Wokingham Borough Connect
It’s September, the start of a new school year and exciting new beginnings!
We too are excited to launch our new programme of courses happening this autumn. We have a range of courses on offer including digital skills, skills for work, family learning as well as our two new courses introducing you to primary school maths.
With so much on offer, you are bound to find something that you like.
The next few weeks of courses are below but you can also check out our website to find out about other future courses or enrol on one of our waiting lists.
Maths for ESOL
Building your confidence in the English used for maths terms can help with improving your overall English and can help with work or life in the UK.
After an initial tutor led interactive session, you’ll have access to an online course which you can work through at your own pace and focus on areas you’d like to improve. A follow up session with a tutor is available for those who would like one.
Help with your Maths
Refresh the basic maths skills which are used in everyday life and work, including fractions, percentages, ratios, probability and lots more. The course will help you assess your current skill level and identify areas you can improve your maths skills further.
After an initial tutor led interactive session, you’ll have access to an online course which you can work through at your own pace and focus on areas you’d like to improve. A follow up session with a tutor is available for those who would like one.
Unlocking the Numbers - Business Maths for Beginners
- 11 September to 2 October, Wednesdays, 7pm to 8.30pm, online via Zoom
- Free course
- Apply here
This course will support learners to understand the financial terms used in businesses. You will explore the different maths calculations used in financial information and look at key topics such as applying a discount or mark up on goods, several types of interest, fixed and variable costs and how this is captured in a business plan, as well as stock management within a business setting. This is suitable for anyone who may be starting up a new business, wishes to feel more confident with numbers used within business or those wishing to practice these skills for their day-to-day job, or to upskill to apply for a new job or voluntary role.
Build your confidence to get back into work or volunteering
- 11 September to 2 October, Wednesdays, 10.30am to 12pm, online via Zoom
- Free course
- Apply here
Getting into work or volunteering after a break for any reason, or for the first time in a new country, can be daunting. This course will help you to identify all the strengths and qualities you have that employers want and look at ways to expand your experience through volunteering or further learning while building your confidence to take the next steps.
Introduction to being a Teaching Assistant and Working in Schools
- 12 September to 10 October, Thursdays, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, Maiden Place Community Centre, Lower Earley
- £40 - free to those on jobseeking benefits or low incomes
- Apply here
Find out more about different roles available in schools and gain an understanding of how to apply for roles. Explore your own strengths and weaknesses in your transferable skills and build your confidence to apply for roles in schools.
Maths for the Workplace
Refresh your basic work maths skills with our online courses for specific industries including construction, health and social care, hair and beauty, business and administration, sport, and hospitality and catering.
After an initial tutor led interactive session, you’ll have access to an online course which you can work through at your own pace and focus on areas you’d like to improve. A follow up session with a tutor is available for those who would like one.
Excel for Beginners
- 16 September to 28 October, Mondays, 10.15am to 12.15pm, Wokingham Library (please note there will be no sessions on 14 and 21 October)
- £30 - free to those on jobseeking benefits or low incomes
- Apply here
Learn to use and create simple spreadsheets. Gain confidence in entering and sorting data and discover how you can use Excel for basic data and budgets.
Word for Work
- 16 September to 28 October, Mondays, 1pm to 3pm, Wokingham Library (please note there will be no sessions on 14 and 21 October)
- £30 - free to those on jobseeking benefits or low incomes
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Apply here
Learn how to turn your basic understanding of word processing into the everyday Word skills that employers are looking for.
Excel for Budgeting
- 18 September, Wednesday, 10am to 12pm, Wokingham Library
- Free course
- Apply here
Have you thought about using Excel for your own personal budgeting purposes? Learn how to manage what you spend against your income or budget using basic formatting and maths functions in Excel. This is aimed at people with a basic knowledge of using Excel.
Introduction to Working in Care or the NHS
- 18 September to 23 October, Wednesdays, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, FBC Centre, Finchampstead
- £40 or free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
- Apply here
Interested in working in the NHS or in the care sector? This course will look at different roles available and explore ways of gaining transferable skills or experience to start working in these sectors.
Terrific Timestables
- 19 September, Thursdays, 9.30am to 11.30am, FBC Centre, Finchampstead
- Free course
- Apply here
Gain confidence in how to support your children with learning their timestables and the fun ways you can support them at home. Discover the different methods taught in school and expectations for each year group including the year 4 national timestables test.
Every Penny Counts (Money Management)
- 23 September to 14 October, Mondays, 7pm to 8.30pm, online via Zoom
- Free course
- Apply here
Do you need help with your household budgeting? This course supports you to understand household spending and introduces the basics of managing a household budget. It looks at the value of planning in advance, considers typical spending habits as well how to assess promotions and deals.
Help your Child with Maths
Refresh your own maths skills while gaining confidence in how to support your children with their own maths learning. Starting with an initial tutor led session, you’ll then have access to an online learning platform which covers school years 3 to 7 - you can choose which content is appropriate for you. A follow up session with a tutor is available for those who would like one.
Settling in to Secondary School
- 24 September to 1st October, Tuesdays, 7.30pm to 9pm, online via Zoom
- £15 or free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
- Apply here
Aimed at parents of students who have moved from primary school to secondary school in Autumn 2024, this course looks at the transition from a practical and emotional standpoint and considers issues students may be having to deal with during the start of their time at Secondary school. The course will be particularly helpful for parents who are unfamiliar with the British school system as well as those whose child has been anxious around the move. The course looks at how secondary schools work and discusses issues around practical organisation, friendship issues, and managing anxiety. Parents and carers of children who are in Year 6 may also find the course useful in terms of preparation for the move in 2025.
Fun with Time
- 26 September, Thursday, 9.30am to 11.30am, School Green Centre, Shinfield
- Free course
- Apply here
Gain confidence in how to support your children with telling the time and the fun ways you can support their learning at home. Discover the different methods used to teach time in school and the expectations of each year group.
Building Resilience in your Child
- 1st October to 8th October, Tuesdays, 7pm to 8.30pm, online via Zoom
- £15 or free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
- Apply here
Coping with emotions is important for happiness and wellbeing. Help your child recognise, understand and accept feelings and to express them in appropriate ways. Learn to help your primary school aged child to deal with negative feelings and cope with stressful life events over a 2 session course.
Digital Skills - First Steps in iPads and Internet
- 2 October to 30 October, Wednesdays, 10am to 12pm, The Cornerstone, Wokingham (please note there will be no session on 16 October)
- £30 - free to those on jobseeking benefits or low incomes
- Apply by calling 0118 974 3797 or online here
Get started with your iPad and gain confidence using it and the internet. The course covers settings, connecting securely to a wi-fi network, swipe actions and the virtual keypad, using the App Store and internet browser. Learners do not need to bring their own device.
Understanding Teenage Anxiety
- 3 October to 10 October, Thursday, 7.30pm to 9pm, online via Zoom
- £15 or free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
- Apply here
Aimed at parents of secondary school pupils, this course looks at how anxiety presents in teenagers, and techniques that can be used to reduce its impact. The course aims to help you develop a selection of coping strategies as well as giving you a better understanding of the causes of teenage anxiety and ways of building resilience.
Social Media for Job Searching
- 9 October, Wednesday 10.30am to 1pm, online via Zoom
- £10 or free to those on jobseeking benefits or low incomes
- Apply here
Learn how you can use social media as a research tool, to find jobs and look for opportunities within the local area. Gain confidence in using Facebook groups and following useful social media threads or sites. Explore networking on LinkedIn and finding video tutorials and support on social media sites.
Introduction to Reception and KS1 Maths
- 10 October, Thursday, 9.30am to 12.30pm, School Green Centre, Shinfield
- Free course
- Apply here
Gain confidence in supporting your child with their maths learning in Reception to Year 2. Covering the key maths language, techniques and skills your child will be taught during maths lessons including the ways you can support your children at home. This course is practical with plenty of resources your child will be using at school for you to explore.
Introduction to KS2 Maths
- 14 October, Monday, 9.30am to 12.30pm, The Cornerstone, Wokingham
- Free course
- Apply here
Gain confidence in supporting your child with their maths learning in KS2 (Year 3- Year 6). Covering the key language, techniques and skills your child will be taught during maths lessons, including the ways you can support your children at home. This course is practical with plenty of resources your child will be using for you to explore including information covering the end of KS2 SATs.
Eligibility and costs
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To be eligible for Adult Education courses, you need to:
Live or work within the Wokingham Borough, or have a child attending a Wokingham school,
- AND be over 19 years old (as of 31st August 2024)
- AND be a UK or Irish citizen or a non-UK national with permission to live in the UK and have ordinarily been resident in the UK for at least 3 years
All Ukrainian adults and their family members supported through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are immediately eligible for courses and are exempt from the 3-year residency requirement.
Learners with a BN(O) visa are eligible to apply for Community Learning courses immediately.
There are a number of other exemptions including those for some asylum seekers or refugees. Please email us or call 0118 974 3797 if you wish to discuss any exemptions further.
Some courses are free and those courses that have a cost are free for anyone who is in receipt of Universal Credit (work related), Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or are on low income (under £22,000). Please contact us with any queries around costs.
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