Free GCSE and functional skills courses and qualifications in English and Maths.

Classes are available morning, afternoon and evening so you can fit learning into your schedule! Before joining, you'll need to attend a Skills Check session to find the right course. Email us at communitylearning.mk@milton-keynes.gov.uk to make an appointment.

You need to be over the age of 19 to attend these courses. 

Functional Skills

Some adults leave school without English and Maths qualifications. Later, they find they need these skills to succeed at work, in their communities and as parents. These functional skills will help you get the most from education, training and employment and help you to develop your independence.

Why should I enrol on a functional skills course?

• Success in work – functional skills have been designed to help you progress in the workplace.
• Employers recognise their value.
• Educational opportunities  – a functional skills qualification will enable you go on to further and higher education.
• Fulfilment in life – these English and Maths skills are important for personal development and will provide you with useful tools to handle everyday situations at home and at work.

GCSE

These are one-year courses running from September to June with exams and controlled assessments throughout the year.

Why should I enrol for a GCSE course?

• Adults enrolling on these courses often need a GCSE for work or study purposes.
• You may have sat a GCSE in English or Maths recently and not achieved the grade you need.
• You may be returning to study after a number of years.

Commitment and excellent attendance are required, as these are intensive courses.

Web links to the exam board websites:

• Pearson website for GCSE qualifications
• City & Guilds website for functional skills qualifications

ESOL courses are for people living in the UK whose first language is not English.

Courses lead to a national qualification. We offer courses at different levels, to find out more send us an email with your name and contact details.

Improving your English 

• Gain confidence
• Find employment
• Get on at work
• Study at a college or university
• Be involved in the community

Community Learning MK offers a range of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses from beginner (Entry 1) to advanced (Level 2). These classes will meet twice a week either during the day or at evenings and weekends.

You must be over 19 years old to join our courses and live in England.

Twelve-week courses cost £360, courses are free if you are:

• unemployed and receiving an income-based benefit (including Universal Credit) in your name
• employed and paid less than £25,750 per year

Residency and funding eligibility restrictions apply. To find out more please email us to get started.

Former ESOL students said:

• Learning English with CLMK gave me the confidence to go to job interviews.
• Now I understand what my children are doing at school and how I can help them at home.
• I can now talk to the doctor on my own.
• I got a job because I improved my level of English with CLMK.
• CLMK helped me to talk to my child’s school teacher.
• I made new friends at CLMK and that’s helped me settle in to the community.
• CLMK gave me the confidence to speak to managers and manage my issues at work.
• I now study nursing at university; improving my English helped me with my application forms.

Looking to start a new career, return to work, or build confidence in your skill? CLMK Employability courses are designed to help adults take the next step. These practical and accessible courses cover a wide range of areas including CV writing, interview techniques, business skills, health and fitness, health and social care, childcare, and volunteering.

Courses are delivered through both City & Guilds and Pearson BTEC qualifications, ranging from 6 to 36 weeks depending on the subject and level.

Why should I enrol on an Employability course?

• Boost your job prospects – Learn how to create a professional CV, prepare for interviews, and understand what employers are looking for.
• Gain recognised qualifications – Our courses are accredited by respected awarding bodies, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.
• Explore new career paths – Whether you're interested in business, health and social care, childcare or volunteering, we offer pathways to help you progress.
• Improve your confidence and wellbeing – Courses in health and fitness and personal development support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Flexible learning – With course durations from 6 to 36 weeks, you can find a programme that fits your lifestyle and goals.

Whether you're using a computer for the first time or looking to gain a qualification to support your career. Our Digital Skills courses are designed to support adults at every stage of their learning journey, from beginners to those seeking Level 2 ICT qualifications for the workplace.

Courses range from 4-week introductory programmes, including tailored options for learners aged 50+, through to Level 2 accredited qualifications in applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

All courses are delivered face-to-face, offering a supportive and engaging environment to build your confidence and competence.

Why should I enrol on a Digital Skills course?

• Start your digital journey – Learn the basics of using a computer, navigating the internet, and staying safe online.
• Build confidence – Our beginners and Over 50s courses are designed to be welcoming and accessible, with plenty of support.
• Gain workplace-ready skills – Learn how to use key applications like Word and Excel, and work towards a Level 2 ICT qualification.

Free health and wellbeing courses for those wanting to develop better coping strategies

View the current Health and Wellbeing brochure.

Learning enhances and empowers, providing us with knowledge and insight that can be truly life changing. These courses cover a wide range of topics and activities all geared towards developing new, healthier habits and strategies for dealing with the challenges life occasionally throws at us.

Some courses are more practical, while others focus in particular on improving personal relationships and confidence. Courses last for 1-10 weeks with sessions lasting between one and two hours. Find out what is on offer and enrol on these courses online.

Anyone that is over 19 and is resident in the UK (with an eligible visa status) can attend each course for free once per academic year (August - July). If you are not eligible for funding or wish to repeat a course within an academic year there is a cost of £50 per course.

IMPORTANT: These courses are not a replacement for clinical treatments or therapies.

They may not be appropriate if you (or someone you are referring) have been given a trauma‐related diagnosis (such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or a different mental health diagnosis.

If you are looking to refer a client/patient then please contact us first and we will send you a referral form to get more information.

To find out more about these and other courses on offer please contact the Adult Education team at Community Learning MK on 01908 252500 or email us.

Milton Keynes Family Learning is part of Milton Keynes Council’s Community Learning MK. We offer a variety of courses to adult family members and children which take place in schools, children’s centres, family centres or other community settings.

A number of our courses offer parents/guardians the opportunity to gain qualifications and we can also give support to adults wishing to gain national accreditation in literacy and numeracy.

Our courses include:

• Reading with your child
• Language and play
• Making and using storysacks
• Maths
• English
• Healthy eating and cooking on a budget
• Managing your money

We put great emphasis on learning and having fun!

For more information email Nicola Skelton or phone 01908 252006.

Through our Supported Employment scheme, we offer courses for those with a learning disability and/or autism who want to learn at a pace more suited to their needs:

City & Guilds Entry 3 Employability Skills "Pathways to Employment: Building Skills for Individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism".

"Next Stop: Work" is a 4-week follow-on course for those who have completed "Pathways to Employment" and aimed to support individual goals of achieving and sustaining work in the future by further developing social skills in the workplace, workplace etiquette and managing sensory challenges.