Try some meditation
Meditation by Mental Health & Wellbeing Tutor, Emma According to Mind.com, Meditation is a helpful way to regulate mood and…
Read more
Qualifications and skills for employment
Don’t put your dreams on hold! We have adapted our courses to be delivered at centres online
Online Courses
#KeepLearning
Ever wanted to learn how to cook, draw, sculpt, speak a new language, or try something new?
Qualifications and skills for employment
Don’t put your dreams on hold! We have adapted our courses to be delivered at centres online
What’s on this week
#keeplearning
Our tutors will be sharing some fun activities for you and your family to get involved with at home
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.
Latest News, Articles & Stories
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…
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…
Three tips for building self confidence
Be kind to yourself – Try being kind to yourself when you feel like being self critical. It can help to…
Guests From America: Photographer and Set Designers
On Wednesday 26th January in the NCFE Level 2 Certificate Photography course we were delighted to welcome Photographer and Set…
Councillor Tony Ball visits Clear Thinking Solutions
Earlier this week, as part of National Apprenticeship Week, we visited Clear Thinking I.T alongside Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County…
Apprenticeship stories: Arma Karma
Earlier this year we were invited to Arma Karma, an insurance company based in Colchester. They recently recruited Gray, who…
Apprenticeship stories: Chelmer Foods Ltd
Harrison is completing his Business Admin Level 3 apprenticeship at Chelmer Foods Ltd and has become an invaluable member of…
NEWS RELEASE: Step into a new world of sustainability with ACL Essex
Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is helping the people of Essex get to grips with developing a more sustainable world…
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2022
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2022! Throughout the week we will sharing inspirational apprenticeship stories, hosting information sessions and debunking some…
Apprenticeship stories: Where are they now? Leon
Leon joined the ACL Commercial team in October 2020 as a Business Administration Apprentice and has been supporting the Business…
Apprenticeship stories: Where are they now?
Holly started with Impamark in September 2017 and completed the Level 2 Business & Administration Apprenticeship in September 2018 with…
ACL Essex Offers Online Events during National Apprenticeship Week
Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is hosting an online event for people interested in applying for an apprenticeship on Tuesday…
It’s Parental Mental Health Day
Parent Mental Health Day encourages understanding and awareness of the importance of parents’ mental health and its impact on the whole family system. With…
#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.