Education and lifelong learning information

We think you will find the following links useful, but please note that Cheshire East Council accepts no responsibility for external sites or their contents.

S = Subscription service brought to you free of charge by Cheshire Libraries.

Primary and secondary education

• Advisory Centre for Education National charity offering parents and professionals advice and information
• Department for Education
• Home Education Advisory Service
• Independent Schools Council
• National curriculum assessments practice materials for key stages 1 and 2 from Gov.uk
• OFSTED Office for Standards in Education; includes inspection report

Further and higher education

• Cheshire College, South and West Campuses in Chester, Crewe and Ellesmere Port
• Macclesfield College of Further Education
• National Council of Further Education Provider of NVQs
• Postgraduate Search Discover courses, funding and advice
• The Uni Guide What to study, where to go and how to get there
• UCAS Help for students, parents, advisers and staff about applying for HE courses
• University Compare Find out which UK universities have the perfect degree course for you with this UCAS course search tool and comprehensive university comparison site
• Warrington and Vale Royal College
• Year Out Group Help for those planning a gap year

Revision

• BBC GCSE Bitesize Revision site for GCSE students
• BBC KS2 Bitesize Revision site for Key Stage 2 students

Teaching

• BBC Teach Free primary and secondary school teaching resources
• Education Support Charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff in schools, colleges and universities
• Get into Teaching Steps into teaching
• Times Educational Supplement
• Times Higher Educational Supplement Job listings for higher education professionals

Student finance

• Scholarship search
• Student finance on Gov.uk

Languages and English for speakers of other languages

• Babbel This resource is offering free access for Ukrainian refugees to language resources
• Cheshire and Warrington Equality and Race Centre (CHAWREC) Based in Chester, offering English speakers of other languages (ESOL) a range of classes with qualified ESOL tutors. All abilities are catered for with both accredited and non-accredited classes and one to one support
• Duolingo Learn a language for free. Also provides help with learning English as a second language. The default language of the webpage can be changed from English to another language, e.g. Ukrainian
• English Language Centre The English Language Centre in Chester is a British Council accredited school. The general English course aims to develop communicating effectively in English. All aspects of language are covered, with an emphasis on speaking and listening
• ESOL providers in the North West Interactive map of ESOL and IELTS providers in the North West
• Learn a Language
• Learn English for Free with Cheshire East Skills and Lifelong Learning
• Learn English Online British Council site for teachers and learners of English
• Mondly app Learn 41 languages from your native language via the Mondly app which is accessible on any device. Mondly is offering free mobile language courses for Ukrainian refugees
• Open Culture language courses Learn over 40 languages for free online
• SayHi Voice translation app with 101 languages and dialects
• Tradduka Translation service for English to Ukrainian and other languages
• Translator EU Translation service for English to Ukrainian and other languages
• Ukraine Unlimited Learning  Learning and entertainment platform from Odilo. Ukrainian students, teachers and families can access 3,000 e-books and audiobooks. Learn new languages, cultures, history of the country of residence and many other subjects through virtual classes, book clubs and other learning experiences. Free apps available: Ukraine Unlimited Learning for Android and Ukraine Unlimited Learning for Apple

Lifelong learning

• City & Guilds Career and leisure courses, including NVQs and SVQs
• City and Guilds apprenticeships
• Employment Skills and Community Learning Advice and courses from Cheshire East Skills and Lifelong Learning team
• Find Courses Professional and personal development courses
• FutureLearn Free online courses from top universities and specialist organisations on a wide variety of subjects and skills areas
• Google Digital Garage Expand your career or business, and upgrade your  digital skills
• Guild for Lifelong Learning Offers a range of classes and course for adults, in partnership with Cheshire East Lifelong Learning
• LearnDirect Flexible courses via a local centre or from home
• Learn my Way from UK Online Centres has online courses from IT basics to shopping, job hunting, looking after your money and health & wellbeing
• Open Learn Free learning resources from the Open University
• Prince's Trust Team personal development programme Develop your skills and potential, increase confidence, self-esteem, teamwork and employability skills. Free for young people aged 16-25 years who are not in education, employment or training. Delivered by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Right Driver Practise the Highway Code online for free. All the DVSA revision. Questions for car, motorbike, lorry or bus. Compatible with phone, computer or tablet
• Skills Toolkit Free courses to help you learn new skills or change job. Hosted by Gov.uk
• Springboard Community, business and online courses, and work hubs
• Theory Test Pro S Simulation of UK's theory driving test
• University of the Third Age (U3A) Learning cooperative for people who are retired or semi-retired
• Vocational courses Free courses under the government's Plans for Jobs
• We Find Any Learner Matches people to free funded training courses nationally, using leading training providers. Suitable for individuals wanting personal development or organisations looking to upskill their workforce
• Where to Find Free Online Learning Advice from the National Careers Service
• Workers' Educational Association Provider of adult learning

Special educational needs and disabilities

• British Dyslexia Association
• Dyslexia Action
• Foundation for people with learning disabilities 
• Gov.uk : Special Educational Needs Government information on special educational needs
• IPSEA Independent Panel for Special Education Advice for parents
• Macclesfield Disability Information Bureau IT drop-in and learning centre
• MENCAP
• National Autistic Society Education and children's services
• RNIB Supporting blind and partially sighted learners
• Speaking Up, Speaking Out Activities and training for adults with learning disabilities, based in Macclesfield

Page last reviewed: 18 March 2024