Courses in Kendal
At Adult Learning in Kendal and the surrounding area we offer a wide range of courses to allow you either to gain a qualification or to learn a new skill.
The courses we offer use a blended learning approach; some classes are face-to-face in one of our local venues, some are taught entirely online using Zoom and some offer the flexibility of combining online learning with face-to-face teaching. This means that learners have a choice to suit their own personal needs.
We currently offer qualifications in Maths, English, Digital Skills, ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages), Employability Skills, Health and Wellbeing and a range of qualifications for Learners with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities.
We also provide a range of community learning courses to help you develop new or improve existing skills. Some examples include Languages (Spanish, French and Japanese), Arts and Crafts, Family Learning and Healthy Hearts.
The administration team is based at Kendal Library and we are always keen to speak to new and existing learners about their own individual needs and how we can help support these.
Community Development Worker
Helen has been actively involved in South Lakes adult education for the last 20 years, starting out as a Centre Manager and tutor at Dallam Community Education. In later years,
Helen's community development role involves building long lasting partnerships with a wide range of local organisations (including the Job centre, charities and the third sector) and together deciding on the most beneficial courses for some of the most vulnerable, hardest to reach members of the community. The longer-term aim is to encourage learners to access qualifications (including English, maths and IT) and to move towards employment.
Centre Manager
Before joining the South Lakeland, team Jennifer worked for 19 years as a Primary School Teacher. She has also been a foster carer. Jennifer joined the Adult Learning team in 2020 and provides an excellent level of support to our tutors and learners. Jennifer enjoys the outdoor life and spends a lot of her spare time fell running and kayaking. Jennifer has two teenage children who also keep her very busy in her spare time!
Andrew has been working within adult learning since 2012 and has a background in SEN. Andrew has developed a passion for all things digital and enjoys passing on his skills and knowledge to learners.
ESOL Tutor
Chris is a qualified teacher specialising in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and has experience teaching in Japan, Spain and the UK. Chris believes that we learn best when we are relaxed and having fun, so makes learning English as enjoyable as possible for his learners.
Healthy Hearts Tutor
Elaine is a qualified and experienced Personal Trainer working exclusively with clients aged 50+. She has additional qualifications, including Adapting Exercise for Older Adults, Exercise for GP Referrals, as well as being a qualified BACPR (British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation) Exercise Instructor. She is passionate about functional fitness and helping 'older adults' to exercise, remain mobile and fit for life.
French Language Tutor
Florence Tourne is a native French speaker. She has taught French locally for many years, running lively courses with the main focus on speaking and listening. She has a passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge of France and Belgium with others.
Arts and Crafts Tutor
Jo Burgess completed her B.A Hons degree in Textile Art at Winchester School of Art in 1999. She has gone on to teach a variety of art and textile course to a range of age groups and levels. Jo teaches up to 'A' level and has taught in many art colleges across the country as well as schools, including SEN education. Jo enjoys working within the community, offering a great range of courses within Art and Design. She is currently studying Art therapy alongside teaching which is focussed on expressing yourself through art in order to improve your focus and confidence in all areas of life.
Maths Tutor
Jo Jones has taught maths to adults for the past 10 years, from those who are confident but need a qualification to those who are petrified of maths but also need the qualification! She is very friendly and encouraging and has helped many people to pass their exams.
Karen graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee in 1988 with a degree in Textile design. After working for several years in a specialist fabric shop, Karen went on to achieve my teaching certificate at Canterbury Christchurch. Karen has worked in Art education for more than 20 years, her specialism is in art and creative textiles, using fabric and textile techniques to produce unique and beautiful pieces. Karen also loves to paint and draw using a variety of media.
Kathryn has many years of experience teaching in the Further Education sector and really enjoys teaching adult learners. Kathryn teaches a range of employability courses including confidence building for employability and Food Safety. She has a particular interest in promoting positive mental health and well-being. Kathryn encourages a friendly and supportive atmosphere in her lessons and welcomes learners from complete beginners to those wishing to develop their existing skills further.
ESOL Tutor
Mark is a qualified teacher specialising in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and has experience teaching in Italy and in the UK. Mark encourages learners to work collaboratively and loves to see learners' confidence and English language proficiency improve during a course.
ESOL/Spanish Tutor
Neil Stanley is an ex deputy headteacher with many years of experience in primary schools. He now teaches English to adults and also runs residential courses for foreign children learning English in the UK. He and his Spanish wife have three bilingual children and understand the importance of language learning.
Japanese/Origami Tutor
Sakiko is a native Japanese tutor who has lived in Japan for her most of her life. She has grown up creating Origami as parts of Japanese culture. She is also a dedicated teacher for children to teach Origami and other Japanese cultural art work.
One of our team is available to talk to you over the phone to answer any of your learning queries
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24hrs (excluding weekends).
