Loneliness Awareness Week
It’s #LonelinessAwarenessWeek. Created and hosted by Marmalade Trust, this annual campaign raises awareness of loneliness across the UK (and beyond!)…
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New 2022/23 courses
Enrol now on a huge selection of courses including, summer tasters, learn at your leisure workshops, essential skills and qualifications.
Be Inspired Tasters & Information Events
From July 4 – 8 we are offering free taster workshops, guided tours of our centres, opportunities to meet our teams and find out about our courses and competitions.
Parent Ambassador Programme
ACL’s Parent Ambassador programme aims to improve the lives of families living in Essex. Become a Parent Ambassador and make a difference to families in your school community.
Digital Champions
Digital Champions improve lives across the county through empowering people to learn basic digital skills and access the online world, benefiting from digital technology.
Free Flexible Learning Courses
Start your flexible learning course today! You will gain a nationally recognised qualification.
Funding Support
Did you know if your household income is less than £30k per annum you could receive support to help with associated learning costs e.g. books, travel, childcare, laptop and wifi?
Latest News
It’s nearly showtime!
Our Supported Learning Employability Skills students will be performing at the Mercury Theatre on 14th June 5:30pm. To set the…
Find Your Active
When it comes to being active, we all know that finding the right activity greatly increases your chances of creating…
NEWS RELEASE: Local MP and Councillor talk exciting new plans at ACL Essex, Harlow
Adult education provider, ACL Essex, welcomed two special visitors to its Harlow campus on Friday 20th May. Rt Hon Robert…
NEWS RELEASE: ACL Essex Hosts Community Event to Support Ukrainian Families and Hosts
ACL Essex Hosts Community Event to Support Ukrainian Families and Hosts Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is hosting a community…
Master the Colour Wheel
Written by Abbie Cairns, Creative Learning Tutor The colour wheel is a great way to help you understand how colours…
Try some meditation
Meditation by Mental Health & Wellbeing Tutor, Emma According to Mind.com, Meditation is a helpful way to regulate mood and…
Get your business on board with our new innovative sustainability course
We are offering businesses the opportunity to train staff free of charge about the benefits of developing a more sustainable…
The importance of creating
Article written by Curriculum Lead, Robyn I really enjoy creating when I feel like it and it isn’t forced, sometimes this…
Are you getting enough Zzzzzz?
If we aren’t well rested, it can weigh us down physically, mentally, and emotionally, but there are some simple actions…
Tap Into Free IT Courses at ACL Essex!
We have launched a series of free IT courses for those who have little to no experience using technology, in…
NEWS RELEASE: ACL Essex encourages businesses to get on board with innovative sustainability course
ACL Essex encourages businesses to get on board with innovative sustainability course Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is offering businesses…
BUSINESS TIMES: Expand your knowledge of sustainable development, climate change and global warming
Business Times – Sustainability: Expand your knowledge of sustainable development, climate change and global warming Sustainable development, climate change and…
NEWS RELEASE: Tap Into Free IT Courses at ACL Essex!
Tap Into Free IT Courses at ACL Essex! Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is launching a series of free IT…
Our Harlow centre is moving!
We are excited to announce that ACL Harlow will be moving to its new home in the centre of town…
Apprenticeship stories – Abbi
Last week, we visited Abbi at Little Stars Nursery. Abbi has been working at the nursery since 2021 and is…
How Adult Learning can help us and environment
Our world is always changing and growing, with new technology affecting how we interact with each other to external sources…
Create a Spring vision board
The start of spring is when some people put together a vision board for the year ahead as nature prompts…
Sustainable floristry
Article by Karen Clark, NCFE Level 2 Floristry The world faces an urgent need to make good ethical choices regarding…
Start the Conversation lunchtime events
Free Information, Advice and Guidance events from 14-18 March. Our centres at Clacton, Rayleigh, and Maldon will be hosting…
“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
“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
Our Supported Learning courses have been created specifically for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities wishing to develop social and personal skills, and those wishing to gain qualifications and employment.
About Us
ACL offers a wide range of day time and evening adult learning courses to help you improve your job prospects, learn a new skill or simply inspire you.
Support
Click on the links below to see what types of support ACL can offer you.
On-site Services
We have a range of on-site services including beauty room, hair salons and nurseries & preschools