Wirral Lifelong Learning Service has a policy of charging fees for some courses. Our funding is received from Liverpool City Region, who expect us to set fees for some courses, the government view being that adults who can afford to pay for learning should pay, and public subsidy should be targeted at the most disadvantaged learners.
Skills for Life courses are offered free for all adults who need them. Skills for Life courses are Numeracy, Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at level 2 or below and (from August 2021) Digital Skills.
Any income generated from fees is used to fund more courses and growth. The fee policy is based on a rate comparable to other local providers who run similar courses
Wirral Lifelong Learning Service - Fees Statement
- Adult Learners who are on an Income-based benefit, or who earn less than £21,225 (£10.90 per hour) annual gross salary, will not pay course fees. When we say ‘earn’ we mean through either employment or through a pension
- further fee exemptions apply to Adult Learners depending upon their prior learning attainments – please phone our admin team on 666 3330 for details if you have been asked to pay a fee but wish to find out if you may be exempt
- Skills for Life / Functional Skills - Adult literacy and numeracy / Family Learning literacy, numeracy courses & Digital Skills courses are free (this is a national Adult Learning policy)
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at level 2 or below are free, to stimulate demand from targeted groups
- Very short tasters or workshops, comprising of one session, can be free, as a tool to encourage learners to progress to further learning.
- Courses targeting specific vulnerable groups are often free for learners.
- We do not charge an ‘Admin’, ‘Joining’ or registration fee.
For specialist courses and courses commissioned by another organisation or with sponsorship from employers, a higher fee should be charged to cover costs.
Remission of Fees Wirral Lifelong Service Fee Remission policy
In the 2022/23 year, more Wirral adults than ever before received their courses at no charge.
Courses are free to learners in receipt of an income based / means tested benefit. Courses are also free for all learners who individually earn less than £21,225 (£10.90 per hour) annual gross salary.
Fee Remission categories
| If you are… | Tuition & exam fees | What to bring as proof of entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| In receipt of an income-based benefit such as Universal Credit or ESA | No charge to learner | Letter or official document |
| in receipt of an individual income of no more than £21,225 before deductions | No charge to learner | Wage slip or P60 etc |
| in receipt of Pension Credits (Guarantee Credit only) | No charge to learner | Award notice or letter etc |
| Offender serving a sentence in the community | No charge to learner | Letter from Probation service |
| Taking a Skills for Life Course (English, Maths, Digital Skills or ESOL) | No charge to learner | Subject to status of course |
| Unwaged dependants of those listed above* | No charge to learner | Evidence of partner’s entitlement |
| Registered unemployed, but not in receipt of benefit | No charge to learner | Letter from Job Centre Plus |
Evidence
All proof of entitlement must be produced at the enrolment session or first teaching session.
Proof of entitlement must be current or dated within the last 3 months.
Examination, registration and certification costs
Exam and certification will be absorbed by the Lifelong Learning Service, for most adult learners, in the 2022-23 academic year, exceptions being:
- where a learner is an employee of or is a client of another organisation, and costs can be recovered from that organisation by way of invoicing
- where the course lies outside of the Skills for Life provision, for example, Equality and Diversity Training
- where learners cannot evidence fee remission category as detailed above
Refund of fees
We know that sometimes there is a genuine reason to ask for a refund. Refunds can be offered for the following reasons:
- where the course closes as a result of lack of numbers to make the class viable
- where a class is cancelled by the service for any reason
- the meeting times, venue or day of the class are changed so that it is no longer possible for an individual to attend
- a learner enrols in advance of the course starting and pays a fee but prior to the course starting their circumstances change so that they are entitled to a free class. Note this would not apply once the course has started
- in addition, a refund may be offered where personal circumstances change so that it is impossible to attend the class
Instalments
Paying by instalments means you are spreading the cost of the course. If you drop out of the course you will still have to pay the full amount owed. If the course closes for any of the reasons above, we will refund the instalment payments you have made.
Appeals
In exceptional circumstances learners who are not eligible for fee remission can appeal, in writing to the Business Support Manager, to be considered for fee remission. Contact is helenwilkinson@wirral.gov.uk
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually considering national changes in funding for adults.