Student Shares Online Wellbeing Experiences
“I find traditional counselling very counter-productive. Rehashing bad memories makes it harder to let go and move on. Doing classes…
Read more
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.
Latest News, Articles & Stories
Routes into Nursing
ACL Essex is offering an exciting new programme to enable individuals to access a Nursing Associate Apprenticeship in the Tendring…
Safety Guidance when visiting centres
Please ensure you follow the below guidance when visiting our centres. When entering an ACL Building, please: If you believe…
Our Safety Plan
At ACL we have made sure we have complied with the Government guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19. Our…
Reopening ACL Essex Centres
From September, we look forward to welcoming back to centres Supported Learning learners and those who are starting their journey…
Illustration Competition
We were amazed by the number of stories we received as part of our Short Story competition. We hope you’ve…
DID YOU KNOW Some of our Accredited courses could be fully funded?!
Yes, you read that right – you might not need to dip into your savings to gain qualifications. You can…
GCSE Results 2020
We’re incredibly proud of everyone collecting their results this year. Even though this has not been the year everyone thought…
Would you like to join our Learner Forum?
If you are a learner enrolled on a course with Adult Learning, or an employer involved with ACL then you…
Try something new this September for FREE!
Are you looking to try something new or take the next step and embark on a creative qualification? Book onto…
Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice
Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice Apprenticeships are jobs with training, that benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.…
The National Careers Service can help you!
Sometimes it’s hard to know what steps to take to move on in work and life. It is hard if…
Tutor supports AAT students during exam
Last week, some of our Accounting students had their AAT exam at ACL Brentwood. Tutor Joanne bought some lovely balloons…
Trusting Mind. A poem by David Price
Ethical framework for the counselling professions A skilful introduction to counselling sessions With open arms, you gave us your trust…
Management Theories: The X and Y theory
Theories are the foundations that underpin great management practice. By studying management theory, we understand better the fundamental aspects that…
Career Resiliency
What is it? Resiliency is the mindset that allows people to thrive and bounce back after a setback. Career Resiliency…
The Roman Conquest & Boudica’s Revenge (and all because a Bible character came to Colchester!)
Yes it’s true – a biblical character once decided to visit Colchester (or Camulodunum as it was then known), and…
Degas’ Monotypes
Hello Everyone, My name is Judith White and I teach printmaking and life drawing at Colchester ACL. I’ve been asked…
Seven Tips for Changing your Career Plan
Do you feel you are at a careers crossroads? Maybe not completely fulfilled by your current job? Do you want…
Tutor of the Year Awards 2020 – Access to Higher Education
Last week, Gateway Qualifications announced the winner of the inaugural Access to Higher Education Tutor of the Year Awards 2020.…
#CelebratingCarers & #KeepLearning activities
What’s on this week
Over the coming weeks, our tutors will be sharing some fun activities for you and your family to get involved…
Learn how to Fake Braid
We are continuing to show our support for the incredible people who work in healthcare by sharing a new activity…
Tangram Puzzle
Today, our Woodworking tutor Mike shows you how to create a Tangram Puzzle using spare pieces of MDF. Last week…
An ode to Florence Nightingale
An ode to Florence Nightingale, on the 200th anniversary of her birth By Jack Gaydon ‘Thou was not born for…
Florence in Portraits
I wish there were more portraits of Florence Nightingale. I am surprised there are so few. I would have liked…
Photoshop: Victorian Effect
Photography tutor Barry shares this Photoshop tutorial on how to create a Victorian vintage effect on a contemporary portrait. Don’t…
Watercolour Postcards
Art tutor Lucy shows us how to create a selection of postcard designs using watercolour paints that you can send…
Florence Nightingale & Italian Culture
Language tutor Elinor shares a brief History and interesting facts about Florence, the city that Florence Nightingale was named after.…
Fabric Rainbow Collage
Art tutor Lucy shows us how to create a beautiful rainbow collage using scraps of fabric you may have lying…
Brief History of Nightingale’s Nursing Uniform
A brief history Florence Nightingale, was born in Florence Italy, on the 12th May 1820. Florence served as a manager…
Mary Seacole
Much like Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole was hugely influential in the world of nursing. Tutor Joy shares a brief history…
Weekly Recipe – Goan Fish Curry
Goan Fish Curry This is how I was taught to make the dish in Candolim, North Goa. Fish curry is…
Art Deco Patterns
How to create your own Art Deco Inspired Flower Pattern. Imagine the roaring 1920’s, glamour, luxury, elegance, simple sleek shapes,…
Bite Size BSL 3
This week Susan will follow on from last week and talk about ‘family’ and some simple questions you might ask.…
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…
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…
Digital Tips – Twitter
Delve into the world of Twitter. Sophia will give you a simple yet informative run through. You’ll be hashtagging in…
Spanish with Aida 2
It’s time to learn some Spanish with Aida! This week Aida will be teaching us how to order food and…
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Go on a photography treasure hunt on your own or with family indoors or in the garden. There are hundreds…
Dye your Hair
Want to dye your hair at home and avoid a miss-hap?! Tania will show you the best techniques to apply…
“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
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.