac.uk  (teaching, business and engineering) and E15 Acting School (Acting/Theatre) www.east15.ac.uk.

For a wide range of diplomas, degrees and postgraduate courses, the nearest universities to the Epping Forest area are:

APU, Chelmsford www.apu.ac.uk

University of East London www.uel.ac.uk  

Middlesex University www.mdx.ac.uk

Writtle College provides land-based and animal care courses and is part of the University of Essex. Post 16, Undergraduate and Postgraduate www.writtle.ac.uk

Information on applying to university and details of all Higher Education institutions can be found at www.ucas.ac.uk

Learning in the Community

Essex Libraries:  Books, CDs, videos and DVDs and collections of material in audio format, large print and many languages. One-to-one tution. Learn Direct courses. Computer access including internet, e-mail and on-line tuition. Book Groups for adults and reading activities for parent and children. Mobile Library visits outlying areas - contact Loughton Library for details or search for routes on  Life.

Libraries in the Epping Forest District

To find out about clubs and societies in the local area and elsewhere in Essex, consult the
life information service from Essex County Council database provided by Essex Libraries

www.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries

WEA (Workers’ Educational Association). The largest voluntary provider of adult learning, special interest courses in literature and the arts. Branches in Loughton and Ongar. For details of local groups, check on national website:  www.wea.org.uk

Voluntary Sector Training: Courses offered to volunteers and voluntary organisations.  Works with Voluntary Action Epping Forest.  www.voluntarysectortraining.org.uk

U3A (University of the 3rd Age) Creative and leisure activities for people no longer in full-time employment.   Find out where to locate your local group from www.u3a.org.uk

Countryside Learning

Epping Forest has some unique opportunities for learning in an outdoors environment:

Epping Forest Field Centre www.field-studies-council.org/eppingforest

Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve www.essexwt.org.uk

Local Clubs and Societies

To find out about clubs and societies in the local area and elsewhere in Essex, consult the
life database provided by Essex Libraries at www.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries

Advice on Learning and Careers

Advice on learning can be obtained from a number of sources. Local colleges of further education and adult community colleges are happy to give information and advice to help you choose a suitable course. They will also advise on how to get financial help, where appropriate.

Much information is available from the organisations listed below:

nextstep is a government funded advice service for advice on learning and work The National Helpline Telephone 0800 917 8790 www.essexwaytogo.com

Deptartment for Education and Skills

Advice for people of 19+ on lifelong learning including financial advice
www.lifelonglearning.dfes.gov.uk

Find out about courses in your area, qualifications and general advice. http://www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/fs/en

Connexions Essex, Southend and Thurrock offers advice on careers and learning to young people 13-19 and over 19 with learning difficulties.

The local office is Loughton Connexions Centre, Loughton Central Library, Traps Hill, Loughton, IG10 1HD.

Telephone: 020 8532 5120
www.estconnexions.co.uk

Learning from Home

Learn Direct Flexible on-line courses www.learndirect.co.uk

Open University, Distance Learning, degrees and short courses www.open.ac.uk

BBC Learning Zone Details of educational programmes and on-line learning www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/

Disclaimer: Please be advised Epping Forest District Council and Epping Forest Learning Partnership are not responsible for any content accessed through links to external websites.