FAQ
Welcome to our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page. Here, you can find answers to some of the most common questions that we receive from our learners.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us via our contact page.
- We offer the option of doing some learning from home, which allows you to manage your time around work, childcare, etc.
- For courses which are delivered face to face, we try to be as flexible as possible, offering some courses in the evening and at different venues, again to help you to continue learning outside of working hours.
- We provide a welcoming learning environment with excellent learning resources and facilities. Tutors are experienced, well qualified and offer industry experience within their subjects. Learning may also be accessible from home via the Google Workspace for Education (Google Classroom) to allow learners to make progress.
- You can apply for a loan of a laptop and Wi-Fi access, subject to availability and eligibility.
- Many of our courses are offered free of charge.
- Maths, English & Essential Digital Skills courses are all fully funded (free to learners) who do not already have a Level 2 qualification in Maths or English (GCSE grade 4 or A*- C ‘O’ Level grade) or have no or low digital skills.
- Many other courses are also fully funded, depending on your personal circumstances – please see our Course Fees page for more details.
That will depend on the course you are applying for and your personal circumstances. If you are not eligible for the full funding for your course, you may need to pay a registration fee.
This question is answered in more detail on our Course Fees page.
Before starting a course, you will be asked questions to determine your eligibility.
You must be aged 19+ on 31 August to join a course.
Our courses are categorised by type, but you can find the full list of available courses on our Full Course List
Ask to speak to one of our staff who will discuss which courses might best suit you.
Please contact us on 01724 297146 or use our Contact form.
Different courses take different amounts of time to complete. You will be invited to an initial course interview and assessment, and the tutor will discuss the course length at this time. The interview/assessment may take place over the telephone and you may be sent a form to complete and return by email.
On the website – some courses have an online ‘Apply Now’ button which you can use to apply for a course.
By telephone – you can call our enquiries team on 01724 297146.
Contact us to let us know what course you are interested in.
It is your responsibility to provide documentation that proves you have the right to study in the UK.
Failure to do so may mean you are unable to start or continue your course.
More information about proof of identity visit the Government webpage here
This is to prove you are eligible for a fee reduction.
If you are claiming fee remission, some form of proof of eligibility will be required. For example, a bus pass or passport for an age-related concession or a letter from a relevant benefit agency that includes your name.
For ESOL courses, please bring this evidence in order to gain remission from examination fees.
Yes. However, we recommend that you make sure you have the time to study more than one course and are able to manage the workload. You can discuss this with your tutor.
If you are having issues completing your online enrolment, please call our Customer Services Team on 01724 297146 and give them your full name, age and postcode and details of the course you wish to apply for.
An initial assessment is how Tutors measure your current ability and knowledge. This allows them to place you on the appropriate level and course. Some courses such as, Maths, English, ESOL and EDSQ will have a face-to-face assessment that takes approximately 1-2 hours, other courses may offer an online assessment.
If you miss the start date of the course and we have spaces free, you may still be able to join.
You can either apply on our website or call our team on 01724 297146.
We do not recommend taking holidays on weeks where you have classes as you can miss important work. This can impact your learning progress.
We will not be able to refund you for any classes you miss. If you are thinking about booking a holiday in term time, please talk to your tutor.
Fully Funded means that your course will be paid for using funding that we receive from the ESFA and you will not have to pay anything unless you do not complete the course.
Some courses are fully funded because of the course type (Maths, English and Essential Digital Skills) and others may be fully funded depending on your personal circumstances. Please see our Fees & Charges page.
With our model of blended learning you will work through learning models working to a deadline via online learning with the opportunity to communicate with the tutor via google meets as and when needed. In some cases you also have the chance of a monthly face-to-face session.
Instead of attending a course, you study at home or work. All teaching, materials, and support are delivered online.
Our New Community Learning Offer
We receive funding from the ESFA for our courses, which means that our learners only pay a fraction of the full-cost price. The funding rules for the new academic year 2023/2024 state that AECL needs to:
· support learners to progress according to their own circumstances.
· encourage and support learners to progress onto new or more stretching provision which will help them into more formal learning or employment.
In addition, we cannot use funding to enrol learners on courses at a similar level or with similar content as a previously taken funded course.
We are obliged to follow these rules for us to be able to continue to provide tailored courses that make a positive difference to the lives of residents and businesses of North Lincolnshire.
What does this mean?
We will continue to offer courses that build on an individual’s previous learning and experience. Our newly created pathways will enable individuals to progress through the different levels and then decide whether to take a qualification.
How could this affect you when enrolling on a course?
If you have previously completed a non-accredited course with us, and wish to continue you will be required to progress on to a course which allows you to develop new skills and build on existing skills at a higher level. If you are unsure of the next course you should progress on to, please either talk to your tutor who will be able to advise you.
These courses are designed to help adults develop the skills they need to support their child’s English and maths and to allow families to learn together in a fun and relaxed environment.
At Ashby Community Hub – ask at Reception to speak to a member of staff from Adult Education & a member of our Customer Services team will provide you with advice & guidance and help you to apply for a course.
* Please note that when you apply for a course where you will achieve a qualification, you will not be enrolled onto the course until a tutor has reviewed your application.
The tutor may need to speak to you & request further information from you.
For all courses, your place is not guaranteed until you receive confirmation from a member of our Customer Services Team.
You will be contacted once we have received your certificate and it is ready for collection. On collection you will need to provide ID and complete a short destination survey.
During your time at Adult Education and Community Learning you will have access to our Careers Services. Our dedicated Careers and Employability Coordinator will be able to advise and guide you in your next steps through 1:1 support or group workshops.
If you have a complaint about our service you can contact paul.burnett@northlincs.gov.uk or ring 01724 297467 in the first instance and it will be passed on to the relevant manager. If the complaint cannot be resolved at this point or if further investigation has not been concluded to the learner’s satisfaction, then they have the right to make a formal complaint by following North Lincolnshire Council’s formal complaint’s procedure.
Click here to view our Complaints Policy