Our courses can help you gain new skills or get a job-related qualification
Update (8 March 2021): Our learning centres have now re-opened. Our current courses are online, in-class or a mix of both. Please continue to check our website for updates. Read more about how we are following government guidance for your safety.
Learn all sorts of art, crafts and fashion with us or get outdoors with our gardening courses. Explore our spring and summer 2021 art, crafts, fashion, horticulture and gardening courses.
Are you trying to get a job? Our Passport to Work programme for unemployed Waltham Forest residents includes digital skills, interview skills and teamwork. You will also create a learning plan and get access to job vacancies.
We understand that it can be hard to access a computer to keep up with your learning. To help, we have a new laptop loan service and we are exploring ways to help with internet access too.
You don’t have to live in Waltham Forest to enrol with us: our courses are open to all adults in the UK aged 19 years and older. Do you live in Loughton, Debden or Buckhurst Hill? Some of our courses are online, but if you live near Waltham Forest, you could also take an in-person or blended (online and in-person) course with us. Find out more about enrolling with us.
Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service is committed to supporting our residents as they learn new skills and gain qualifications.
Our 2020–21 courses, workshops and training are a mix of online and face-to-face learning. We have prepared our centres to ensure the safety of our staff and learners.
For English, maths, ESOL and all our qualification courses you will need to book a free assessment with us.
For most of our art, craft, gardening, community and family learning courses you do not need an assessment, so you can book your course online. Find out more about our courses: contact us.
Most of our courses are free or up to 70 per cent off depending on your circumstances. As of October 2020, we are also offering a 50 per cent discount on standard fees for even more of our courses. This is one way we are continuing to support learners during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more about our course fees.
Our social prescribing programme won the national Festival of Learning 2020 Health and Wellbeing award! Our specially designed creative and gardening courses help improve residents’ mental health. Participants learn together and explore the beautiful outdoor spaces of Waltham Forest.
Read more about our award-winning social prescribing programme
Our 2020–21 courses and training are a mix of online and in-class learning. We are following Public Health England safety guidance for Covid-19. Read about the changes we have made to help keep our learners and staff safe
Apprenticeships are high-quality, work-based training programmes. They are a fantastic way to start or change your career.
Our experienced team will help you find the right role. Start with our list of apprenticeship roles
Employers: you could get £2,000 to employ an apprentice! To find out how, email our team apprenticeships.als@walthamforest.gov.uk
Trying to get a job? Our free jobs help courses and resources can help.
We are also recruiting new apprentices and running our successful English Conversation Clubs remotely.
Keep learning with us! Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service is proud to join with other education providers and be a part of Keep London Learning.
Practise speaking English in a friendly group. Join one of our free English Conversation Clubs for Waltham Forest residents. We have clubs almost every day (Monday to Saturday) Join a free English Conversation Club
Our Clubs are run by trained volunteers. Want to volunteer? We offer free accredited training for the volunteers who run our Conversation Clubs. Find out more about becoming a Conversation Club volunteer
Our focus for the Adult Learning Service is helping you get the skills that employers need – from beginner level upwards. Our courses are easy to access, local and at times and days to meet your needs.
What people who have been on our courses say about them: