As part of their learning this term, our ESOL, English and maths learners have been exploring how to engage with local and national decision-makers. In the lead-up to this week’s lobby of Parliament, they have written to their MPs to share why adult education matters to them and to their communities. 

One of our ESOL learners, Maimuna, chose to write directly to the Prime Minister. Her letter captures the life-changing impact that adult education can have and why investment in it is so urgent.

“Dear Sir Keir Starmer

I am writing kindly to ask you to review the funding on adult education. Adults education is really important for individuals growth, economic opportunity, as well as for community and society.  
 
To get adult learning participation back to 2010 levels, we would need at least £5 billion in extra funding. This amount does not even cover the larger skills gap identified by Skills England. 

We urgently need to move money away from expensive, inflexible programmes and invest in approaches that actually work – ones that are local, inclusive, and help people get involved again, build confidence, and move into stable jobs. 
 
Adult education has shaped me in ways I will never forget. Without it, I honestly don’t know where I would be today.  
 
When I first came to this country, I didn’t know a single word of English. Every day felt like a struggle. I depended on translators for even the simplest things. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had to ask someone to come with me to every appointment, or hope my GP could find a translator, just so I could understand what the midwife was saying. Even ordinary moments felt overwhelming. 
 
But everything began to change when I joined my local ESOL class a few months after arriving in the UK. Thanks to the funding for adult education, I was given a chance – a chance to learn the language, to find my confidence, and to build a new life.  
Step by step, I discovered my own voice. And because of that, I was able to raise my children with opportunities I never dreamed of. Today, they are studying to become doctor and engineer- something that fills me with pride every single day (contributing back to the UK economy and society). 
 
Adult education does more than teach skills. It transforms lives. It creates a culture of lifelong learning, where parents, families, and entire communities begin to value education. It sends out a ripple of hope that can touch generations. 
 
Every pound that goes into adult education returns to the country and society as multiplied through stronger families, confident parents, and children who dare to dream bigger and get  the country to move forward.  
 
I urge you to lobby for improved investment in adult education so that people in our community can access the opportunities they need. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 
 
Yours sincerely  
MM ” 
 

Join us in championing adult education

Maimuna’s story is echoed by thousands of adults across the country who have rebuilt their confidence, skills, and futures through accessible, community-rooted learning. Their voices underline a simple truth: investing in adult education is investing in stronger families, thriving communities, and a more resilient economy. 

As we head to Parliament, we stand alongside our learners in calling for fair, sustainable funding that gives every adult the chance to learn, progress, and contribute. 

Join us in championing adult education – whether by writing to your MP, sharing your support on social media, or standing with us on the day. 
 

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Further reading: Why Victorian lessons matter for FE Policy   

Looking back can sharpen how we move forward. In a recent FE Week article Tom Schuller – a former Chair of WM College and long-time Fellow and supporter – argues that lessons from 19th-century adult education remain relevant now. 

Early supporters of adult education created places where craft, languages, debate and the arts sat alongside practical teaching. Their aim was wider than immediate employment: they sought to foster civic participation, curiosity and confidence. These outcomes are harder to measure than a qualification or a job, but they are essential to individual wellbeing and community resilience. 

Today’s policy debates tend to prioritise productivity and short-term metrics. That focus risks sidelining the broader purposes of adult education.
We’ve seen the impact of thinking more broadly. ESOL classes help newcomers build language skills and a sense of belonging.
Across the arts and humanities, learners gain creative expression that supports wellbeing and strengthens civic voice.
Meanwhile, vocational programmes open routes into work while also developing confidence and self-belief.

Tom Schuller’s reflections invite educators, funders and decision-makers to value education’s social and human returns alongside economic ones. Long-term commitment matters too: institutions are built over decades, not in single funding cycles. Sustained investment in people and places creates learning spaces that change lives. 

As our College Principal and CEO, Dipa Ganguli, states: “At WM College, the past isn’t something we look back on with nostalgia – it’s a practical guide for how we serve our communities today. When adult education balances skills, creativity and a sense of belonging, it strengthens individuals and the places they live. Protecting that balance is essential if adult learning is to remain relevant, humane and resilient in the years ahead.” 
 

This Wednesday – Championing Adult Education in Parliament 

The values the College was founded continue to guide us today. This Wednesday (11 am–2 pm), WM College learners and staff will join a lobby of Parliament in Parliament Square organised by the London Region UCU, supported by principals and CEOs from adult education colleges across the capital. 

Held just ahead of Budget Day, the lobby calls for renewed investment in adult learning –  funding that recognises its social, economic, and community value. 

“Investing in adult education isn’t just about courses – it’s an investment in our economy and society,” says Dipa Ganguli, WM College Principal and CEO. “When learners gain skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging, they contribute to stronger communities, improved wellbeing, and reduced pressures on public services like the NHS. High-quality adult learning also supports the skills our economy needs to grow and compete globally. That’s why we are taking our message to Parliament: society and the economy both benefit when adult education is properly funded.” 

Learners from our ESOL, English and maths programmes will be taking part as an active element of their studies. In recent weeks, these groups have written to their MPs, shared their experiences of adult learning, and prepared to report back on the day when they return to college.

Their energy and commitment embody the very values Tom Schuller highlights in his article: confidence, citizenship, and the belief that adult learners deserve a voice in shaping national priorities. 
 
We hope you’ll join us and show your support, from letters to social media.  

Explore new opportunities at WM College 

If Tom’s reflections inspire you to take your own next step in learning, now is the perfect time. Our Christmas short courses and New Year programmes for 2026 are now open for enrolment. Whether you want to develop a skill, try something creative, build confidence, or plan for a new career direction, WM College offers a welcoming space to begin.