Evaluation of Brighton & Hove adult learning

The research team conducted a qualitative review of the Adult Learning Strategy with members of the Adult Learning Group (ALG), partner colleges and community partners in the City of Brighton and Hove.

The overarching goal of the Adult Learning Strategy was: ‘To ensure that coherent, inclusive and high quality learning is available for all adults in Brighton & Hove, focusing public funding on disadvantaged communities and those residents with few or no qualifications'. (Brighton and Hove Learning Partnership, 2007, p2)

The project received funding of £2,000 from the Brighton & Hove Learning Partnership and analysed data relating to activity between 2007 and 2009. It determined progress in the provision of learning opportunities, inclusive learning, information, advice and learner support, joint planning, support for high quality provision, and maximising funding opportunities.

The purpose of this evaluation was to consider the progress made by the Adult Learning Group (ALG) to date and identify what is required to achieve the overarching goal of the Adult Learning Strategy: To ensure that coherent, inclusive and high quality learning is available for all adults in Brighton and Hove, focusing public funding on disadvantaged communities and those residents with few or no qualifications.

The evaluation was designed to determine progress in six areas detailed in the ALG strategy:

> provision of a broad range of learning opportunities
> inclusive learning
> information, advice and learner support
> joint planning
> support for high quality provision
> maximising funding opportunities.

Research team: Professor Yvonne Hillier, Professor of Education, Education Research Centre, University of Brighton; Dr Teresa Cairns, Research assistant, Education Research Centre, University of Brighton; Helen MacIntyre, Research assistant, Education Research Centre, University of Brighton

The research presented findings, conclusions and recommendations relating to each area examined for progress. Some of the key findings included, the importance of:

> sharing and improving operational knowledge and strategic experience within the Adult Learning Group for future development
> addressing the infrastructure in the west of Brighton & Hove where learning and community engagement was poorly developed and had seriously hampered growth of effective learning routes for residents.
> considering the potential of volunteer schemes for capacity building by extending skills within communities
> providing appropriately targeted information for integrated and effective community-based access points into adult learning
> joint planning in producing some significant successes, notably the Recession Busting programme during 2009 and ways in which joint planning could be beneficial without adding burden.

Research dealt with progress towards the achievement of the Adult Learning Strategy objectives during the period 2007 to November 2009 in order to inform a refresh of the strategy, which took place in Spring 2010.

Publication
Cairns, T. and MacIntyre, H. (2009) Evaluation of Brighton & Hove Adult Learning Strategy 2007–2010