News and Events

Co-operation growing at Sherburn High!

An adult education class for aspiring gardeners at Sherburn-in-Elmet High School has brought rural science facilities back into use and made the grounds a nicer place to be in time for the new school year.
As well as getting the local community involved in improving school facilities in a new way, the project has been an excellent example of fruitful co-operation between local adult learners, Schools staff, Adult Learning Service staff and local businesses.

The dynamic course tutor David Mitchell not only worked closely with school site manager John Wagstaff and rural science teacher Angela Barton, he involved support staff from his local area office at Selby and from County Hall in his plans to give his classes a practical dimension. He also persuaded 3 local businesses – fencing and building materials suppliers, and a plant nursery – to donate materials.

By the end of the Summer term the school had a completed refurbished vegetable plot, with shrub beds and containers also being given a makeover. The adult students went on to sell the plants they had grown in the school greenhouse at Sherburn Gala – all proceeds going to the school for the development of horticultural facilities. As Associate Headteacher Martyn Sibley put it, projects like this “make such a difference in enhancing the pride and feel of the school to students and visitors alike”.

Scarborough Cooks Awards!

The start of the Autumn Term has seen cooks in the Scarborough area bringing their new found skills to the table having successfully completed a year long NVQ level 2 Professional Cookery Course.

For the full story go to:
http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/newsandevents

Exhibition of Paintings at Knaresborough Library

Aspiring Knaresborough artists exhibit their work between Monday 12th to Sunday 18th October 2009


This exhibition features work by adult students taught by Knaresborough artist Helen Entwisle. It has become a popular annual fixture in the town, not least with the exhibitors themselves, who are justifiably proud of their achievements.

Longstanding North Yorkshire Adult Learning Service tutor Helen, who has exhibited at the Royal Academy in London and is the author of a book on English Impressionist artist Dorothea Sharp, reports that many of her students see the Knaresborough Library exhibition as the highlight of their year.

While there is clearly a demand for new adult education subjects like digital photography, traditional art classes are certainly not any less popular nowadays: “The continued support and enthusiasm makes it rewarding,” says Helen, “Painting and drawing can take you into a hugely enjoyable environment – whether you are experienced or a complete beginner. We are lucky to be living at a time when anything is acceptable in the art world. You can gain an enormous amount through regular practice, and there is the added bonus of being with like-minded people”.

This Autumn Helen (pictured below) will be teaching workshop-style classes at Knaresborough Community Centre (Stockwell Road, Wednesday mornings)and a class at Rossett School, Harrogate (Friday afternoons).

Knaresborough Library Opening Times

Monday 9.30am - 7.30pm
Tuesday 9.30am - 5.30pm
Wednesday 9.30am - 5.30pm
Thursday 9.30am - 1pm
Friday 9.30am - 7.30pm
Saturday 9.30am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Praise for adult learning service after dyslexia diagnosis!

A man whose dyslexia was discovered after he visited North Yorkshire County Council’s Adult Learning Service skills mobile has contacted NY Times to thank staff who helped him.

Albert Butterworth, 59, who moved to Thirsk from Leeds last year, visited the skills mobile, which as well as being a mobile classroom, visits towns, villages and events to raise awareness of the Adult Learning Service, in the town’s market place.

“I went in and said I could do with some help reading and writing tuition,” he said.

As a result, he started a Brush up your English course at the town hall.

“The tutor, Liz, thought there was something wrong and asked if she could get someone in to check,” he said.

Albert was referred by community development officer Karen Pattison and Skills for Life tutor Liz Spence Livingstone to Jill Swinhoe, the adult learning dyslexia adviser for Hambleton.

An assessment showed Albert had difficulties with reading and writing consistent with dyslexia.