North East Wales Adult Community Learning Partnership receives positive feedback after Estyn inspection
North East Wales-based charity Groundwork North Wales is pleased to share that Estyn, the body appointed by Welsh Government to inspect education and training providers in Wales, has published a positive report on the North East Wales Adult Community Learning (ACL) Partnership. The report highlights the partnership’s strategic approach, strong progress for learners, commitment to learners’ wellbeing and personal growth, and tutor expertise.
The North East Wales Adult Community Learning Partnership is led and co-chaired by the Wrexham and Flintshire local authorities, with Groundwork North Wales contracted to deliver a range of accredited and non-accredited essential skills, wellbeing and family learning programmes for adults aged 19+ across both counties. Coleg Cambria and Adult Learning Wales also deliver specialist provision as part of the offer.
In 2024-25, Groundwork North Wales supported 1925 unique learners through the programme with courses on varied topics such as digital skills, cookery and using air fryers, women’s DIY, woodworking tasters, gardening, and family numeracy skills.
These courses can help individuals improve their job prospects, gain and develop skills, enhance their wellbeing, pursue personal interests and gain the confidence to go on to further learning. With a focus on communities, the sessions emphasise social interaction and building connections within the community.
Learners often describe how participation has improved their confidence and willingness to take responsibility for their own learning. They demonstrate ambition to progress to further learning, accredited courses or employment. Tutors differentiate learning effectively to meet a wide range of needs, including those of learners with additional support requirements. Estyn’s report highlighted these strengths in the partnership’s approach, amongst others.
Louise Stokes, Head of Training and Health & Safety at Groundwork North Wales, said: “Groundwork Training is pleased that the latest inspection report has once again been positive, having worked closely with the North East Wales ACL Partnership since its inception. Working in a partnership that is making such a difference to learners and giving them the confidence to progress to further learning, training or employment across our communities is fantastic.”
Find out more about the North East Wales ACL Partnership via their Facebook page @northeastwalesacl and Groundwork Training at www.groundworktraining.org.uk.
The full report can be viewed on the Estyn website: www.estyn.gov.wales