Worcester MP Visits “Asset to the City” Learning Centre

Local MP Robin Walker visited the Fairfield Learning Centre on Friday 8 March as part of National Careers Week, whilst there he heard about proposed plans for an extension to the centre, which serves as Worcestershire County Council’s Learning Services hub for Adult Learning and Young Adult Learning.

Accompanying Mr. Walker on the tour was Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure, and Skills, Marc Bayliss.

While there they met young adult learners enrolled in Hair & Beauty courses and found out more about proposed plans for a single-storey extension to expand learning opportunities and community links. They also met adult learners participating in Maths GCSE, Multiply Numeracy courses, and a Neighbourhood Learning class working on a community enhancement project, and found out how Warndon Library, part of the Fairfield Centre, enhanced the experience of learners and the community alike.

Robin Walker, Member of Parliament for Worcester City expressed his enthusiasm for the Fairfield Learning Centre, "It's great to see both adult and young adult learners coming in and getting fired up to learn to improve their skills, and to see some of the exciting plans to expand as well. I think it's a great asset to the city, but more importantly than that, I think it’s helping people to understand how they can progress their skills and move forward and supporting both community and the skills agenda."

Worcestershire County Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure, and Skills commented on the proposed extension plans, "While it is still early days for this project, we are thrilled that a significant funding contribution has been secured through the Worcester Towns Fund, which will be matched with other dedicated resources to enhance education services. This expansion will help us give students an even wider and more comprehensive educational experience and allow us to work more closely with the local community in Warndon. "

The Fairfield Learning Centre is the home of Learning Services Worcestershire, managed by Anna Lee who was happy to welcome both guests during National Careers Week, "It was great to welcome our City MP to Fairfield and show them first-hand the work that we do with young adult and adult learners. Our Young Adult Learners enjoy coming to our centre as it offers them a relaxed learning environment, plus our study programmes and traineeships are a flexible alternative to a school sixth form or college."

Plans for the single-storey expansion include increasing the small hair and beauty training salon, along with additional space to accommodate Young Adult Learning provision and supporting learners aged 16 – 19 (19-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan) to access an alternative to mainstream education in a supportive environment.

The extension aims to provide students with a wider and more comprehensive educational experience, fostering closer collaboration with the local community in Warndon. It would mark the first major update to the property since it was opened by Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, in 2007.

Last year, the County Council’s Learning Services Worcestershire Team received positive recognition with a Good rating from OFSTED, highlighting their dedication to providing quality education and support.