Your Questions Answered

Do you offer courses for families?

In addition to part-time courses for adults our Family Learning Unit offers courses to family units. Some courses focus on families learning together while others are for parents/carers only, with the emphasis on supporting the family.

Who can join Oldham Lifelong Learning Service?

Our courses are open to anybody aged 16 years or over. Our Family Learning Unit courses are open to any parent or carer and their child(ren).

Where can I take a course with Oldham Lifelong Learning Service?

Our courses are taught in small, friendly centres across Oldham. As well as our own purpose-built centres, we offer courses in schools and community centres. Our flexible programme is designed to help learners fit their studies in around work and home life. Refer to Learning Centres list or Focus for full information.

How big are the classes?

To make sure that everyone receives the right level of guidance and support throughout their studies, our classes are small and friendly.

Do you offer extra support or special equipment to people who would like to join a course but would like support within the study room or need special equipment?

We have a skilled, caring and experienced team of learner support workers who provide a range of learner support for those learners who would like extra support to help them to benefit the most from their studies and achieve their individual goals.

We have a large range of additional support equipment and will assess every learners needs with them individually and in confidence.

When you enrol with us all you need to do is tell us that you would like to discuss your individual learning support needs and our Learner Support Team will contact you.

Further information on Learner Support is available on our Online Factsheet and in Focus.

When you join your course you will be given your own copy of our Learners Handbook which explains your rights and responsibilities as a learner and provides you with valuable information on what to expect as a learner.

Do you offer crèche facilities?

Many of our daytime courses are supported by free crèche facilities so that you can concentrate on your studies knowing that your child is being cared for by our friendly and expert team of crèche workers. Further information is available on our Online Factsheet and in Focus.

Do you offer reduced course fees or support for people on a low income?

Our course fees are clearly set out in Focus on Lifelong Learning, our list of courses, centres and facilities and support. If you are in receipt of benefits you may be able to pay a reduced course fee. The reduced course fees are also shown. Some of our courses, such as English and Maths Skills for Life are free.

If you are enrolling on to a course with a qualification you may apply for financial support from the Learner Access Fund. The fund can help learners on low incomes with fees, materials, travel costs, childcare and books. We have a similar fund for learners enrolling onto a course without a qualification called the Learner Support Fund.

What happens when I finish my course?

Our support doesn’t end there. Once you have completed your course we will discuss your progress with you and offer advice and information on your next step. You might want to progress on to the next stage with us or be ready to join a course with one of our partners in Oldham. If you are studying to develop a new skill you may be ready to move onto a course with a qualification or just to continue to develop your skills.

Our Mission Statement explains our aims.

The Lifelong Learning Service seeks to create opportunities and reduce barriers enabling adults to study and learn.

It positively works to provide local Lifelong learning opportunities to enable all learners to improve their confidence, develop their knowledge, skills and creativity and to realise their potential.

The service will consult its communities, learners and partners to ensure that it responds to changing local needs and demands whilst continuously improving the quality of its provision.

How do I enrol onto a course?

Courses with a qualification

We will need to make sure that you have the right entry requirements where these are required. Most learners on these courses discuss their plans with a member of teaching staff either by telephone, by calling into a centre or an Advice and Information Session.

Certain courses require you to meet a member of teaching staff to assess that you are ready to join the course you are considering. For example, if you are thinking of joining an ECDL course we ask you to undergo a brief assessment using a computer. We have found that all learners benefit from this assessment as it helps us to make absolutely sure that you will be able to choose the right level of learning.

Courses without a qualification

You can call into any centre or into any Advice and information session.

When you enrol, please make sure that you have all the information and paperwork that you need. For example, you should have your payment ready and proof of your income if you are applying for a reduced course fee. We may also need to see evidence of your previous studies. Full details are given in Focus and our course information sheets, also available on our website or by telephoning 0800 525 956.

Contact Details – how can I find out more?

You can find further information on the Lifelong Learning section of the OMBC website, which you can find at www.oldham.gov.uk/lifelong.
You can freephone 0800 525 956 or email lifelong.learning@oldham.gov.uk for your free copy of Focus on Lifelong Learning. Focus lists all of our courses and centres along with details of learner support facilities, fees and charges and everything you need to know to get you started on planning your course.
You can call into any of our Centres. Please note that centres may close during holiday times. Focus lists all of our centres so that if you wish to check opening times for the centre you wish to visit you can telephone them direct.
Advice and Information Sessions: Before our main enrolment times in September and January, we run Advice and Information Sessions. These are advertised in local press and listed in Focus. When you call into an Advice and Information Session you will be able to talk about your course with a member of teaching staff. We always have a member of the Learning Support Team and a member of the crèche team present. In addition a representative from Highways to Opportunities, the careers advice service will be available if you wish to talk about which qualification is best for you. If you are happy with all of the information, you can enrol onto your chosen course then and there.

Are there any entry requirements for the course?

Some courses are suitable for absolute beginners. Other courses do require prior learning - if you are unsure please contact the course leader or visit one of the Advice, Information and Enrolment sessions. You will need to be assessed for some of our courses before enrolling such as ECDL, CLAIT and our childcare courses.

How much does a course cost?

The cost of each course is listed in Focus. Please see the fees and charges page for full details of how a course fee is made up.

Do I have to pay a registration fee?

A registration fee of £7 applies to all of our courses with a qualification. This is already included in the course fee. Learners on English and Maths Skills for Life, Family Learning, Widening Participation and taster courses and learners aged 16 to 18 years on courses with a qualification do not pay a registration fee.

What advice and information is available?

Impartial advice and information is given at all times. Freephone 0800 525 956 to start your enquiries, or contact any of our centres.

Can I have my children looked after whilst I study?

Crèches are offered at many centres during the morning and afternoons, as indicated in the course details. There is no charge for crèche provision if you are attending one of our classes on site at the time of the crèche. Crèches run subject to minimum numbers and places may be limited. If the crèche is not available and you are a concessionary learner, we may pay childcare costs. Ask at enrolment.

Is there disabled access to the building?

Most of our centres have facilities for learners with physical disabilities. Let us know if you have any difficulty accessing your course.

Will my course run?

We sometimes have to merge or cancel courses if insufficient people enrol. Following enrolment, classes and crèches will be merged or closed if enrolments have not achieved the minimum number within the first three weeks. Wherever possible we will try to offer you an alternative. If we cannot, we will refund your fees in full.

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