Research and analysis

Community learning learner survey report March 2013

Report on a survey on why people take part in community learning and how they benefit from it. BIS research paper number 108.

Documents

Community learning learner survey report

Community learning learner survey: data tables

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Details

Describes the findings of a survey of 4,000 people who have recently completed a community learning course in England. It looks at what learners feel about the learning they have done and how it has affected their lives. The survey covered:

  • peoples’ attitudes to learning
  • motivations to participate
  • specific things the course gave them
  • other questions on how the course has had an impact on other areas of learners’ lives, such as parenting skills, health and well being, looking for a job, taking part in more courses, volunteering and meeting different people

These findings are shown for different types of learners depending on where they live, their income, gender and ethnicity.

The report also includes a section dealing with how many learners pay for their courses and whether they feel they are value for money.

This report looks at how well the current system of community learning is delivering against government objectives. As this survey took place before the new community learning objectives were introduced in August 2012, it provides a baseline for measuring future progress as reforms take effect.

The community learning learner survey data tables are available separately.

Follow-up survey in 2014 on the same group of learners:

Updates to this page

Published 1 March 2013

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