Education

Hundreds of free courses on offer across Wales during Adult Learners’ Week

Published

1 year ago

September 9, 2024

HUNDREDS of free online and in-person courses, taster sessions and events are being offered across Wales to boost people’s career prospects, skills, confidence and wellbeing during Adult Learners’ Week from September 9 to 15.

Co-ordinated by Learning and Work Institute in partnership with the Welsh Government, this annual campaign turns the spotlight on lifelong learning opportunities in Wales.

Adult Learners’ Week coincides with the publication of Learning and Work Institute’s annual Adult Participation in Learning Survey which highlights the importance of continuously upskilling to either find a job, return to work or progress a career.

The survey also emphasises the impact of learning on health and wellbeing and building confidence to contribute to our communities.

Just under four in five (78 per cent) of current or recent learners said they are likely to learn in the future. Two in five (42 per cent) adults said they are likely to take up learning in the next three years and the same percentage would either like or need to change their career, industry or occupation in the next one or two years.

However, 70 per cent of adults who have not engaged in learning for the last three years reported at least one barrier to learning. The main barriers include work and time pressures along with the cost of learning, lack of confidence, being put off by tests and exams and feeling too old.

That’s why Adult Learners’ Week aims to make learning and skills opportunities more accessible to everyone and inspire people to discover how learning can change their lives.

The week provides an opportunity for people to embrace a second chance at education and work. Adults of all ages will be given a chance to start or resume their learning journey with new in-person courses and online sessions at entry level throughout September.

Advice and information will be available locally to inspire people to take up learning as a way of increasing their employability, building life skills and improving their quality of life.

People can attend special events, sign up to courses and seek advice and guidance on the opportunities available for them to brush up their skills, improve their confidence and health and wellbeing, discover new hobbies and make new connections.

Everything from digital skills, arts and crafts, health and wellbeing, numeracy and literacy, to life and job skills, the environment, languages and social sciences will be on offer.

Joshua Miles, Learning and Work Institute Director, said: “Learning is a lifelong journey that can enrich our lives in many ways. We learn for many reasons – to improve our career prospects, for our health or wellbeing, to make us feel more confident or even just because we’re interested in something.

“Every one of us has the potential to learn something new and in doing so live a more fulfilled life. Now, more than ever, it is important that we support and celebrate adults in Wales who return to learning later in life in the hope of a brighter future.”

Some of the courses and activities available across Wales this year include:

Museum Wales is holding a range of events during the week. The National Museum, Cardiff is holding a drawing group on September 10, The Fossil Swamp audio tour (Sept 12) and Clore Discovery Centre (Sept 13). St Fagans National Museum of History is hosting an introduction to enamelling and a mindful walk (Sept 10), leather stamping and painting (Sept 11), willow weaving bird feeders and a Welsh learners’ morning (Sept 12) and a sketching group and English leaners’ day (Sept 13).

Cardiff and Vale College is hosting an Adult and Family Learning Event at its City Centre Campus in Cardiff on Saturday, September 14 from 10am to noon.
Torfaen Adult Community Learning is delivering a range of inclusive lifestyle and leisure courses during the week, covering DIY, woodturning, preparing healthy meals on a budget, wellbeing and essential skills.
In North Wales, Rhyl-based RCS Wales is creating a podcast on the importance of good mental health for boosting confidence and self-belief to take the next steps in achieving a personal goal – available from September 9 – and a live online training session on September 12 between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Resource Denbighshire CIC is delivering four engaging activities themed ‘Be creative in the great outdoors’ focused on inclusion of disabled adults and those furthest from the labour market. Sessions include natural dyeing techniques for fabric and wood (Sept 9), nature search and clay impressions (Sept 10), habitats in nature and habitat home creation (Sept 11) and cyanotype photography (Sept 12)
Anti-poverty, youth and community charity Swansea MAD is hosting a Learning Event on September 12, offering taster sessions on Microsoft Office, online safety and security and 3D design, as well as developing skills, building confidence and helping people to re-engage with future learning.
In Mid Wales, Dysgu Bro Ceredigion Community Learning is delivering a range of taster sessions, including wildlife photography, using a defibrillator, staying strong and healthy, Internet safety and making a no-bake cheesecake in New Quay, Felinfach and Penparcau on September 9, 10 and 11.
In North West Wales, Eryri Ambassador Programme, in partnership with Eryri National Park and Plantlife, is running an introduction to rapid rainforest assessments and management at Llanelltyd Village Hall on September 15.

To find out what’s going on during the week and for personalised advice on learning options and the support available, get in touch with Working Wales on 0800 028 4844 or search https://workingwales.gov.wales/change-your-story/adult-learners-week .

The achievements of amazing people, projects and organisations will also be celebrated during the week. For inspirational stories about lifelong learners, look no further than the Inspire! Adult Learning Awards which recognise those who have demonstrated a commitment to never stop learning. The award ceremony is being held at the Coal Exchange Hotel, Cardiff on September 10.

Picture caption:

People across Wales will be engaging with free learning opportunities during Adult Leaners’ Week from September 9-15.

Education

Teaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER teaching assistant at Haverfordwest High School has been banned from working in education after sending highly inappropriate messages to two female pupils, including asking one girl to send him photos of her body.

Samuel Davies, who was employed at the school through apprentice agency Ap Prentis, was removed from the classroom in October 2022 when safeguarding concerns were raised. An Education Workforce Council (EWC) panel has now found his conduct to be sexually motivated and amounting to unacceptable professional behaviour.

Messages sent under false name

The panel heard that Davies contacted two mid-teen pupils on Snapchat using the name “Sam Bear Davies”. One pupil identified as Learner B received messages asking whether she felt comfortable sending him pictures. In one message he wrote: “I want to see that body and a few pics maybe?” followed by further requests for images.

Another girl identified as Pupil A accepted a friend request from the same account and was shocked to receive the message: “Oh hey, I am your teacher. Do not tell anyone, I would get into trouble, but I think you are really attractive.”

Davies also warned one of the girls not to tell anyone he had contacted her because he would “get into trouble”.

Both pupils later provided screenshots to senior staff which resulted in Davies being escorted off school grounds while an internal investigation began.

Previous concerns about boundary issues

Deputy headteacher and safeguarding lead Tracy Edwards told the hearing she had already spoken to Davies several times about his over familiar behaviour with pupils. Concerns had been raised including allegations that he offered teenagers a drag of a vape off school premises and that he had shown pupils photos of himself vaping in a school toilet. There were also reports that he had been overheard discussing pubs and clubs with under eighteens.

Although some of the earlier claims could not be verified, his behaviour escalated and a formal complaint was made once the social media messages were shared with staff.

Davies resigned from his role in January 2023. Police reviewed the matter but did not take further action.

Panel finds sexual motivation

The EWC committee found a number of allegations proven and concluded that Davies had deliberately targeted children under sixteen and that his actions were sexually motivated.

Panel chair Robert Newsome said Davies had abused his position and caused direct harm to pupils. He noted that Davies had shown no engagement with the disciplinary process, no insight and no remorse.

“This was a pattern that developed after he began his employment,” he said. “He knew what he was doing was wrong and took steps to hide it. His actions place him as a significant risk to learners.”

Davies did not attend the hearing and provided no representation. During the school’s internal investigation he denied all allegations.

Struck off indefinitely

The committee ordered that Davies be removed from the EWC register with immediate effect. He cannot apply for reinstatement for at least five years.

He has 28 days to appeal the decision to the High Court.

Community

Potential Ysgol Clydau potential closure ‘deeply concerning’

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE LAUNCH of a public consultation on the potential closure of Pembrokeshire school Ysgol Clydau just before Christmas has been called “deeply concerning” and unfair to local families.

At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which included statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn.

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clydau was previously made by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said it was “the heart of our society not just a school, it’s family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow”.

He added that closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

The Ysgol Clydau consultation has now been launched, on the eve of a plea to keep the school open being heard at County Hall.

A council statement accompanying the launch of the consultation says: “At its meeting on May 8, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population.”

A petition, opposing closure of the school, on the council’s own website, generated 648 responses, meaning it crossed the threshold to be heard at full council.

That petition call, along with a similar one for Manorbier school, which also crossed the threshold, with 1,511 signatures, is to be heard by councillors at the December 12 meeting of full council.

The Ysgol Clydau petition states: “We demand that Pembrokeshire County Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open. We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made.

“We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families.”

Paul Davies MS

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has voiced his opposition to the proposal to close Ysgol Clydau, describing the timing of the consultation—just before Christmas—as “deeply concerning” and unfair to local families.

Mr Davies also highlighted the impact that closing Ysgol Clydau would have on the local community and the Welsh language.

“Ysgol Clydau is a crucial part of the local community, and its closure would have a huge impact on the local area. It’s unacceptable that this consultation has been launched without any discussion with local stakeholders and announcing it just before Christmas is very disappointing.

Education

Paul Davies MS opposes proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Senedd Member criticises ‘deeply concerning’ timing of consultation

LOCAL Senedd Member Paul Davies has spoken out against Pembrokeshire County Council’s proposal to close Ysgol Clydau, warning that the timing of the public consultation — launched in the weeks before Christmas — is “deeply concerning” and unfair to affected families.

Mr Davies said the school plays a vital role in the community, and that any attempt to close it would have a damaging impact locally, including on efforts to promote and protect the Welsh language.

“Ysgol Clydau is a crucial part of the local community, and its closure would have a huge impact on the local area,” he said. “It’s unacceptable that this consultation has been launched without any discussion with local stakeholders, and announcing it just before Christmas is very disappointing.”

He pointed to the school’s strong record, noting that Estyn inspectors highlighted positive relationships between staff and pupils and praised a curriculum that makes purposeful use of the surrounding area to inspire curiosity.

“Closing this school would be to the detriment of local families, and it would also undermine efforts to protect and promote the Welsh language in the community,” he added.

Mr Davies urged Pembrokeshire County Council to ensure the consultation is meaningful by “genuinely listening to local voices” and working with parents, representatives and the wider school community to find a constructive way forward.