A UNIQUE partnership which changes the face of adult education in South Fylde is about to get off the ground.

Earlier this year, the Citizen revealed a initiative between Blackpool and the Fylde College and Lytham St Annes High Technology College aimed at making classes more accessible for adults who want to pick up new skills.

Now, the Education Partnership is preparing to welcome its first students, starting in early September, with a range of courses geared directly towards them.

A college spokesperson said the general interest had been good with people ringing up to enquire what sort of courses were being run following a consultation exercise earlier this year.

"The consultation document really looked into what people wanted to study," she said.

"We now have quite an extensive programme with something for everyone's needs."

The idea is to provide a range of part-time courses on the doorstep by merging the facilities at the high school, the college's Clifton Drive campus and the dual site at Ansdell. As high school head Michael Payne explained: "We are a small institution compared to the college but we have excellent technology facilities which are too expensive to be shut down at 3.30pm.

"We wanted to make the best possible use of these for the whole community."

College principal Mr Reg Chapman: "We thought if we worked together we could get more people coming in.

"The benefit of using a school is that adults don't feel so intimidated if they are going somewhere their children have been."

Subjects which can be studied through the Education Partnership include GCSEs Open College A and B Units, START and non-examination courses.

Enquiries can be made on (01253) 352352.

You can enrol for non-examination courses by post or telephone, by turning up at the first class or visiting the adult studies unit at the Clifton Drive campus on August 31 from 10am to 3pm.

For certificated courses enrol at the Ansdell campus on September 1 from 2 to 8pm, on September 8 from noon to 8pm or turn up at the first class.

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