Multiply your Maths knowledge with a Free Course or Workshop
Are you an adult that struggles with Maths? Are you looking to improve your Maths skills to help you with budgeting, progress in your job, or to support your child in their Maths studies?
Whether you are new to Maths or simply want to brush up on existing skills, Exeter College, in partnership with the Urban Learning Academy, is offering a whole host of free courses, workshops and events.
Multiply is a government initiative aimed at increasing the levels of functional numeracy in the adult population across the UK. If you are aged 19+ and do not already have a GCSE at grade C (or equivalent) in Maths, Multiply is available to you.
It includes:
Pop Up Maths events
Maths for life (budgeting, managing bills etc)
Pre-GCSE Maths (6 x weeks)
Come and say hi
Maths is out in the community soon with Pop Up Maths beginning in February in various Devon Libraries. You could be in with a chance of winning a Lenovo Chromebook through a fun and simple Maths challenge. Visit our Facebook page to find out which library we are visiting next.
Book your place today
There are a series of workshops and courses running throughout February and March. These are free and available to book through Eventbrite. Find out more and book your place.
More about Multiply
Multiply offers easy access to free numeracy courses and initiatives that can help you brush up on your Maths skills and help you become more confident with numbers.
Multiply offers easy access to free numeracy courses and initiatives where you can gain a qualification and build your confidence in using numbers at work or in everyday life.
You will be able to learn at a pace that suits you.
Exceptional Exeter College once again awarded “Outstanding” by Ofsted
Exeter College is celebrating after a full Ofsted Inspection, which has resulted in the College retaining the impressive accolade of Outstanding.
Eight years since its last inspection Ofsted again confirmed that Exeter College is an Outstanding College. The College also scored the top assessment of ‘strong’ for its approach to meeting the skills needs of the area. This makes Exeter College the first college in the country to achieve the highest judgement in both elements of Ofsted’s new enhanced inspections.
The 21-strong Ofsted inspection team visited every College site and reviewed every facet of the College offer from 29 November to 2 December 2022.
Exeter College Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE said:
“At a time when the national press is talking about Ofsted raising the bar for their top grade the team at Exeter College has demonstrated that we have sustained Outstanding, even in the new rigorous enhanced framework.
“I would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who contributed to this exceptional sector-leading outcome, especially our amazing learners, apprentices, staff and governors. Ofsted has recognised what I see from our students, apprentices and staff every single day.”
Students and staff celebrating their Ofsted Outstanding rating.
Bindu Arjoon, Chair of the Board of Governors, added:
“We are delighted that the hard work of everyone at the College has been recognised in this way. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all the students, staff and stakeholders for their personal contribution to our Outstanding College.”
The College achieved the top Ofsted rating of Outstanding in all four cross-college judgements; Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Leadership and Management. The College’s Sixth Form provision, adult learning and apprenticeships were also rated as Outstanding. The Outstanding grade for apprenticeships is extremely hard to achieve, with very few colleges nationally having achieved this.
The report praises the standard of teaching and learning across the College as well as the standards of behaviour and culture, citing that teachers and other staff are excellent role models who work tirelessly to meet the needs of learners.
Zakia Volschenk, from Exmouth, is studying A Levels at Exeter College and is part of the Learner Leadership Team. Speaking about the Outstanding grade, she said:
“I believe it’s well-deserved and feel extremely proud to be a part of a constantly developing institution that really takes into consideration the student’s opinions. I know that the opportunities at Exeter College will give me an advantage when it comes to applying to university or finding future jobs.”
As national exams returned last year, Ofsted’s inspection included scrutinising learner results and outcomes in exams. This meant that the summer’s record-breaking A Level results and top 10% value added performance were assessed as part of the inspection process.
Jade Otty, Vice Principal and Ofsted Quality Nominee, said:
“I am so pleased that the exceptional work of our teachers and support staff has been recognised by Ofsted. The College is Outstanding thanks to their expertise, care and commitment. I am proud too that this report reflects how amazing our learners and apprentices are in working with us to create a college community in which everyone can thrive and develop. We were also delighted that the report credited the support and work of our community and industry partners”
The new Education Inspection Framework (EIF) came into force in September 2019. This rigorous inspection framework means fewer schools and colleges have been awarded outstanding nationally.
Ofsted’s new enhanced inspections of Further Education providers and Sixth Form colleges came into force in September 2022. It means that in addition to the EIF focus on Quality of Education, colleges are also judged on how well they link with community, civic, industry and education partners to meet their region’s skills needs.
Exeter College is the first college in the country to receive the top grade of Outstanding and the top grade of ‘strong contribution’ to skills needs.
Exeter College Alumni Celebrated at Glamourous Awards Night
Exeter College was delighted to return to an in-person event for this year’s Student Awards. Over 100 guests attended the 2023 awards ceremony at the Mercure Rougemont Hotel, celebrating the very best from a wide range of courses and achievements.
This group of students emerged from the pandemic and managed to deliver a set of exceptional results from all areas of the College. Their level of ambition has ensured they have achieved what they set out to do, with students progressing to an impressive list of universities, graduate schemes or directly into employment.
John Laramy CBE, Chief Executive and Principal at Exeter College said;
“I would like to congratulate all of tonight’s award winners, last year’s students and apprentices across the college combined to create one of the most successful years in our long History – thank you! Students delivered our best ever A Level results, outstanding T Level results and a stunning range of achievements, that covered every facet of college life. We are proud that you now become an Exeter College alumni.
“Our partners continue to work positively and proactively with us to make a meaningful difference to the student experience. I would also like to thank our sponsors and our employers; their ongoing support is, simply superb!”
College Patron Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice Principal Jade Otty, Chair of Governors Bindu Arjoon, Principal John Laramy, Simon Jupp MP and Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust.
The College was delighted to welcome Suzanne Tracey as guest speaker to the awards. Suzanne is the Chief Executive Officer for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and has been instrumental in creating a sector leading relationship with the College which means that students can access work experience opportunities and occupationally specific pathways, such as midwifery.
Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:
“I’ve been delighted to be part of these special awards, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of students at Exeter College.
“We are really proud of our partnership with the College, which offers students the opportunity to find their future career, through a number of innovative qualifications and hands-on work experience, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
“The students we work with are fantastic and we are excited to see what we can do together next.”
Students from the 2021/22 academic year were invited back to celebrate their impressive achievements and have the chance to catch up with past tutors and teachers.
Lily Tomlinson achieved the outstanding accolade of being the highest performing A Level PE student in the country.
Lily Tomlinson studied A Levels in Maths, Biology and PE and won an award for Academic Excellence. She is now studying at Loughborough University doing Sport and Exercise Science and is hoping to work in elite sport. She said;
“It’s an honour to be here, the college is so big, and all my friends did very well too so it’s a nice surprise.
“College really widened my horizons; it was a great steppingstone from school before university and made me take more responsibility for myself but there was still a lot of support when I needed it.”
Louis Skilton captained the College’s Esports League of Legends team in two national Esports finals.
Louis Skilton studied Esports Production and Management at College and is now doing a degree in Coaching and Management at the new College of Esports in London. He is planning to play internationally and is already speaking with companies about managing teams. Louis won the award for Esports Academy Student of the Year. He said:
“I’ve never seen as much passion and enthusiasm as I did at Exeter College in all my years of education, it changed learning for me. I had amazing opportunities like being interviewed by BBC Spotlight and competing in National Championships.
“This award feels like gratification for all the hard work, but I also feel like anyone could have got it as the whole team was amazing.”
Joshua Dyer studied the T Level in Software Development and did his work placement with Teignbridge Propellors where he now works as a Junior Software Developer. He won an award for Vocational and Technical Excellence and said;
“I’m really happy to be here tonight. My time at college was amazing, the way the course was taught was dynamic, practical, and hands-on. I would recommend it. The tutors and staff were amazing. Everyone is really friendly, I made lifelong friends.”
The College would like to congratulate all the 2023 award winners and say a big thank you to all our Sponsors who make this event possible.
Get Individual Advice on Courses and Careers from our College Advice Team
Our friendly team of College Advisers are here to help any students looking to join Exeter College in September 2023.
They are offering free 30-minute appointments which can take place either in person at the college, or via a video call. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to have all of your questions answered. Our advisers happy to chat through your choice of subjects and courses, as well as to discuss the application and interview process. Book your session now.
Find out more about life at Exeter College including:
There are a limited number of spaces available so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Please note that if you attend one of the following schools in Exeter, you will have the opportunity to speak to a college advisor during the school day and we kindly ask that you contact your lead advisor prior to making a booking online.
Isca Academy: Jay Henney – jay-annehenney@exe-coll.ac.uk
St Lukes: Jack Keogh – jackkeogh@exe-coll.ac.uk
St Peters: Emily Skinner – emilyskinner@exe-coll.ac.uk
St James: Caroline Earp – carolineearp@exe-coll.ac.uk
West Exe: Rebecca Shaw – rebeccashaw02@exe-coll.ac.uk
If you haven’t yet visited Exeter College, our next Open Event is taking place on Wednesday 26 April, from 4-7pm. Register today.
Exeter College Students Perform to Fully Booked Cathedral for Annual Festival of Carols
The Exeter College annual Festival of Carols brings together students, parents, and the wider Exeter community to celebrate the start of the festive season and the year drawing to a close. Last night saw the event return to the beautiful setting of Exeter Cathedral once more.
The service was officiated by the Prebendary Nigel Guthrie, Vicar of St David, and St Michael and The Very Reverend Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter.
John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Exeter College, said:
“After a busy start to our academic year, the Festival of Carols is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all we have achieved so far and to enjoy the musical performances from our supremely talented students. It is always a pleasure to hear readings from a wide variety of students too.
“It is also an important event for raising vital funds and I am delighted that this year we were able to support Devon Air Ambulance. Thank you to everyone who gave generously. I am sure that we all appreciate the challenging work they do all over Devon.”
The festival was opened with welcome addresses from Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive John Laramy CBE and the Dean of Exeter and was followed by the candlelit procession.
The audience then enjoyed a selection of classical music from the Exeter College Orchestra, as well as a show-stopping performance of ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’.
Exeter College Orchestra
The Choir Leads the Carols
Several learners did readings amongst many other student performances, including Therese Walsh, who is studying A Levels in English Literature, Film Studies and Politics. She read John 1. 1-14. She has really enjoyed her studies at Exeter College so far and said;
“I am nervous but excited. It’s a really great event every year so it is really cool to be taking part this year.”
Emily Wilson-Manfield, a first year Art and Graphics student who performed with the big band, said;
“It’s an exciting chance to be involved with the music community at the college and the wider local community – I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”
This charitable event, while free to attend, raises funds for a different nominated charity each year. This time Exeter College has chosen to support a cause close to home: the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Generous donations were made by attendees, which will go towards funding Devon’s two air ambulances. These life-saving crafts provide life-saving interventions in the more inaccessible parts of Devon.
Thank you to Sheykie Campbell, a Design and Communication student studying the Level 3 UAL (University of the Arts London) Extended Diploma in Creative Practice Art, for the brilliant artwork used for the Festival of Carols Programme (below).
Urban Learning Academy Supports Learning in the Community
The Urban Learning Academy (ULA) held an engagement event today at Exeter Library. The community learning project is a partnership between local providers in Exeter and has formed an Alliance that includes; Exeter College, CoLab, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.
The ULA is a venture exploring innovative approaches toward city-wide inclusive adult learning opportunities. It offers a range of sessions taking place in community hubs across the city.
Partners are collaborating to provide opportunities for adults to participate in free and low-cost learning across the city.
Rob Bosworth, Vice Principal and Deputy CEO at Exeter College, said;
“There is a burgeoning need in the city for a type of learning offer, that is different to the traditional offer, for people that do not have the confidence or have found past learning experiences difficult.
“By collaborating with several different organisations in the city, that share our passion and values for outreach, the ULA will be in the community in venues like libraries to offer the type of learning that is going to reengage members of the public that haven’t stepped into a classroom in years.
“The city is growing, there are more people, which is great, but it does bring its own challenges, further compounded now by the cost-of-living crisis, Brexit and unemployment.
“Exeter College has fantastic partnerships in the city and by joining together we have an opportunity to do this for the people in the community.”
Jo Cuthbertson, Learning Matters Lead at CoLab Exeter, said:
“The ULA really is committed to offering a wide range of community learning opportunities, doing things differently and connecting communities through learning and meaningful activity. Our learners are at the centre of all we do.
“We will work from the grassroots level to bring organisations, communities and individuals together to connect and break down barriers, offering free and very low cost opportunities to learn in our city.
“The ULA will enable people to learn, empower individuals to make choices about their learning journey and hopefully use learning as a tool for change to help transform lives.
“In just 5 months we have doubled our learning offer in our ULA programme and increased the number of learning providers being part of the ULA Partnership. It’s a very exciting time to be involved and we are still building on this and has scope for so much more”
Jola Pawlikowska, Community Ambassador at CoLab, will be reaching out to people in the community. She said;
“My job is to ensure that people with complex needs have access to education and training. That’s through informal training, through drop-ins, that then can be a seed that can move forward and progress people through to more formal training and progression opportunities.
The ULA aims to empower and transform the lives of people who find it hardest to connect and engage. Working in partnership with learning providers in Exeter, a varied and inclusive learning programme has been designed. Workshops include; Be Kind to Your Mind, Woodwork for Wellbeing, Walking Football, Writing Flash Fiction, Emotional First Aid and much more.
Phill Adams is Economic Inclusion Lead at Devon County Council and Lead Officer for Learn Devon. He said;
“Learn Devon is one of the direct delivery partners in this initiative. It’s really important for us to move the residents of Devon forward and give them those life chances, pathways into work or learning and wider life opportunities that we all strive for.
“The big thing for us, particularly with cost of living, is finding jobs and pathways which allow people to move into careers and find income at a time when it is hard going out there.
“At a time when the economy is turbulent, we need to be creating those moments when people shift onto a new career or a new option.”
Councillor Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Skills at Exeter City Council added;
“The reason that we are involved in the Urban Learning Academy is because we have a clear strategic priority around supporting people to engage in learning, help to move people towards employment and the workplace.
“We see this as being key in terms of doing that, engaging with some of those people that aren’t involved in any kind of learning or education at the moment and helping them on that journey back towards being fully engaged in life in the city.”
Rachel Payne, Business Development and Fundraising Manager at Libraries Unlimited said;
“The initial conversations started with Exeter College around how we could do some more community-led learning. Starting off with pop-up maths events at Exeter Library, St Thomas and Pinhoe – we began to discuss how community learning could go wider afield.
“We were talking about the ULA and how libraries have evolved. The notion that libraries are just about books is behind us, they are community hubs. They are an intrinsic part of the local community; offering a range of activities from Bounce and Rhyme, to Knit and Natter groups, dementia awareness, and mindfulness cafes, not to mention co working spaces and IT sessions.
“We are really excited to be part of the ULA, particularly as we aim to reach new communities across the city and showing them that this is a warm, safe, free space to be used. Especially with the cost-of-living crisis, just opening our doors and making people aware that libraries are there and that they’re freely available across the county is essential.”
To find out more about the Urban Learning Academy and how you can get involved visit Urban Learning Academy
Exeter College Scoops Seven Awards at National BTEC Awards 2022
The exceptional achievement of Exeter College BTEC learners was celebrated on Friday at the prestigious Pearson BTEC Awards. As well as a number of learners picking up awards, Exeter College was named as Silver BTEC College of the Year for 2022.
Six learners from the College were recognised by teachers and peers for their outstanding work while studying for the qualification. Exeter College would like to congratulate the following learners on their fantastic achievement.
The award winners are:
Keiko Saruta – Bronze – BTEC IT and Computing Learner of the Year 2022
Hal Furneaux-Gotch – Bronze – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Megan Fowler – Bronze – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Harry Glanville – Silver – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Chris Pratt – Silver – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Matthew Wood – Silver – BTEC Sport Learner of the Year 2022
Exeter College student, Harry Glanvile, was awarded a Silver for BTEC Construction Learner of the Year. He said;
“Studying a HNC in Civil Engineering at Exeter College was a great stepping stone for me. The specialist knowledge and skills I have learnt during this career focused course has allowed me to apply them in the workplace while working on real life scenarios.
“After completing the BTEC course, this then opened doors for me to continue my progression to a university course so that I can progress in my career of civil engineering. I’m very happy that my hard work has been recognised through this award. I would like to thank the staff at Exeter College, I really appreciate the nomination and I would also like to thank my employer, Pell Frischmann, for the continued support.”
Exeter College student, Hal Furneaux-Gotch, studied for a HNC in Construction and was awarded a Bronze in the BTEC Construction Learner of the Year category. He said:
“My time at Exeter College has been invaluable in furthering my career in the construction industry, developing my academic knowledge and vocational skills, as well as putting me in contact with a wide range of others working in the sector.
“My HNC, combined with my vocational portfolio, has allowed me to obtain Chartered Construction Project Manager (MCIOB) status, and both have made me significantly more employable, having been offered several jobs since finishing the course. Upon completion of my HNC, I was promoted into a senior civil engineer role in local government.
“I am very honoured to have been awarded a Bronze Learner of the Year Award; the COVID-19 pandemic started during my first year of study and so all learning had to be completed remotely. This, alongside all the other challenges associated with the pandemic, made study more difficult than expected and consequently it’s great to have this work recognised.”
The BTEC provision at Exeter College was also awarded with a Silver BTEC College of the Year Award, recognising the hard work of staff and learners alike.
John Laramy CBE, Principal and CEO at Exeter College said;
“We are very proud of our BTEC provision at Exeter College and our learners who continue to exceed, both at College and within their chosen field.
“We are delighted to have this hard work recognised by the prestigious Pearson BTEC Awards as it highlights the outstanding opportunities that these qualifications provide.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President for Vocational Qualifications and Training at Pearson said;
“After two long years spent giving or receiving lessons behind a computer screen, through face masks, or socially distanced, 2022 has been a whirlwind for everyone involved in education. Considering this, it makes the inspiring achievements documented in Exeter College’s submission all the more impressive. The hard work and commitment they – and all our award winners – demonstrated is extraordinary.”
Hundreds of thousands of learners across the globe have completed BTEC courses over the past year. The career-focused qualifications are a vital route for those pursuing careers in sectors such as IT, business, the creative industries, healthcare, engineering, construction and future industries. Many of these industries are suffering from staff shortages and skills gaps which this year’s graduates will be more than equipped to fill.
Find out more about BTEC courses at Exeter College.
Ready to apply? Applications are now open and you can easily apply online.
Exeter College Announced as England Rugby Partner College
Exeter College is delighted to announce it has been successful in becoming an England Rugby Partner College. The College is one of only eight colleges that have received partner status, and will act as a flagship college for the South West, representing the region nationally.
John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Exeter College, said;
“We are thrilled to have been announced as an England Rugby Partner College. Our team work incredibly hard to provide training, management, and opportunities for our young rugby players and this is the next step in making sure our provision is exceptional.
“We have a fantastic partnership with the Exeter Chiefs, with our women and men’s rugby academies ensuring our young people are trained in a safe, inclusive environment and are given incredible opportunities. This was the natural next step to ensure we are delivering an outstanding rugby provision to young people in the South West.”
This partner status means that the College will need to adhere to several operating standards which will benefit the programme. This includes utilising the RFU’s coaches, match official training programme, advocating best practise and providing a safe and enjoyable environment for rugby. The partnership will be player-centred, developing young people through the college journey, whilst using the vehicle of rugby to shape positive on and off field behaviours. It is an inclusive provision, providing rugby for all skills, motivations, and genders.
Chris Wall, Sports Academy Manager at Exeter College, said;
“This partner status is great recognition of all the hard work we are doing around our rugby programme at Exeter College. We are looking forward to collaborating with the RFU to introduce new players to the game of rugby and to support talented players on their chosen pathway.
“This is a reflection of all the hard work of our staff over a number of years in providing such a quality product. Our active role within ECRFU (England College RFU), has allowed us to play a pivotal role in shaping the game for our learners and all students across the FE sector. We hope this ‘Partner College status’ will further underpin our provision and enhance identified areas for improvement, continuing to grow our rugby offer for our student population.
“We are incredibly proud of our provision and believe our values align with those of the RFU to produce well-rounded learners who are confident, resilient, and aspirational while teaching respect, teamwork and discipline, plus enjoying the game too!”
Exeter College A Levels Top 10 Percent Nationally for Outstanding Progress
Exeter College is celebrating being in the top 10% nationally for the outstanding progress of its A Level learners.
The College has recently been awarded a 2022 Alps Certificate of Outstanding Progress, achieving a top 10% national position. This is compared to the A Level outcomes of 2,809 schools and colleges in the UK, including independent schools.
Alps is the leading post-16 data analysis provider in the country, used by almost 3,000 school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and tertiary colleges. The Alps analysis framework aligns with the vision of Exeter College, as it is designed to help students aim for higher grades. It is used to measure the progress of students from their GCSE grades to their A Level results.
This news may not come as a surprise for anyone who shared in the many congratulations for our A Level learners in summer 2022 when the College achieved the best A Level results in its history, and this in a year when students had no previous experience of externally set and marked exams. An incredible 69% of Exeter College learners achieved high grades at A Level (A*-B), way ahead of the national average which this year fell to 62%. In 2022 the College’s overall A Level pass rate of 99.3% was significantly ahead of the national average (98.4%), continuing the legacy of outstanding results at Exeter College.
John Laramy CBE, Exeter College’s Principal and CEO praised students and staff for A Level outcomes, he said;
“I would like to congratulate all our students, who have shown why we are an outstanding college. I would also like to thank all College staff, these results demonstrate that we have exceptional staff, who dealt with the challenges of the last few years with care, talent, and tenacity.”
The College’s 2022 Alps outstanding progress rating is further testament to the quality of the learning experience and ethos of supporting students to achieve their best.
Noteworthy subjects included both Law and Environmental Science A Levels showing progress at Alps grade 2.
Business Studies, which achieved excellent A Level results (with 78% of learners achieving high grades), returned an Alps rating at grade 3.
Our two largest A Level cohorts which saw over 75% (Psychology) and 69% (Biology) of students achieve high grades in their A Levels (with 44% of students in both subjects gaining A or A* grades), also attained an Alps rating at grade 3.
Exeter College and its Governors would once again like to reiterate their thanks and congratulations to the class of 2022 and thank staff, parents, and partners for making 2022 a year to celebrate.
Transforming community life in Exeter through learning
Exeter College Community Learning is delighted to announce a new partnership with CoLab and Exeter City Council. Partners are collaborating to provide opportunities for adults to participate in free and low-cost learning across the city through an initiative called the Urban Learning Academy.
The Urban Learning Academy is a venture exploring innovative approaches toward city-wide inclusive adult learning opportunities. The project was kickstarted by multi agency well-being hub CoLab funded through the National Lottery. It offers a range of sessions taking place in community hubs across the city, rather than a traditional bricks and mortar building,
Maddy Hearn, Adult Community and Partnership Lead at Exeter College, said;
“The Urban Learning Academy is an amazing new learning initiative for the city. Together with educators, and through listening to learners’ hopes and aspirations we are building an innovative programme of free to access learning that is open to all and delivered in accessible, community locations.”
Following a successful summer pilot programme, Exeter College Community Learning has designed a new programme of courses to take place in community locations including Exeter libraries over the winter months. Courses enable people to connect, build skills and improve wellbeing. Adults are encouraged to take part in learning programmes exploring creativity, employability, and numeracy.
Exeter College Creative Writing Tutor Sam Watson, who facilitated Writing at the Museum, a Creative Writing course taking place at RAMM (Royal Albert Memorial Museum) said;
“It is so nice to be able to meet with learners in such creative and inspiring locations. We took full advantage of the space and exhibits available at the Museum, and we wrote some beautiful pieces.”
The Winter Programme aims to offer free of charge, meaningful learning opportunities produced in collaboration with partners, to help shape curriculum and add value for learners. As well as feeling more connected, healthier, and happier, participants will be empowered to build confidence in areas such as writing, everyday maths, self-care, and employability skills.
Learners form close communities through their classes; Catriona, who took a poetry class at Exeter Library, said;
“It was so lovely hearing everyone talking about the poetry they like and great to hear them read their own words.” Catriona described being immensely proud of one of her fellow learners, she said; “They are so honest and so brave when facing challenges.”
Through experimentation, collaboration and a shared vision, the work has created a lively learning community and opened accessible pathways to connect and transform communities through new and innovative learning opportunities. Exeter is a learning city and Urban Learning Academy is providing equity of access in the heart of the city.
