I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
English and maths Free courses for adults
Which class is best for me?
York Learning runs a variety of sessions that will fit around your day-to-day life. We have daytime and evening sessions, both face to face and online via Zoom*. Our face to face sessions run at Acomb and York Explore Libraries.
Our flexible timetable means that you can choose the pace and way of working which suits you best.
Whichever path is right for you, all our courses are delivered in supportive settings and our tutors are experts in meeting individual needs, including support for your exams.
Ring us or book a one to oneĀ assessment onlineĀ so that you can discuss your current level, needs and any anxieties with a specialist tutor. We will work with you to decide which course is best for you.Ā Whichever courseĀ you follow, York Learning offers personalisedĀ support so that you can achieve your goals.
Am I eligible for a free course or will I have to pay?
English and maths Functional Skills and GCSE courses are FREE for learners who:
- are aged 19+ on 31 August 2022
- hold a UK or EU passport, resident for minimum of 3 years
- do not have grade C or 4 or above in English or maths
English for Speakers of Other Languages courses are part funded if you meet these criteria, or free if you are earning less than Ā£18525 per year.
In all cases, please provide evidence of nationality and resident status at your assessment.
How long does the course take?
This depends on three things:
- Your personal starting point
- The level of the qualification you are aiming for
- The amount of time you are able to commit to the course, both within classes and in your own time.
- In most cases, it typically takes between 40 and 60 hours to complete a level ā or between 20 and 30 weeks of a once a week class.
If you come to us with the skills, just needing a few pointers on SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and exam technique; you might complete the qualification in as little as 20 hours.
It really does depend on the individual, which is why we have one to one assessments and expert tutors on hand to advise on the best course of action for each person. What we have found is that if you commit to regular attendance, you will achieve more.
Itās important to note that if youāre a job seeker thinking about starting a course, our offer is flexible enough to ensure you can complete the qualification, even if you start work halfway through.
Functional Skills courses are normally take place weekly. You would be expected to attend for up to two hours a week.
Exams take place on a monthly basis and are arranged when you are ready. You tutor will give you guidance about the best time for you to take your exam.
There are three levels of Functional Skills courses:
- Get Started – A taught class focussing on basic reading, writing or maths skills for those who may need additional support.
- Get On – A taught class based on Entry 2 and 3 Functional Skills qualifications in English and maths. Brush up on the basics and gain confidence.
- Move On – Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills qualifications for employment to return to learning or to prepare for further/higher education, apprenticeships and GCSE. Move On classes can be delivered as taught classes or as flexible learning.
Click here to book an assessment online or contact us to book your next steps.
Functional Skills courses are normally take place weekly. You would be expected to attend for two and a half hours a week.
Exams take place on a national timetable, set by the exam board. You will need to be able to be available for exams in May and June of your year of study.
GCSE English students will sit two exams of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
GCSE Maths students will sit three exams of 1 and a half hours.
You can start a one year GCSE course each September. These are intense, fast paced courses. Fast-track courses, which are even faster, are available each January.
Click here to book an assessment online or contact us to book your next steps.