Our centres will be opening in September for Supported Learning and functional skills curriculum areas. Many courses starting in September have been adapted and will initially be delivered online or via distance learning. Further information will be provided in due course. If you have any queries, please contact us.
Florence Nightingale art

The Nightingale Bursary

To celebrate the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale and the 50th anniversary of Adult Social Care Services becoming part of the Local Authority, Essex County Council is proud to launch the Nightingale Bursary.

The bursary will fully fund courses for existing care employees who are not eligible or suitable for an apprenticeship and would normally have to pay towards their training. This bursary is suitable for those employees  looking to gain formal accreditation to support their role or improve their skills in the Health & Social Care sector.

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#CelebratingCarers & #KeepLearning activities

Problem solving puzzle

Tangram Puzzle

Today, our Woodworking tutor Mike shows you how to create a Tangram Puzzle using spare pieces of MDF. Last week…

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Mary Seacole

Mary Seacole

Much like Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole was hugely influential in the world of nursing. Tutor Joy shares a brief history…

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Floral sketch

Art Deco Patterns

How to create your own Art Deco Inspired Flower Pattern. Imagine the roaring 1920’s, glamour, luxury, elegance, simple sleek shapes,…

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Bite Size BSL 3

This week Susan will follow on from last week and talk about ‘family’ and some simple questions you might ask.…

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Book Club Week 3

It’s the final instalment of this ‘ACL Book Club’. English tutor Jacquie will be answering any questions you have as…

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Person sketching patterns in sketch pad

It’s Doodle Time!

It’s doodle time! A doodle is an unfocused drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied. Doodles are simple…

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Hair and beauty - Blonde hair having treatment

Dye your Hair

Want to dye your hair at home and avoid a miss-hap?! Tania will show you the best techniques to apply…

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Browse all #KeepLearning activities

“I would 100% recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone…”

I would 100% recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone. There are so many different courses out there to choose from and all of them give learners so many different opportunities to excel in a work place. With these opportunities and skills, joined with the knowledge of your chosen course, you are assured to be an ideal candidate for any job!

Holly from Burnham-on-Crouch

“ACL provided me with the opportunity to work around my family life…”

Hi, I’m Monika, 49. I’m originally from India and moved here 14 years ago. Whilst my kids were growing up I volunteered in schools. In order to progress to other roles I knew I needed to get GCSEs in English and maths. I have today achieved a grade 9 in my English exam which I am over the moon about. ACL provided me with the opportunity to work around my family life and I have never had such a good tutor in all my life – amazing! I had no idea that I would get the highest possible grade, I am an introvert by nature so this is just such a shock for me. I would advise anyone who is thinking about learning with ACL to do it today! I am now all ready to start my GCSE maths course this year.

Monika from Colchester

“I would advise anyone that needs a GCSE to think about ACL…”

I’m Nick, 54 and am about to start a teacher training course at Moulsham High School teaching Computer Science. I was all set to follow my dream of becoming a teacher but realised that I was lacking a GCSE pass in English. I heard about ACL and was able to enrol on the course easily. Angela, our teacher was amazing and really effective and as a result I have today received a grade 7 – hurray! I would advise anyone that needs a GCSE to think about ACL, very professional and we all worked as a team in class.

Nick from Colchester

Learner Wade

“The skills I have learnt throughout my time on the apprenticeship with ACL has prepared me to be able to progress within my organisation…”

I started with Essex County Council in February 2019 as a Business Support Assistant in the file and data team, where I quickly settled into the team and managed to learn all the tasks very quickly. In May 2019, I spoke with my line manager about the possibility of enrolling on the ‘Business Administrator – L3’ apprenticeship. My line manager fully supported this and contacted ACL to get me enrolled. The skills I have learnt throughout my time on the apprenticeship with ACL has prepared me to be able to progress within my organisation and feel confident in doing so. I am on course to finish my Business Administrator – L3 qualification this year and I am hoping to do this with the best possible mark.

Wade from Basildon

Creative & Cultural Learning

Ever wanted to learn how to cook, draw, sculpt, speak a new language, or try something new?

Qualifications and Skills for Employment

Do you want to improve your CV, gain skills to progress in your current role, or looking for a new career?

English, Maths, Science & Digital

Whatever your reason to improve your English, Maths, Science or Digital skills, ACL can help! Our courses could be free* and support you to gain the qualifications you need…

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Learn about looking after your mental health and wellbeing, in addition to supporting your family and friends.

Family Learning

These courses offer you the opportunity to learn together to build strong relationships, develop new skills and raise aspirations for all the family.

Apprenticeships

Hundreds of courses across the county, there’s something for every learner and business.

supported learning learner

Supported Learning

Programmes are suitable for all learners, including learners with complex needs, learners wishing to develop social and personal skills, and those wishing to gain qualifications and employment.