14 March 2023
The first formal adult education courses for men and women were offered in Redbridge in 1903 and Redbridge Institute estimates that some one million local residents have enrolled on courses since then.
Principal William Pickford explains:
“Our mission is to provide the stepping stones to support people to upskill or re-train. We know the transformative power of adult education and, as part of our 120th anniversary celebrations, we will be promoting the benefits of lifelong learning and increasing awareness across the Borough.
We want even more of our residents to benefit from the opportunities available – we are funded by the Mayor of London and lots of our courses are free to local residents and are designed to help them find good work or develop their careers.”
The only local authority adult education provider in London to be rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, and the 2019 winner of the TES’s Overall Further Education Provider of the Year Award, Redbridge Institute enrolls around 5,000 course participants each year.
The launch of its 120-year celebrations was marked by a Careers and Education Fair attracting more than 400 visitors, and a special afternoon tea attended by Mayor of Redbridge, Thavathuray Jeyaranjan, Leader of the Council Jas Athwal, and Council Chief Executive, Claire Symonds, along with staff and partners.
Councillor Jas Athwal said:
“We are a borough of entrepreneurs and this outstanding organisation is helping residents to make a livelihood, giving a second chance to people who perhaps missed out with their education first time round.
Redbridge Institute is making things happen, by unlocking the opportunities that people want and making sure they have the skills to make a life for them and their families. It has given people a fresh start in life.”
Learner Helen Tkachenko and her family came from Ukraine as refugees. She explained:
“The war happened so suddenly and I lost my home, my work and my friends. Coming to the UK was very hard, I had to start my life again from zero. I wanted to apply for a job but my English was very basic.
“I became depressed and needed to feel more confident. Redbridge Institute was really helpful and, on an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course, I found a lot of friends and my tutor created a positive atmosphere.
“Now my English has really improved and I started volunteering through Redbridge Council with the Lifeline Project, helping Ukrainian refugees. I now have a job supporting Ukrainian families and I feel like part of the community. The English courses are such a blessing for the Ukrainian community.”
Setu Hassan also enrolled for an ESOL course.
“I came to Redbridge Institute because I wanted to learn. I always had the hunger to study and I am also doing maths and some computer courses,” she said.
“I’m a mother with three children and can only do courses in the afternoon when my youngest is at her playgroup. My dream is to go to university and this is my first step.
“When I came to this country, I wasn’t able to speak English very well, now I can speak without fear. I really want to do something good with my life, to do a good job. Redbridge Institute has given me back my hopes.”
Assistant Principal Maria Sotiriou understands just how important taking the first step in returning to education can be. Having lived in the Borough most of her life, she started studying at Redbridge Institute when her youngest son attended the creche.
“I did the women returners’ course, which helped women to return to learning. I then trained as a volunteer to help in basic adult literacy classes. Eventually I trained as a teacher and secured a job as a tutor at Redbridge Institute.
“I was proud to become Head of Basic Skills as I had benefited from those courses and now I was able to help others.” Maria rose to become Assistant Principal and has worked at Redbridge Institute for 29 years.
Chair of the Governors David O’Donoghue, also understands the value of lifelong learning, having left school at 16 and progressed his career by studying part-time and acquiring professional qualifications. David said:
“Lifelong learning is more important now than ever. People are living longer and looking for both changes of career and personal development. Adult education provides the opportunity for them to develop and grow their confidence.”
David highlighted that the origins of adult education in the UK started in Windsor Road, Ilford in 1903.
Windsor Road resident Albert Mansbridge helped found the Workers Educational Association, to provide courses for both men and women. The Ilford Branch is one of the oldest in the country, with Ilford Council delivering adult education courses from The Town Hall for many years.
At the launch of the 120 years celebrations, a presentation was made to former Chair of the Governors at Redbridge Institute, Margaret Partridge, who served on the governing body for 28 years.
Margaret, also a former learner, originally enrolling to learn microwave cooking in the 1980s, said:
“Redbridge Institute has been a major part of my life. The skills I’ve learnt here – including counselling, and life coaching – are skills I have used almost every day since, in my working life and in volunteering.”
Former Principals Joni Cunningham OBE and Michael Briggs also joined the celebrations. Joni, who retired in 2021, said:
“It’s brilliant to see Redbridge Institute is still thriving after everything we’ve been through during the pandemic, it plays such an important role in the community and is vital for the borough’s prosperity.”
Michael Briggs added:
“There have always been new challenges and Redbridge Institute, and the Ilford Evening Institute before it, have always strived to respond and to be successful in helping people to learn new skills through these changes.
“We have been able to be the hub for people in the Borough. We have helped them to develop their learning and their success.”
A series of Easter roadshows in Ilford, Hainault, Fullwell Seven Kings/Goodmayes and Loxford will support residents to find the course that will transform their life. To find out more about Redbridge Institute’s 120 years’ celebrations, see https://www.redbridge-iae.ac.uk/120.