This gives you an idea of what you may be able to study. See the Learning for Life course guide to find out which courses are running at the moment

Art

Classes are usually a mixture of tutor input and practical exercises, we hope to capture your interest, and increase your confidence.

• Drawing and painting: you can try drawing, painting, colour mixing, composition and perspective. We work with pencils, charcoals, pastels, watercolours, acrylics, or oils.
• Watercolours: we have classes for all abilities. Learn how to select the appropriate basic materials, mix colours, and use washes.
• Life drawing: develop an understanding of the basic proportions of the human figure, colour mixing for skin tones, and measuring techniques.
• Print-making: Experience an introduction to this very practical and exciting form of creative art.
• Contemporary / Modern Art: Always loved looking at modern or contempoary art, but been too scared to try and produce it yourself?  This course gives you the chance!

Crafts

• Ceramics: how to make ceramics using basic hand building techniques and pottery wheels. Decorate using slips and glazing, and learn to analyse objects and artefacts.
• Silver Jewellery-making: learn the basic skills of using hand tools and power machines. Once you have mastered these, you can go on to make a piece of jewellery of your own.
• Flower arranging: how to choose the most suitable container, flowers, and foliage and put together an arrangement.
• Card crafts: stencilling, silk painting, wax batik, rubber printing, Decoupage, cutting and folding.
• Creative textiles: try bag making, cushions, patchwork, soft toys, appliqué, decorative machine work, and quilting.
• Dressmaking: learn basic and more advanced techniques, using the sewing machine to its full capability, how to take correct measurements, fit, and make a garment.
• Sculpture: A practical, hands on approach to producing 'three dimensional' art work.  This course will introduce you to the materials and techniques utilised by professional sculptors.
• Stained glass: Suitable for both beginners and improvers, this inspiring course will teach you how to create stained glass images of your own design.

Furniture and interior design

• Interior design: what's possible in theory and practice? Work on an interior design scheme of your own, looking at colours, and how to produce a scale plan.
• Upholstery: learn to measure and estimate quantities of material for soft furnishings, and to use the tools involved in upholstery making.
• Furniture: learn the skills to repair, strengthen and make frames, and how to apply appropriate finishes, stains and polishes.

Guitars

• Guitar: we have guitar courses suitable for beginners through to advanced level. Start by learning basic chords, styles of strumming and basic finger picking.
• Electric guitar: learn to play from chord diagrams and tablature, and begin to build up a repertoire.

Dance

• Arabic Belly dancing: good exercise and great fun; it is for women of all ages, shapes and sizes. It is rhythmic and graceful, and movements are easy to understand.
• Bollywood: This dynamic, vivid and fun dance will leave you with a sense of balance and harmony, as well as giving a good workout.
• Flamenco: This course aims to give students the opportunity to learn one of the most popular and sensual dances in the Spanish world. A very pleasant learning environment is created, rich in music, rhythms and bodily expression.
• Latin and ballroom: learn the basic steps of the waltz, quickstep, cha cha cha, jive, mambo and social foxtrot.
• Rock 'n' roll: traditional 50s rock 'n' roll music and also 60s pop music, swing and rockabilly.
• Salsa: learn to dance the basic rhythms and steps of salsa and feel confident on the dance floor.
• Tap dancing: a great way to keep fit and learn something new.

Photography, digital photography and using digital images

• Photography: develop an understanding of the camera and how it works, we look at using different lenses, shutter speeds, apertures, and composing pictures.
• Digital photography: look at the benefits and implications of digital photography in comparison to conventional photography, and learn about the techniques.
• Photo editing: edit and enhance electronic images on the computer, learn the techniques and practice them through your own projects.

Business and administration

• Sage: This course is for anyone who wants to use the Sage Line 50 computerised accounting package.
• Business studies: an introduction to the business world. Learn about businesses objectives and the environment, business decisions, marketing, accounting and finance, and business strategy.

Computing

• Beginners: develop general skills and have the confidence to use them at home or work.
• Internet and email: Do you feel left behind when people talk about being online? This is an introduction to using the internet and sending emails.
• Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT): if you have basic computing skills and want a qualification why not try this, we focus on standard computer applications that are useful for in the office or at home.
• European Computer Driving License (ECDL): this is the European-wide, professionally recognised computer qualification.
• ECDL Advanced: the opportunity to progress on from the ECDL and use many of the advanced features of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point.

English

• English for everyone: do you want to brush up your skills in English? Our English for everyone courses can be tailored to suit your needs.
• English language and literature: understanding and appreciate the English language through the study of poetry, fiction, drama and non-fiction texts. Analyse language, themes and character in both pre and post 20th century texts.
• Creative writing: find your own voice and 'write the best words in the best order'. Some courses focus on writing your life and are aimed at over 50s. 

Maths

• Maths for everyone: do you want to brush up your skills in maths? Our courses cover basic mathematical skills, how to use calculations, and making approximations.
• Keeping up with the children in maths: family learning courses aim to help parents and carers develop their own understanding of maths so that you can encourage children in your care.

You can also study for a GCSE.

Language courses

Holiday and beginners courses are normally offered in French, German, Greek, Italian and Spanish. All other levels are normally offered in French, German, Italian and Spanish.

• Short holiday courses: essential language for coping with some holiday situations. For beginners and people with a basic knowledge.
• Beginners: develop speaking, listening and reading skills so you can request simple items or provide basic information when you're on holiday abroad.
• Intermediate: learn to deal with a wider range of holiday and social situations. You will also begin to develop the skills to write short messages. As you develop you will learn to tell of the past, and study the country's culture and traditions.
• Advanced: learn to deal with more complex holiday situations, recount future plans and research the country's culture and traditions. Study the literary culture of the country through reading extracts from books, poems, songs or short articles.
• Language, literature and culture: discover the culture and literature of the country, whilst improving your language skills and practicing more complex grammar with free writing and role-play.
• Advanced language: consolidate and develop all your language skills so that you are able to express hopes, aspirations, and opinions related to current, past or future events.

You can also study for a GCSE.

British Sign Language (BSL)

Introductory sign language looks at using the finger spelling alphabet and signed number system. You will also learn about different levels of hearing loss and its impact.

• BSL level 1 and 2: develop the ability to communicate about familiar day-to-day topics, acknowledging another signer and seeking confirmation. You can also learn about grammar, the deaf community and deaf culture.

Counselling, caring and first aid

• Counselling and communication: an introduction to some of the issues and skills in counselling and communication, including how to be an effective listener, stereotyping and prejudice, and blocks to communication.
• Drug awareness: raise your awareness of the drug situation today. This is a useful course for parents of teenagers, or those involved in youth and community work.
• First aid certificates: develop your knowledge of first aid, and practise the skills for dealing with emergencies wherever they occur. A good basis for a first aid at work course.

Cookery

• Beginners: increase your confidence in using recipes and cooking, and learn to prepare and cook a meal.
• Cookery from other countries: discover ingredients used in the country's cookery, and experiment with a variety of recipes.
• Cooking for entertaining: This course is for those who are interested in developing their culinary skills further, to produce professional 'chef-style' meals, with an emphasis on creating dinner party menus.
• Growing and cooking organic vegetables: 'grow your own', learn about the best ways of growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables organically.
• Cake decorating and sugarcraft: learn to decorate cakes with Royal Icing, sugar paste and floral decorations. In more advanced courses you can learn to make floral arrangements using a variety of flowers and to assemble them into posies and sprays.
• Food hygiene: we look at all aspects of food hygiene, including bacteriology, personal hygiene, temperature control, delivery and storage, cleaning, and pest control. Essential if your work includes preparing and serving food.
• Wine appreciation: learn how wine is made, the differences between grape varieties, between wines from different countries, and terminology used in tasting.

Health and wellbeing

• Yoga: provides you with a system of gentle exercises (Asanas), which are designed to gently stretch the body to develop strength, flexibility and increase energy levels; and breathing exercises (Pranayama), which bring about a state of calmness.
• Pilates: designed to improve posture, alignment and body strength. Includes exercises to strengthen the abdominals and increase mobility on the spinal area and breathing exercises.
• Tai Chi: suitable for all age groups, it improves relaxation, reduces stress and enhances your sense of well being. From a simple beginning you will be taught an expanding series of movements.

Complementary therapy

• Homeopathic medicine: taught through a series of progressive levels. The first level introduces the philosophy behind homeopathic medicine, principles of health and disease, how remedies work, and their indications for use in common ailments.
• Massage and aromatherapy: there are different kinds of massage, such as Indian head massage and Swedish massage, some courses look at using essential oils.
• Alexander technique: for promoting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing by becoming aware of how you sit, stand, walk, run and bend.
• Kinesiology: a natural system of healthcare to test the energy response of body muscles, it is a way of assessing how well the body is operating, and restoring balance.
• Reflexology: uses points on the hands and feet to clear energy blockages. It can be used to help problems, such as migraines, fatigue and digestive disorders.
• Stress prevention/relaxation: Learn how healing therapies can help minimise the effects of stress on the body and mind.

Personal development

• Building confidence: identify some short and long-term goals and work towards them, develop techniques to help overcome lack of confidence and self-esteem.
• Personal development: discover what you want in life, and develop a personal plan. Develop a range of techniques to deal with everyday stresses calmly.

Sports and leisure

• Bridge: play bridge, understand the rules of bidding, card play, signalling and how to score. Advanced courses cover topics such as dummy reversal, transfers, splinters and many other aspects of play, defence and bidding.
• Aerobics: increase your cardiovascular fitness and shape the body through low-impact aerobic exercises and muscular strength work.
• Badminton: learn about stroke production, movement, serving, basic strategy, and above all, enjoyment.