Enrol on an English, ESOL or Maths course - Print version

ESOL classes

Course locations

We have classes in various venues around the city so there will be one close to your home.

Some of our classes are online only.  We will help you access our online classes.

Course dates

We run classes during the school term times. This academic year our term dates will be:

• Autumn - Monday 25 September - Friday 15 December (12 weeks)

Half term 30 October – 3 November

• Spring - Monday 8 January - Friday 22 March (11 weeks)

Half term 12 February – 16 February

• Summer - Monday 15 April - Friday 12 July (10 weeks)

Half term 27 May – 31 May

The course is 33 weeks but people can join anytime during the year up until the start of the summer term.

Classes are in the morning, afternoon or evening.

Childcare

We may be able to provide a crèche for some of our daytime classes.

English skill level

It doesn’t matter. We have classes at all levels from Beginner/Pre-Entry level to Advanced/Level 1.

Other entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements but we will need to meet the West Midlands Combined Authority eligibility criteria to enrol on this course. We will need to check your:

• passport/biometric residence card/EU ID card/proof of settled or pre-settled status/Home Office letter

and

• proof of household income eg payslips/income-based benefit information

You may need to have lived in the EU/UK for 3 years to join the class. If you are seeing asylum, you need to have lived in the UK for 6 months or have refugee status. If you are not sure if you meet the eligibility requirements, please book an appointment by phoning 024 7697 5200 and we will be happy to check your documents and advise you accordingly.

Qualifications

You will work towards an ESOL Skills for Life qualification from City & Guilds at Entry Level 1, Entry Level 2, Entry Level 3 or at Level 1.

How to join a class

Phone the Adult Education district office on 024 7697 5200 to book an appointment for an ESOL enrolment and assessment session.

Course costs

The course is free if you are currently seeking work, on low income or have a gross household income of less than £25,000.  A 33-week course costs £660.00.

Other courses

We also offer courses for ESOL learners to learn other subjects as well as ESOL.

• Caring for a Child for ESOL learners
• Community Interpreting
• ESOL for Care work
• ESOL for Customer Service
• ESOL for Driving
• ESOL to Functional Skills English
• ESOL & ICT (computers)
• Maths for ESOL
• Preparing to Work in a School for ESOL learners
• Study Skills for Vocational ESOL
• Volunteering for ESOL learners

For an ESOL assessment and enrolment appointment please call 024 7697 5200.

Functional skills maths classes

Course costs

Functional Skills maths courses are free, they are funded by the Government.

Course location

Maths Functional Skill classes run at a number of popular city venues but also, we offer online classes.

Course dates

We run classes during the school term times.

Maths classes will start mid September and will continue through Spring and Summer terms.

Classes are normally one session per week and we have them available every weekday.

• Morning classes are from 9.15 until 11.45am
• Afternoon classes are from 12.30pm until 3pm
• Evening classes are from 6.30pm until 9pm

Childcare

We have a crèche service available at some venues. If you need crèche, let us know when you enrol and we will do our best to find you a suitable class.

Maths skill level

It doesn’t matter what standard your maths is, we can help! We accommodate anything from absolute beginners up to GCSE level in our Functional Skills classes.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but your English needs to be good enough that you can understand what is being said in class and can read the exam paper. We expect that you should have English at Entry Level 3 or above.

Qualifications

We offer 5 levels of Functional Skills maths qualifications.

The least difficult is Entry Level 1 and the most challenging is Level 2, which is classed as equivalent to a GCSE Grade 4 (what used to be a Grade C).

When enrolling you will be asked why you want to do maths (your goal) and depending on your goal you will be guided on the qualification level best suited to your needs.

Sign-up for a course

Visit Adult Education Coursefinder [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adulted] and follow the steps to register your intention to join a Maths Functional Skills class.

Once we have received your application, the maths team will contact you to complete the enrolment process. This may be done over the phone or by inviting you to attend an advice and guidance and assessment session.

If you don’t feel able to apply online, you can come in to talk to at enrolment & guidance: however, at these sessions you will have to use computers at the venues to fill in an online enrolment form.

Please look on Adult Education [https://www.facebook.com/CoventryAdultEducationService/] or Coventry City Council [https://www.facebook.com/CoventryCC] Facebook pages for updated information of changes made as a result of COVID-19.

Maths managers can be contacted by email mathsclasses@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:mathsclasses@coventry.gov.uk]  or phone 024 7697 2511, 024 7697 2520, 024 7697 2523.

The Adult Education district office number is 024 7697 5200.

Identity and eligibility criteria needed for enrolment

You will need to prove your identity and eligibility criteria. To do this we need to see some ID.

• If you were born in the UK please bring your birth certificate, driving licence or passport.
• If you are an EU citizen please bring your passport/ID card
• Otherwise, please bring your residents' permit, passport with visa or whatever documentation you have that shows your resident status.

Other maths courses

We also offer GCSE maths courses.

GCSE maths classes

Course costs

If you do not already have a grade ‘C’ GCSE in maths (or grade 4 if you’ve studied the new curriculum), then the course is free. (We claim funding from the Government)

If you have a grade ‘C’ (or grade 4) GCSE in maths and are looking to improve your grade, then there will be course fees approximately (£350) plus the exam and administration fees (£45). If you have a low income you may be able to apply to the Learner Support Fund to pay your costs: we will discuss this once you have passed the assessment.

Course dates

We are offering Maths classes in the 2022 - 23 academic year.

GCSE classes will start the week beginning Monday 19 September.

The exam dates have yet to be confirmed, but are usually at the end of May/beginning of June.

Intensive Maths GCSE will start in January 2023 and will offer the GCSE course in a condensed period of time.

Childcare

We have a crèche service available for the daytime classes at some venues, please make sure you tell us at your assessment if you need a crèche place.

Entry requirements

To secure a place on the course you will need to pass an assessment that requires you to be working at around Functional Skills Level 2.

Your English needs to be good enough that you can understand what is being said in class and can read the exam paper (so should be at least Functional Skills Level 1).

Course content

This course covers the entire school maths curriculum in under 75 hours of teaching. That’s a lot to get through! Most of our students find the course quite demanding.

You will be expected to complete homework every week. You will often find that you need to do extra study and practise before you are able to complete the homework.

You should allow for at least 5 hours of home study a week.

Enrolment

Prospective GCSE learners should have a minimum of GCSE grade D/3 or Functional Skills level 1 and must pass a pre-course assessment before starting the course.  If you have been away from education for a while or have no qualifications but are confident in your everyday skills, come and talk to us.  Passing the pre-course assessment is the criteria for being offered a place on a course.  We will take learners for ONE GCSE only.  However, if you are uncertain which GCSE to apply for, you are welcome to sit both assessments to enable you to make an informed decision.

Phone the Adult Education district office on 024 7697 5200 to speak with admin support who will register your intention to join a class OR phone Matt Towner on 024 7697 1093 or via email at matt.towner@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:matt.towner@coventry.gov.uk] from 30 August.

Identity and eligibility criteria needed for enrolment

You will need to prove you are in the country legally (because otherwise, we can’t claim funding from the Government). To do this we need to see some ID.

• If you were born in the UK please bring your birth certificate, driving licence or passport.
• If you are an EU citizen please bring your passport/ID card
• Otherwise, please bring a resident’s permit, passport with visa or whatever documentation you have that shows your resident status.

We will also need your National Insurance Number.

Other maths courses

We also offer Functional Skills maths courses.

Exams for private students

No. We only allow students enrolled on one of our GCSE maths classes to take the exams with us.

Exam board

We use the AQA exam board.

Functional skills English class

Functional Skills courses and qualifications focus on the English skills you need to carry out tasks for life and work, e.g. letter writing, giving a short talk or understanding and comparing information from different pieces of writing.

Qualifications are available across five levels: Entry 1, 2, 3 and Level 1 and 2. To pass a Functional Skills qualification you will have an assessment in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening.

Functional Skills level 2 is often taken as an equivalent qualification to GCSE.

Course costs

There is no cost to the learner as Functional Skills English courses are funded by the Government.

Course location

Throughout the pandemic, our online courses were very popular: we will be continuing to offer online courses across the week using Microsoft Teams. Please see 'How do I sign up' for details.

There will be face-to-face classes in the following venues:

• Adult Education Centre, Telfer Road
• Bell Green Library
• Broad Street Centre
• Cheylesmore Community Centre
• Foleshill Women’s Training Centre
• Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre
• Muslim Resource Centre
• Southfields Old School
• Stoke Aldermoor Adult Learning
• Stoke Heath Community Centre
• Tile Hill Library
• Willenhall Education Employment and Training Centre

Sign-up for a course

For online and face to face courses, you need to have an assessment so we can find out the level you are currently working towards.

Online course

If you would like an online course, you should attend an online assessment. For this, you should have access to a laptop, PC or tablet.

Please register your interest for an English course online using Coursefinder [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coursefinder], choose the ‘I love English’ icon and then the option that best suits the course you want to do: for most people, this will be the bottom option, ‘English’.

When you have completed the application, you will be contacted by an English manager to discuss the best time for your assessment. You will also be asked for your ID [#assessment].

Face-to-face class

To enrol on a face-to-face class you must book your appointment.

You can do this by registering online using Coursefinder [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coursefinder], choose the ‘I love English’ icon and then the option that best suits the course you want to do: for most people, this will be the bottom option, ‘English’.

When you have completed the application, you will be contacted by an English manager to discuss the best time for your assessment. You may also be asked for your ID [#assessment].

or you can book by phone: call 024 7697 5200 

About the assessment

Online and Face-to-Face: You should allow up to two hours in order to complete a full assessment and receive advice and guidance on the best course for you.

At the assessment we will answer any questions you might have, find out what level of English you are starting from and then find a class that meets your needs.

The assessment

We need to check that you will be funded by the government for the course. To do this we need to see some ID.

• If you were born in the UK please show your birth certificate, driving license or passport.
• If you are an EU citizen please show your passport/ID card.
• Otherwise, please show your resident’s permit, passport with visa or whatever documentation you have that explains your resident status.

We will also need your National Insurance Number. 

We will talk with you about classes at a venue to suit you.

Course dates

We run classes during the school term times.

Classes are one session per week at the following times (no evening classes on Friday):

• Morning classes are from 9.15am until 11.45am
• Afternoon classes are from 12:30pm until 3pm
• Evening classes are from 6:30pm until 9pm (6pm - 8.30pm or 6.15pm – 8.45pm in some venues)

Childcare

We have a crèche service available at some venues. If you need crèche, let us know when you speak with a member of the English team and we will do our best to find you a suitable class.

English skill level

You should have good basic English speaking skills, but it doesn't matter how confident you are at spelling or reading and writing, we can help you. We welcome absolute beginners up to GCSE level.

Entry requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to show that you have good basic English skills (Full Entry Level 3 or above). 

There are no other formal entry requirements.

Qualification

Qualifications are available across five levels: Entry 1, 2, 3 and Level 1 and 2. To pass a Functional Skills qualification you will have an assessment in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening.

Functional Skills level 2 is often taken as an equivalent qualification to GCSE.

Oher English courses do you offer

• We offer GCSE English courses that start in September each year. You will need to sit a pre-course assessment for GCSE either in July or the beginning of September. Please contact Graeme Sutherland on 024 7697 2506 or email graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk] if you would like information about GCSEs
• We offer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes - which are courses for people beginning with the English language. Please phone on 024 7683 2100 or email esolclasses@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:esolclasses@coventry.gov.uk] for information.

Dyslexia

If you have been diagnosed with dyslexia, or given extra time to do work at school or college, please discuss this with staff at enrolment.

Visual Impairment

• Specialist English classes with access to assistive technology are held at Cheylesmore Community Centre.
• Braille: Learn or improve your Braille skills.  Classes are primarily for learners with visual impairment, and priority will be given, but places may be available for other interested learners.

For further information please contact Graeme Sutherland:
Telephone: 024 7697 2506
Email: graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk]

I would like some more information

If you need further information or would like to speak to someone, please contact one of the following:

• Graeme on 024 7644 5803 or email graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk] 
• Sarah on 024 7697 8729 or email sarah.brookes@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:sarah.brookes@coventry.gov.uk]
• Catherine on 024 7697 6456 or email catherine.fisher@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:catherine.fisher@coventry.gov.uk]

GCSE English classes

GCSE English: AQA exam board

GCSE English includes developing your writing skills and language analysis of 19th, 20th and 21st Century texts.

Courses are delivered through single 2 1/2 hour classes and up to 5 hours of home study per week. Optional supplementary classes and tutorials will also be offered.

Courses start week beginning 18 September. It is a 30-week course with an assessment through 2 exams in June.

For more information see below or contact Graeme [#contact].

Enrolment

Prospective GCSE learners should have a minimum of GCSE grade D/3 or Functional Skills Level 1 and must pass a pre-course assessment before starting the course.

If you have been away from education for a while or have no qualifications but are confident in your everyday skills, come and talk to us.

Passing the pre-course assessment is the criteria for being offered a place on a course. We have Foundation classes and Higher-Level classes depending on your score. You should allow 2 hours for the assessment.

Register your interest for an online course via Coursefinder [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coursefinder] or book by phoning 024 7697 5200.

Search for English courses or the tile below and choose GCSE English.

When we have received your application, you will be contacted to arrange an assessment.

The assessment

You will need to prove you are in the country legally (because otherwise we can't claim funding from the Government). To do this we need to see some ID.

• If you were born in the UK please bring your birth certificate, driving licence or passport.
• If you are an EU citizen please bring your passport/ID card
• Otherwise, please bring your resident's permit, passport with visa or whatever documentation you have that shows your resident status.

We will also need your National Insurance Number.

Course costs

If you do not have a GCSE in the subject you are applying for at grade 9 – 4 (A* - C), the course is free.

If you do have a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above, and need a higher grade for a specific reason, please talk to Graeme [#contact] as it may be possible to apply to the Learner Support Fund.

If you do not qualify for a free course or the support fund the fees are:

• Course: £350.00 (to be confirmed)
• Exam: £50.00

Further information

If you are offered a place on the course, you will be required to purchase a textbook: £19.20. Please speak to either Graeme or Jane if this will be difficult for you.

If you study online there will be a requirement to have a PC, Laptop or tablet.

Contact

• Graeme Sutherland: Graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:Graeme.sutherland@coventry.gov.uk] 024 7697 2506

Multiply Classes - Maths Tailored to You

What is Multiply?

Multiply is a new government-funded programme offering FREE maths and numeracy courses to adults aged 19+ who do not have a Maths GCSE at grade C/4 or a Functional Skills Level 2 qualification. The aim of this programme is to equip people with basic math skills that may pave the way for better job prospects, higher wages, or further study.

Maths Courses Tailored to You

Multiply offers both daytime and evening maths course across Coventry. Furthermore, we offer bespoke maths and numeracy courses for individuals, employers, and voluntary community sector organisations. These courses can be delivered in a venue of your choice, whether that is in an Adult Education venue, community centre, or in the workplace.

Examples of maths courses offered by Multiply include:

• Excel at Maths: Learning Maths Through Spreadsheets
• Intro to Maths for Coding
• Maths for Job Interviews
• Maths for the Workplace

We are also keen to hear what maths support you need – so please let us know if there are other topics you’d like to go through.

Financial Literacy Course

To help with the cost-of-living crisis, Multiply is offering free financial literacy courses. We cover a range of finance topics, including:

• Managing Personal Finances
• Understanding Payslips and Tax Code
• Understanding Pensions and Interest Rates
• Financial Fundamentals for the Self Employed
• Financial Fundamentals for Aspiring Managers

Course Availability

We run Multiply courses throughout the year and at range of venues across the city. We also offer online provision, with support to help you access them if needed.

We are confident we will be able to offer you a class to suits you.

Maths Skill Level

Multiply classes are targeted at those people who don’t have GCSE maths at Grade C/4 yet. If you struggle with maths, we will be able to help you, no matter how weak your maths skills are.

If you need higher level maths beyond GCSE, this is not the programme for you.

Other Entry Requirements

Multiply courses are funded through grants from the West Midlands Combined Authority based on Government rules. This means we can usually only offer places to people in employment who have lived in the UK for at least 3 years. (There are some exceptions for EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status and some other immigration statuses).

Proof of ID will be required when you sign up for a class, e.g. Driving licence, Passport, or another valid photo ID.

How to Join a Class

Enrol now via our Enrolment Portal [https://adulteducation.a365hosted.com/PSWebEnrolment/webenrolment.aspx?page=~/webcontrols/searchnewCC.ascx]. Just click on the ‘Maths’ tile to see all the courses we offer. To enquire about bespoke maths courses email multiply@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:multiply@coventry.gov.uk]

Course Costs

All Multiply classes are free to eligible learners.

Employers

If you are an employer and you have staff who need to upskill in maths, please contact us. We can offer tailored programmes to meet your needs or help you staff to access our existing provision. You can reach us on multiply@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:multiply@coventry.gov.uk]

Next Steps After Multiply

Coventry Adult Education Service offers a wide range of courses and has strong links with other training providers in the city. We also work very closely with the Council’s Job Shop. Once you’ve completed a Multiply course with us, we will offer you advice and guide to help you decide what your next step will be.