Adult Education Service Learner Impact Survey 2022-23: Summary Report - Print version

Foreword: We’re here to deliver impact

This report highlights the significant impact that learning with Coventry City Council’s  Adult Education Service has on our learners, in terms of developing skills for life, skills for jobs, and skills to cope with social isolation and improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.

The Council is committed to adult and community learning provision and ensuring there is a balanced programme that provides opportunity for residents to benefit from a broad range of learning outcomes and progression routes. We want to give everyone an opportunity to thrive, and make sure no one is left behind.

Cllr. Dr Kindy Sandhu

Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Background to the survey

This survey examined the impact of Coventry City Council Adult Education Service courses that were predominately completed in the Autumn and Spring term within the academic year 2021/22. The sample included learners who completed single and multiple courses across a broad range of subject areas which were taught face to face either online or in a community venue.

The data was gathered using a quantitative online survey which was sent out to approximately 3,000 learners with email addresses, and eligible permissions, four to six months after they completed their course of study. The survey generated an effective sample of 682 responses (response rate of 23%) on the wider impacts of their learning with the Service.

Over two thirds of respondents accessed their course via face-to-face delivery in community settings, 20% accessed their course online, and 13% accessed their course through a blended approach of both face-to-face and online learning.

Introduction: What do we do?

Coventry Adult Education Service exists to provide accessible high-quality learning opportunities for adults ​that make a difference to their lives and helps them to progress​. We enable people to build their skills for work; get a qualification; try something new; make new friends; meet people from different backgrounds; increase their confidence, independence and wellbeing to achieve their personal goals and connect with their community.

We strive to empower those with the highest level of need, reduce inequalities and improve the wellbeing and life chances of people in the city

‘Being able to continue to learn and improve means so much to me and how lucky l am to live in Coventry with an Education Service who gives me and people like me with learning problems a chance to learn to be a part of my community allowing me to make choices in my life to take me forward and of course also giving me a positive outlook on people and life’

Learning programmes target those who are unemployed; whose first language is not English; young people who are not in employment or training; families and young parents; older people who are no longer working and require social engagement; as well as those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Within the council the service is part of the Employment and Skills Teams alongside the Job Shop and Employer Hub, providing a seamless service for residents.  

Our offer includes:    

• Skills courses (accredited) in English, maths, ESOL, Digital, Early Years, Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, Health and Social care, British Sign Language, Community Interpreting​
• Community Learning courses e.g., digital, art, photography, fitness, music, dance, languages & Family Learning​
• Active Learning programme for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities – skills for work and independence​
• ‘Study Programmes’ for 16-18 year-olds and 19-24 year-olds with an Educational Health Care Plan â€‹
• Apprenticeships and Supported Internships​
• Pre-employment courses - Sector Based Work Academy Programmes and Sector Gateways to meet local employers' needs​.

We recognise that partnership working, building on trusted relationships is vital to engaging vulnerable adults. We acknowledge that we should not accept that certain individuals or communities are ‘hard to reach’ and try to make our provision ‘easier to enter’. To this end, we collaborate with a range of voluntary and community sector organisations, faith groups and other stakeholders to extend our reach and maximise impact.

Learning for life: impact statistics

I have found the British Sign Language course very useful when communicating with deaf people…[…]…BSL has allowed me to access the Deaf Community at a social level, I hope to progress to be able to offer communication support eventually

My Creative Writing has been improved both for Fiction and Non-Fiction. I have gained confidence in my writing and also the confidence to enter competitions

It taught me who l am and showed me l can learn, and l can improve, and with support and encouragement l can do that and be part of society

In attending the courses I have become more confident to express my opinions both verbally and in writing. My social skills and confidence generally have improved

Achieved my functional skills level 2 so I could apply to university

Parenting/grandparenting

I have supported my daughter to lose weight and now she's confident and my other children are doing better at school

I’ve gained confidence to support my child's learning. A better understanding of healthy relationships with children and family

I’m helping my own children to improve their Maths and English skills

It’s helped support my son interacting with kids his age and the interaction with other parents helped on the stressful days!

Learning for communities: impact statistics

47% of respondents reported that Adult Education Course helped their mind be active, 44% said it improved overall wellbeing. As a direct result of the course, 32% were inspired to take up a new hobby or interest, 35% said it increased self-confidence, 30% said it helped to keep physically active.

20% of respondents made fewer visits to their GP as a result of attending the course. (131 people) thereby helping to reduce the burden on the NHS

Social skills - I can be quite anxious around people. Being an ethnic minority and a migrant, I sometimes worry about fitting in. However, the friendly atmosphere has encouraged me to open up and build relationships with my class.

I primarily take the classes for my mental health and well-being. I like learning new creative skills and making beautiful things, and being able to do this in a low-pressure, encouraging environment has been vital as for a few years my health has not allowed me to work.

Improving concentration and help with my learning problems. Having Alzheimer’s it keeps my brain working and reinforcing daily tasks for wellbeing

To study a foreign language is good for the mind, it helps maintain memory and as it requires a lot of concentration, it helps to not think about personal problems for a while.  It helps with confidence and resilience

I was diagnosed with long covid last Summer, and had been kept off work since due to a loss in physical and cognitive abilities. The weekly ballet classes have helped me to rebuild my strength and balance in a safe and monitored environment. Learning a dance routine has been beneficial to improving my memory. The sympathy and support I’ve received from my teacher and classmates have helped me with coping with the illness.

Learning for work: impact statistics

Of respondents that answered a question regarding their employment status, 40% reported that they were in work at the time of the course; and 60% were not in work.

My Level 2 certificate has helped me gain employment in a secondary school and make a career change as a result.

I can manage my self-employed business and do the booking work independently as a result of skill gained from Adult Education.

Yoga has been a longstanding hobby for me, but qualifying as a teacher and establishing my own small group practice - takes it to the next level

I only got a job thanks to the skills and knowledge gained from doing the courses

I can be lacking in confidence so the courses have helped me to approach my work in a more positive manner

The course helped me to have better commination skills at work

I signed up to be a volunteer at the local school which hopefully can help me get into paid employment thanks to doing my level 2 support in  teaching

As a result, I have started working on a voluntary basis, interpreting English to centre users and also as maths teaching assistant at Coventry College

I'm looking forward for seeking employment because I have gained knowledge and experience, I'm more confident.

Adult Education Service in numbers 2021-22

In the academic year 2021-22 we supported 3710 adults and young people with 8048 enrolments:

• 43% of learners were from ethnic heritage groups. Of these; 20% self-reported as Asian Heritage; 15% Black; 9% Mixed Heritage; 53% White; 3% did not provide details
• 42% of learners were from the lowest 30% deprivation codes in the country
• 15% declared a physical or mental health condition or illness
• 14% declared a learning difficulty and/or disability
• 45% received income related benefits
• 77% were women and 23% male
• Courses: 1,000+ learning opportunities were delivered. Of these 57% enrolments were Community Learning; 40% Adult Skills; 2% Study Programme for 16-18 year olds; 0.5% Apprenticeship programmes
• Tutors = Approx. 180
• Volunteers = 15
• Partner community organisations = 30+
• Achievement rate: all levels, types & funding = 83.83% in 2021/22, an increase of 3.21% from 2020/21
• Retention rate: 91.4% in 2021/22
• Pass rate: 91.7% in 2021/22; compared to 91.4% in 2020/21
• Progression: 62% of learners moved onto education/training and 13% into employment

Learner case study

Kseniya came from Ukraine to Coventry in Summer 2022 on a family sponsorship programme. Kseniya has had to overcome many personal challenges since arriving in the UK. She joined an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class in Autumn 2022 to practise her speaking skills, improve her confidence and gain a qualification. She has already achieved Level 1 Speaking and Listening & Reading exams and will soon complete a Level 1 Writing exam.

Kseniya has also completed a volunteer skills course and secured a volunteering placement in the role of a Welcomer with Coventry Cathedral. She has already made such an impact that the Volunteer Coordinator has offered her a placement in an administration role at the Cathedral where she will be working with the Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, she has started volunteering for the Adult Education Service. She will work with ESOL Migration learners and give one-to-one support. Both volunteer placements will help her towards achieving her future plan of working as a teaching assistant or administrator in an educational setting. As Kseniya puts it:

‘When I came here from Ukraine, I had no clue what I was going to do here. The only thing I clearly realised was that no one can succeed without knowing the language of the country they lived in. This understanding brought me to an ESOL assessment and my learning journey with Adult Education Service. At the very beginning I thought only about improving my English. Firstly, I wanted to feel confident using it in everyday life, and secondly, I realised that I needed it to be more in demand in the labour market…

Learning has changed different aspects of my life…[…]…It has had a very positive impact on my mental health, as it is extremely difficult to realise that everything you achieved and loved is in the past. My self-confidence has grown. Meeting and communicating with new people helped a lot. You begin to see that you are not the only one trying to get used to a new place and new life.

I believe that volunteering is a good start for me as a foreigner and help in meeting career goals...[Learning] is something that can give you a renewed sense of purpose, new friendships and a new outlook on life’.