how can i get an education?

[hollberry]

hi, im 21 and i live in wiltshire. i left school due to intence bullying when i was twelve and because of this was too afraid to even be placed in a new school and was eventualy given a home tutor which was two hours, two days a week and only lasted just over a year. for the past few years i have wanted to go back but i don't even know where to start looking as i will have to start from scratch. Im not as concerned with getting the pieces of paper that go with formal education (they would be a plus) i just want to have the chance to learn. if anyone out there can help me i would be very greatfull. thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

All areas have local colleges. All of those colleges will do a range of education including basic English, Maths and so on.

You can either do courses full time, or if you cannot manage that, evenings or even weekends.

Have a look in the internet and find a local college.

You could also go into your local library. They will have details of local colleges, or any other education that is available.

[vehelpfulguy]

As an example I searched on wiltshire colleges and found this (it is just an example and may not be near you)

http://www.wiltscoll.ac.uk/info/college/aboutw iltscoll.asp

Part way down you can see they have an Information and Advice session where they can advise you of the best course or courses to take.

Any local college near you will also have an information session where they can give you advise.

[vehelpfulguy]

In fact if you look at the courses available at Wiltshire college on this page (again, only an example)

http://www.wiltscoll.ac.uk/courses/

And if you click on Part Time Courses you will see there is one called Adult skills for Life.

This covers maths, reading, writing, spelling and even IT (computers)

So as you can see, your local colleges cater for a whole range of skills.

I would just go to your local college, tell them what you want to do, and they will advise you of the best courses available for you.

[saxy_jag]

Hollberry, my heart goes out to you and I'm pleased you haven't let the bullies win by giving up on getting yourself an education.

Looks like vehelpfulguy has given you some good information, so I'd just like to add, don't feel shy about going to colleges and learning centres for help. More than anything, local centres are geared up for people just like you who have missed out on education and want to have another go at it (actually, larger colleges often have community-based satellite centres, so you don't even have to go to the 'big' place).

You could also give Learndirect a call. They have specialist advisers in all sorts of areas and could most likely point you to something/somewhere in your area:

http://www.learndirect.co.uk/

I used to tutor adult learners in basic communication and IT skills and never failed to be amazed at their levels of commitment and enthusiasm. They were a joy to teach and usually had skills of their own that I couldn't hope to match.

I well remember one lady who, when we were writing CVs, told she had no experience or qualifications to put on one. When we got further into the exercise it turned out she had been a professional singer for several years, ran her own dress agency and had been sole carer to her elderly father. I could never have done any of that.

[mattfox]

Hi Hollberry

Great to hear that you're doing what you're doing!

I started studying with the Open University last year (www.open.ac.uk) and they have a wide range of courses that you can study individually as they interest you, or towards a specific qualification (like a diploma or even a degree). Some courses are entirely online and some involve travelling to a venue.

They also have good funding options available - I'm employed full time but am still able to claim a full grant from them which depends on the salary.

By doing courses like these, you will only ever come across people that also *want* to study and can put those other experiences behind you!

Good luck

Matt