Foreword: Adult Learning making a positive difference to residentsâ lives
Coventry City Council is committed to providing high-quality adult and community learning that meets the needs of our residents. We aim to offer a wide and inclusive range of courses so that everyone has the chance to build skills, move forward in their lives, and take part in their community. Our goal is simple: to help people succeed and make sure no one is left behind.
This report shows the positive difference that learning with the Adult Education Service makes. It highlights how our courses help people grow in confidence, gain useful life and work skills, and feel more connected to others. Many learners also tell us they feel healthier, less isolated, and better able to access other support, supporting the aims of the One Coventry Plan.
It is encouraging to see that over 70% of respondents gained or improved the skills they need for further learning, volunteering, or employment. This shows the strength and value of the service and its role in helping people reach their goals.
I would like to thank all the learners who shared their feedback, and the staff and partners who work hard to provide these opportunities across the city.
Councillor Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Skills, Education and Equalities
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Background
This survey explored the impact of Coventry Learns (Adult Education Service) courses that were predominately completed in academic year 2024 to 2025. The sample included learners who completed single and multiple courses across a broad range of subject areas which were delivered face to face, either online or in a community venue.
The data was gathered using an online questionnaire which was sent out to approximately 2,000 individuals with email addresses, and eligible permissions, 4 to 6 months after they completed their course of study. The survey generated a sample of 211 returns (response rate of 11%) providing an insight into the difference Coventry Learns made on their lives.
Eighty-three percent of respondents accessed their course via face-to-face delivery in community settings, 9% accessed their course online, and 8% accessed their course through a blended approach of both face-to-face and online learning.
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Introduction: what do we do?
Coventry Learns exists to provide accessible high quality learning opportunities for adults âto help them achieve personal goals and connect with their wider community. We enable people to build skills for work, get a qualification, try something new, meet people from different backgrounds, increase confidence and independence and improve health and wellbeing.
We strive to empower those with the highest level of need, reduce inequalities and improve the life chances of people in the city.
Learning programmes target those who are unemployed, whose first language is not English, young people who are not in employment or training, families and young parents, older people who are no longer working and require social engagement, as well as those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. We are part of the Skills, Employment and Libraries Service working closely alongside the Job Shop and partner organisations, providing a seamless service for residents.
Our offer includes courses and programmes [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education] that promote:
- Learning for Life: this route is for residents seeking help with personal development or support with their family life
- Learning to Connect: this route is for residents who are seeking new outlets and want to give back to the community
- Learning for Work: this route is for adults whose primary focus is either getting work, changing their job, or gaining promotion
We recognise that partnership working, building on trusted relationships is vital to engaging and supporting adults in need. We acknowledge that we should not accept that certain individuals or communities are ‘hard to reach’ and try to make our provision ‘easier to enter’. To this end, we collaborate with a range of voluntary and community sector organisations, faith groups and other stakeholders to extend our reach and maximise impact.
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Learning for Life: impact statistics
Note: respondents may have enrolled on multiple courses across a range of subject areas with different learning outcomes attached to each course.
Respondents feedback relating to impact on life skills. They reported their course:
|
Undertaking a course has: |
Definitely agree or somewhat agree |
|---|---|
|
Improved communication skills |
79% |
|
Improved problem-solving skills |
28% |
|
Improved reading and/or writing skills |
58% |
|
Improved maths/numeracy skills |
36% |
| Improved IT/digital skills | 25% |
Learning, coordination, socialising, communication, to manage my time, to learn the importance of being part of something to give me motivation. Learning builds and supports my wellbeing and l feel part of society.
I am more confident with all things digital. Everything is now online and it is very easy to lose your confidence with computers and very often used to decide not to do or go somewhere if you have to use a computer. Not now.
I feel confident to communicate with people and it’s really helps me to share my opinion with them. It’s helpful to understand British culture.
I’ve improved my reading, writing, listening and speaking. Moreover, meet a lot of people who come from different countries.
I take dance courses through adult education which are excellent. We definitely develop confidence, communication and enhance wellbeing.
Parenting and/or grandparenting
Note: respondents may have enrolled on multiple courses across a range of subject areas with different learning outcomes attached to each course.
| Learners on courses stated that they: | Definitely agree or somewhat agree |
|---|---|
|
Felt more confident about helping their child(ren) with reading, writing or maths. |
91% |
|
Felt more confident in helping with their children’s school activities |
90% |
|
Believed their relationship with the children improved |
90% |
|
Said they are able to help their children to lead a healthier lifestyle |
93% |
|
Reported improvements in their children’s school/college work |
88% |
Better able to Help children for their homework.
I learned ideas around brain development, parenting, sensory needs, and supporting my child in a calm and positive way.
I now understand what my kids learn at school, and I am better able to help them.
I have learned how to sign in British Sign Language (BSL) which helps me to communicate with the children I work with.
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Learning to Connect: impact statistics
Note: respondents may have enrolled on multiple courses across a range of subject areas with different learning outcomes attached to each course.
|
Respondents’ feedback relating to impact on active citizenship. They reported that they: |
Definitely agree or somewhat agree |
|---|---|
|
Gained skills or knowledge that could help in voluntary work |
59% |
|
Felt more of a sense of belonging to local community |
70% |
|
Were interested in making local area a better place to live |
67% |
|
Met people from different backgrounds |
91% |
|
Gained more understanding of other cultures |
64% |
|
Felt feel less isolated |
69% |
Ninety-six percent of respondents reported that their course helped their mind be active, over 90% said it improved overall wellbeing. As a direct result of the course, 81% said it had reduced stress levels, 82% said it helped to keep physically active.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they made fewer visits to their GP as a result of attending the course, thereby helping to reduce the burden on NHS and other healthcare services:
It's just makes feel more confident and more believe myself as I can do it all in class and more.
It has definitely kept my mind active and given me a sense of belonging and determination to go further with my education.
Helps me with my mental health and depression where as before I was always indoors not feeling like meeting anyone now I enjoy going to classes and meeting people.
It has given me something to look forward too, a purpose also given me a sense of achievement ! It’s particularly been a very tough year or two for my family…, having this course to attend it has been an absolute godsend.
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Learning for Work: impact statistics
Of respondents that answered a question regarding their employment status, 35% reported that they were in work at the time of the course; and 29% stated they were looking for work.
|
Respondents’ not in employment said that they: |
Definitely agree or somewhat agree |
|---|---|
|
Improved their motivation to find work |
68% |
|
Had gained skills they needed to find work |
69% |
|
Helped me access the Council’s Job Shop |
57% |
|
Gained skills or knowledge that could help in paid or voluntary work |
76% |
The courses have helped immensely in my gaining detailed knowledge and the path I need to follow to succeed.
I’ve benefited from Curriculum Vitae (CV) writing building my confidence and self-esteem. Travel to training and being independent. Developing confidence to get a job.
Improved my capacity to make well-thought-out plans to complete tasks on time.
It helps me to have my me time away from my caring role as a parent to a special needs child, and I can see a potential to get a job that will work around my personal circumstances after this course if finished.
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Learner journeys
Reza
Reza is currently living in the UK on a Graduate Dependant Visa. He is unemployed and actively seeking work, particularly in roles such as warehouse operative or delivery driver. He is attending an Entry 2/3 ESOL class at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.
By attending ESOL classes, Reza is developing his English skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and gaining confidence in everyday communication. He has made new friends and enjoys being part of the class community. Before joining, he spent much of his time at home, but now feels encouraged to go out, meet people, and participate more in his community, which has had a positive impact on his wellbeing. In Iran, Reza worked as an AirAsia Manager at the airport and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. Once his English improves, he hopes to return to a similar role in the UK.
Since arriving, he has found communication challenges to be a barrier to employment and daily interactions. He often relies on his wife for support, especially when communicating at his daughter’s school. His goal is to become independent, find work, and support his family, helping to build a better life in the UK.
Hua
Hua did not enjoy maths at school and does not feel she made full use of the educational opportunities in the past. She currently volunteers as a teacher with a Chinese language school alongside a paid job as a cleaner. Her career goals are to work in schools as a teacher, and so she feels strongly motivated to stretch herself to fully understand the GCSE Mathematics specification.
She also hopes to use the logical and problem-solving techniques she develops in her maths studies to help her develop more as a teacher and offer more effective teaching to her potential students. Hua is very grateful for the opportunity to improve on her grade and access the career progression opportunities that this will grant her.
Fatma
When she arrived in 2022, Fatma felt her English was a very low level and was not confident to speak on her own, leaving most of the communication to her husband. While attending her online class last year she felt she really improved her communication skills and she really enjoyed all the speaking and listening activities she did in class with her classmates.
As a result, she felt a lot more confident to speak to other people outside of the classroom and to understand them. Her progress in her communication skills meant she went on to achieve her Level 1 Speaking and Listening City and Guilds qualification in July 2025. It also meant she was more confident to apply for a Carers role which she now does for 3 days a week.
Fatma is very happy that her Speaking and Listening skills have improved enough for her to apply for this role and to enable her to do something she enjoys which is helping people, especially the elderly. She also feels that having this role will “make me to improve my language more”.
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ
Coventry Learns: in numbers 2024 to 2025
In the academic year 2024 to 2025 we supported 3,712 adults and young people with 7,512 enrolments:
- 48% enrolments were Community Learning; 46% Adult Skills; 3% Study Programme for 16 to 19-year-olds; 2% Apprenticeship programmes; 1% Leisure Programme
- achievement rate: all levels, types & funding = 87.5% in 2024 to 2025, a minor fluctuation from 87.8% in 2023 to 2024
- retention rate: 94.26% in 2024 to 2025 unchanged from 2023 to 2024
- pass rate: 94% in 2024 to 2025; unchanged from 2023 to 2024
- 59% of learners were from ethnic heritage groups.
- 62% of learners were from the lowest 30% deprivation codes in the country
- 21% of learners declared a learning difficulty and/or disability
- 77% of learners were women and 23% male
Adult Education Service
Address: Southfields Old SchoolSouth Street
Coventry
CV1 5EJ