The 2010 Summer programme of courses and events at The Learning Place, our new dedicated learning centre in North End, has now been finalised. There are loads of fantastic events that will keep families entertained during the summer holidays. Here is just a taster ... read more]]>

Click On the Picture to Download the Leaflet

The 2010 Summer programme of courses and events at The Learning Place, our new dedicated learning centre in North End, has now been finalised. There are loads of fantastic events that will keep families entertained during the summer holidays. Here is just a taster of some of the sessions confirmed so far:

• Decorate a bag or wall hanging: 3 August, 10am – 3pm
• Face painting10 August, 10am – 2.30pm
• Join us for a day of alien themed activities including special effects make-up, out of this world cookery and space face painting on 3 August 2010
• On 10 and 17 August there are fun, family costume making workshops 10am – 12pm.

Click on the image above to download a PDF version of the leaflet.

Online Centres

Running every Tuesday all summer long are our online centres where you can learn about:

• computer and internet basics
• shopping and banking online
• searching for jobs
• keeping in touch with friends on line
• researching your family history
• renting / buying property
• eBay auctions and much more…

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)

Information and advice on learning, training and careers to help you make the right choice for your future.  Running every Tuesday throughout the summer – morning and afternoon sessions available.

In the summer of 2010 Portsmouth City Council’s Adult and Family Learning Service will be opening a modern, purpose built Adult, Community and Family Learning Centre in Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth. PO2 8HH.

The centre will have 10 fully accessible, high quality teaching and learning ... read more]]>

An Architect's Drawing of the New Centre

In the summer of 2010 Portsmouth City Council’s Adult and Family Learning Service will be opening a modern, purpose built Adult, Community and Family Learning Centre in Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth. PO2 8HH.

The centre will have 10 fully accessible, high quality teaching and learning spaces:

• 2 dedicated IT rooms
• 1 dedicated arts and craft room
• 1 dual purpose arts and crafts / cooking room
• 1 dedicated family learning room
• On site crèche
• 5 further teaching rooms
• Resources / facilities to support e-learning in every learning space

For more information, click here to see a copy of the flyer which summarises the redevelopment and the aims of the new centre.

Have your say

Whilst we have many ideas for centre, very few are set in stone. Your feedback and ideas will be crucial for us to be able to provide you, the local residents, employers and partners with a programme of learning and other activities which meet your needs.

To let us know what you think, click here to complete the short online form (this will open in a new window).

We are particularly interested in hearing what courses and activities you would like to see being delivered from the centre.

Over the next few months, we will be running consultation events, tasters, and information and advice sessions in the North End area. Further details will appear here and in the local press. Keep your eyes open as we would love you to get involved!

Portsmouth City Council’s Adult and Family Learning (AFL) Service has recently received one of the most impressive Ofsted reports awarded to any Adult Community Learning provider in the country.

Commenting on the glowing report from Ofsted, Steve Glennon, Acting Head of Lifelong Learning at Portsmouth City Council, observes: “We have ... read more]]>

Ofsted Outstanding 2008-2009

Portsmouth City Council’s Adult and Family Learning (AFL) Service has recently received one of the most impressive Ofsted reports awarded to any Adult Community Learning provider in the country.

Commenting on the glowing report from Ofsted, Steve Glennon, Acting Head of Lifelong Learning at Portsmouth City Council, observes: “We have a very effective leadership team combined with dedicated staff that possess a lot of experience and knowledge of our community. Our colleagues are interested in what they are doing, they are open to new ideas and our ‘partnership working’ is highly successful.

Portsmouth operates a two-pronged approach to its ACL, with family learning being delivered directly by the service and the majority of its community learning sub-contracted to selected providers. According to Steve, the standard set by the Adult and Family Learning Team, combined with the support it provides to a dedicated and regular group of community learning providers, is one of the keys to the success that Portsmouth Adult and Family Learning has achieved.

Looking to the future, the Service is not sitting on its laurels. “Despite the Grade 1, there are things to improve. Maintaining this high level is probably more difficult than achieving it in the first place.”

Click here to read the Portsmouth City Council AFL Ofsted Report (March_2009)

Adult and Family Learning, together with Pride in Pompey and Portsmouth Craft and Manufacturing Industries, have been awarded the Matrix Standard for Information Advice and Guidance.

In July 2009 an assessor visited the 3 teams over 4 consecutive days. The assessor had more than 50 meetings with a range of ... read more]]>

Matrix Quality Mark

Adult and Family Learning, together with Pride in Pompey and Portsmouth Craft and Manufacturing Industries, have been awarded the Matrix Standard for Information Advice and Guidance.

In July 2009 an assessor visited the 3 teams over 4 consecutive days. The assessor had more than 50 meetings with a range of staff, partners and learners which resulted in the assessor judging that each team had “demonstrated that the services provided are in accordance with the national quality framework.”

The Adult and Family Learning serivce aims to offer clear and accurate information and advice about learning opportuinites in Portsmouth to enable the local residents to choose learning that is right for them to achieve their personal ambitions.

About the matrix Standard:

• The matrix Standard is the national quality mark for all organisations delivering information, advice and guidance services.
• The matrix Standard is highly adaptable to a range of organisational settings, regardless of size or sector, including further/higher education establishments, training providers and voluntary/community organisations.
• The matrix Standard is maintained and promoted by ENTO on behalf of the DIUS.
• The matrix Standard Assessment and Accreditation process is managed by EMQC Ltd on behalf of the DIUS.
• For further information about the matrix Standard visit www.matrixStandard.com or call the matrix Standard enquiry line on 0870 770 2468.