Milton Keynes is brimming with community educational facilities. The Open University, Milton Keynes College and Cranfield University all offer a wide variety of interesting and accessible courses. Each of the education organisations in this section will be able to advise on funding, should you need it.
If you are in need of financial help, the charitable sector may be able to assist you. Many of these organisations do not advertise, but you can get further details from Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living (MK CIL) – see page 11 of the guide.
Community Learning – Adult Education
CLMK Learning Centre, MK Central Library,
555 Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3HL
Tel: 01908 252500
Web: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/schools-and-lifelong-learning/CLMK/adult-education/adult-education-courses
The courses offered are often free, but for those that are chargeable, there are discounts for people in receipt of certain benefits.
The range of courses is quite large covering areas of interest including:
- Health and wellbeing
- Languages
- Arts, crafts and design
- English and maths
- Employability
- Professional training
- IT skills
- Family learning
- Adult Education courses in collaboration with MK College
The full list of courses and term dates can be viewed or downloaded from the website.
To enrol you can:
- Apply online (https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/schools-and-lifelong-learning/CLMK/adult-education/adult-learning)
- In person – CLMK Learning Centre, 555 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 3HL (entrance to the left of the main Library doors)
- By phone – 01908 242500
Venues across Milton Keynes
- CLMK – 555 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 3HL
- MKCC Civic Offices – 1 Saxon Gate, MK9 3EJ
- The Church of Christ the Cornerstone – 300 Saxon Gate, MK9 2ES
- Oakgrove School – Venturer Gate, Middleton, MK10 9JQ
- MK Gallery – 900 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 3QA
- Westbury Arts Centre – Foxcovert Road, Shenley Wood, MK5 6AA
- The Old Bath House – 205 Stratford Road, Wolverton, MK12 5RL
- Moorlands Family Centre – 6-7 Dodkin, Beanhill, MK6 4LP
- Rowans Family Centre – 13a Moorfoot, Fullers Slade, MK11 2BD
- Sunshine Children’s Centre – Merebrook Infant School, Furzton, MK4 1EZ
- Daisychain Family Centre, Abbeys Primary School, West Bletchley, MK3 6PS
- Saplings Children’s Centre – Knowles Nursery School, MK2 2HB
Learning Day Opportunities
Tel: 01908 253772
Email: Access.Team@Milton-Keynes.gov.uk
Web: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/adult-social-care/our-adult-social-care-services/day-centres-and-day-opportunities/learning
Day opportunities provide a range of support options to meet an individual’s assessed needs. The staff work closely with health and social care professionals, each person using the service will have a detailed individual support plan to meet their physical and emotional needs.
There are 2 services, at Tower Drive Neath Hill and Whaddon Way Bletchley, which offer a range of social, sensory and physical activities either within the building base or using different resources across MK.
The service is accessed following an assessment of eligibility completed by the Working Age Adults Team (see website). Support for adults with learning disabilities who have complex needs is offered by providing a range of individual support.
Learning Support Team
Milton Keynes College, Chaffron Way,
Woughton Campus West, Leadenhall,
Milton Keynes, MK6 5LP
Tel: 01908 684155
Email: ineedsupport@mkcollege.ac.uk
Web: https://mkcollege.ac.uk/student-info/student-support/learning-support/
The Learning Support Team organises support for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. The team is able to provide appropriate equipment and support following an assessment of needs, and offer potential students the opportunity to discuss their needs before enrolling.
A wide range of full- and part-time courses are offered at the College, including specifically designed programmes for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
The College is on two main sites, Chaffron Way and Bletchley, and both have good accessibility. There are also several outreach centres, and many community settings with varied accessibility.
The College aims to create opportunities for people to achieve their personal, educational and employment goals, by providing a quality service in an environment which enables all those involved to learn to their full potential.
Specialist and friendly team could provide support and guidance in the following areas:
- Emotional, behavioural and social difficulties
- Autistic spectrum conditions
- Dyslexia and specific learning difficulties
- Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia
- Deafness and hearing loss
- English and maths
- Medical conditions
- Mental health difficulties
- Physical disabilities/mobility needs (including access to our buildings and facilities)
- Study skills (organising your time and workload)
- Understanding tasks and meeting deadlines
- Visual impairments
Student Registration & Enquiry Service
The Open University, PO Box 197,
Milton Keynes, MK7 6BJ
Tel: 0300 303 5303
Web: www.open.ac.uk/disability
The Open University offers a wide range of part-time qualifications which you can study at home. They offer innovative teaching methods and study materials to bring learning to life in exciting, interactive ways, including podcasts, downloads, and DVDs, as well as textbooks. The flexible distance learning approach combines multimedia materials and support from a tutor.
Students can study at their own pace within a scheduled framework, and there may be the choice of attending tutorial or residential seminars.
Standard adjustments are available as standard to all learners – there is no evidence required for access to these. The include accessible module websites, module materials in a range of formats, online tutorials, extensions to deadlines, support for mental health and wellbeing and accessibility help. There is also specialist technology support – further information can be found on the website or by contacting the Student Registration and Enquiry Service on the above telephone number Mon-Sat.
Cranfield University
Cranfield Campus, Cranfield,
Milton Keynes, MK43 0AL
Tel: 01234 750111
Email: studentadvice@cranfield.ac.uk
Web: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/life-on-campus/wellbeing-and-support/disability-support
Cranfield University aims to provide an inclusive learning, teaching, and working environment in which disabled students and staff are not disadvantaged or treated unfavourably.
Conditions and needs that are supported include:
- Sensory or mobility impairment
- Long-term illness or physical or mental health condition
- Specific learning difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD
- Social or communication difficulty such as autism spectrum condition
Reasonable adjustments will be recorded in a Student Support Plan which is sent to staff on a ‘need-to-know’ basis and not shared outside the Student Wellbeing and Disability Support team without a student’s permission.
Advisors offer students one-to-one consultations to offer help, advice and support.
For further information, please contact the Student Advice Team.