Northamptonshire Adult Learning Venue Sponne School

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I search for a course?

You can search by subject, for example 'Art'.

Alternatively, if you know the course code or subject (available on the website/brochure) you can use this. If you leave all the fields blank then the search will return all courses.

Once you have found a subject you are interested in you can further filter your results by date, time of day, start month, availability and price.

You can further sort your search results by clicking on any column to group your results by, for example: - Subject or Start Date. This will filter the results by date in either ascending or descending order.

When you've found the course that suits you, click on Book place on the right hand side of the screen under course information sheet.

2. What is my account?

If you enrolled on to a course with us previously through one of the following options, then your details will have been recorded within our database. This means you already have an account that needs activating before you're able to book a course online:

Through our old website
By telephoning the service or contact centre
By attending one of free courses such as Neighbourhood learning, Family learning or Learn2b

For instructions of how to activate your account visit our how to page.

3. Is funding available for a course?

Some courses are not funded and are offered at full cost. For full information visit our fees and refunds page.

Most courses will be fully or part funded by the ESFA to be eligible for either a fully or part-funded course, a person must be legally resident in the UK/EEA for three years prior to the beginning of the course.

A person must be a British/EEA citizen, or have the right to abode in the UK, or be a refugee who has been resident in the UK since the granting of refugee status, or an asylum seeker with 6 months residency.

4. What course should I take to improve my employment opportunities?

There are subjects within the brochure that may help you to improve your chances at work or improve your chances of getting employment, these courses are offered FREE to people in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA), or another means tested benefit whilst currently active in seeking employment. Up to date evidence will be required.

The Adult Learning Service has a Learning for Work programme specifically designed to help people get back to work - see our website for further details.

We also work in partnership with the National Careers Service and can offer free advice and guidance in order to support you to take your next steps in learning and work. Your course tutor will be able to give you more information about this service.

5. What's my Learner Number?

Your Learner Number is available when you sign up for a course with Adult Learning Services. It is also available on the form when you register.

6. Can I pay for more than one enrolment at the same time?

Unfortunately we are unable to process multiple enrolments online. Each enrolment has to be processed individually due to the funding arrangements associated with these courses. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

7. Are there any other costs associated with my course?

Some courses will have materials and exam fees built into the course cost, where there are extra charges this will be clearly stated on the Course Information Sheet.
Some practical courses will require you to buy your own material, you will be sent a materials list with the rest of your course information. We advise that you do not buy any materials until the course is confirmed to run, 2 weeks before the start date.

8. Will I be reminded that my course date is coming up so that I do not miss my course?

If you book in advance of the course start date and have provided a valid email address, then you should receive a reminder from the team that your course is due to state. However we strongly recommend that you note the start date and time of the course. Refunds will not be given if you forget to turn up to your course or our reminder does email fails to reach you.

9. How will I know that my course is running?

If we have to cancel your course due to low numbers you will be informed 2 weeks before the start date.

10. I am not in receipt of any benefits can I get help with my fees?

We do have a small Bursary Grant that we can use to assist those suffering financial hardship, our aim is to help everyone to access our courses. Please email alsreferrals@northnorthants.gov.uk

11. How can I contact you?

You can call our customer service centre on 0300 126 3000 or email us AdultLearning@northnorthants.gov.uk

Terms and Conditions

Full course information can be found on the website

1. Complaints or comments

If you have a complaint or comment about the standard of service, quality of tuition or any other matter relating to a course, you should in the first instance either telephone 0300 126 3000 for advice as to how best to pursue your complaint or comment or email adulted-customerfeedback@northnorthants.gov.uk

Alternatively if you wish to formally complain this should be in writing to: Customer Feedback, Northamptonshire Adult Learning Service (NALS), FREEPOST NH0078 Customer Service Centre, One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton, NN1 1ED.

2. Variation of course details

The published details of each course are the basis on which NALS intends to provide the course at the time of publication. However, if the required number of enrolments (which varies from course to course and area to area) is not achieved, the course will be withdrawn and the course fee refunded. Also, any details shown for a course might have to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances, in which event every effort will be made to inform learners as soon as possible. If any such change is made either before or during a course which causes difficulty, the learner is advised to contact us as soon as possible.

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

Northamptonshire Adult Learning Service (NALS) is a countywide Adult Learning provider offering learning opportunities to residents of North and West Northamptonshire unitary authorities. The service is funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) with lead authority held by North Northamptonshire Council.
For the purposes of relevant data protection legislation, the Department for Education (DfE) is the data controller for personal data processed by the ESFA. Your personal information will be used by the DfE to exercise its functions and to meet its statutory responsibilities, including under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and to create and maintain a unique learner number (ULN) and a personal learning record (PLR).

Your information may be used for education, training, employment, and well-being related purposes, including for research. The DfE and the English European Social Fund (ESF) Managing Authority (or agents acting on their behalf) may contact you to carry out research and evaluation to inform the effectiveness of training.

For further information about use of and access to your personal data, details of organisations with whom we regularly share data, information about how long we retain your data, and how to change your consent to being contacted, please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-privacy-notice

4. Smoking

Please note that all schools and related premises are smoke free environments.

5. Safety first

You must follow regulations made for your safety and that of others. Ties and loose clothing should not be worn in workshops and areas where machinery is in operation. Long hair should be tied back. Students working in workshops and craft areas should discuss with their tutor the need for any necessary protective clothing.

6. Bad weather

In the event of very bad weather, e.g. heavy continuous snow or other dangerous road conditions, classes may be cancelled. We will: inform the local radio, place notices on our website if in office hours, attempt to inform all learners by phone or email where possible. Replacement classes will be arranged whenever possible.

7. Behaviour code

Behaviour on site and in classes is expected to be of a standard to allow effective learning to take place. Students on site and in classes are expected to ensure that their behaviour/activity does not cause offence, damage or injury to other students, staff or property. Students must follow any regulations or guidance given concerning use of equipment, smoking arrangements or car parking.

8. What to do if you have a medical condition

If you are worried about participating in a course because you have a medical condition you should consult your General Practitioner. Neither course tutors nor Northamptonshire Adult Learning Service can undertake to advise you as to whether or not any medical condition could be adversely affected as a result of attending a class. Upon request, the course tutor will provide your GP with any information about the course that they require.

9. Examination courses

Learners are advised that if they enrol on an examination course they will have the option to enter or register for the examination or equivalent at the appropriate time.

10. Admission to courses

Admission to any course is at the discretion of Northamptonshire Adult Learning Service. Our courses are available to people aged 19 or over.

For many courses no previous experience or qualification is required for entry. In some subjects an assessment of ability will be given and participants will be advised as to the suitability of the course, or as to what they should be learning.

If you want advice on selecting a course please phone the enrolment line.

Courses can be cancelled up to two weeks before the start of a course. Students are advised not to buy materials until the week before a course begins. Late starters will be charged a pro-rata fee only after the third week of the course.

Please note: From 1 April 2021 we will only be able to issue refunds via cheque payment. Please allow 5 to 10 working days for return of funds. To make a refund request please contact: AdultLearning@northnorthants.gov.uk

Sponne School - Towcester

For any enquiries relating to this venue please email AdultLearningVenues@northnorthants.gov.uk

Details

Sponne School
Brackley Road
Towcester

NN12 6DJ

Notes

Parking: On site carpark available, with disabled parking bays, close to the building entrance.
Internal Access: All classrooms are located on the ground floor.
External Access: Surfaces outside the building are flat with steps or curbs.
Toilets: No dedicated disabled toilets are available.

Directions

The school is situated on Brackley Road, the entrance is right next to a set of traffic lights, just after the turning for Pomfret Road. There is a bus stop further down the road near The Bull, which serves the 88 bus route.

For Plumbing courses the entrance to the room is around the back of the school. Please see map for car parking and entrance location.