A ‘REVOLUTION in education’ began on Friday in Luton - with the launch of an online school, where Luton residents can currently sign up for £75 worth of free lessons.
The Centre for Professional and Academic Development(CentrePAD), a social enterprise, has joined forces with Luton Borough Council to deliver lessons live online via interactive classrooms.
Luton mayor Councillor Don Worlding, together with Kelvin Hopkins MP and Gavin Shuker MP, accepted a Certificate of Education during a gifting ceremony at the Town Hall, giving each resident membership to one of the school timetables called the ‘Live Learning Lounge’ where they can access over 100 hours of lessons per week for an entire year, free of charge, which would normally cost £75 for the year.
Luton-born brother and sister Zala and Ali Zia, who are part of a team of brothers and sisters who created CentrePAD, were at the ceremony.
Zala said: “We are proud and excited to develop a partnership with Luton Borough Council. The aim of CentrePAD is to provide the community with another avenue through which to achieve their aspirations by removing the barriers to learning – time, distance and cost.
“The live online school is accessible to everyone whether they want to educate themselves, or whether they want to support their formal education.
“It will allow people to continue learning throughout their lives, from the comfort of their own home and at their own pace.”
At the ceremony the mayor said: “I’m proud that Luton has been chosen to launch CentrePAD which really can be an education revolution for the town; this online school is an additional tool that can help to make Luton shine.
“Education is what drives us therefore we should not under estimate what impact this initiative could have on the country. On behalf of Luton’s residents, thank you for your gift.”
Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins added: “I believe this is the beginning of something very special – a new learning opportunity for everyone, giving people a second chance to learn which ultimately can help to change their lives.
“Congratulations to Zala and Ali on their initiative, they are outstanding individuals from our town and I wish them well for the future.”
The CentrePAD School focuses primarily on support courses that run parallel to the National Curriculum in mainstream schools for all key stages up to GCSE – and by the end of the year, even to A level.
The courses follow the timetable in schools so students are fully supported by live teachers accessible from home.
The courses are designed for any individual, whether in formal education or not and can be attended from anywhere that has a computer and internet connection. Even learners not in school can participate and benefit from the full curriculum on offer. Students are able to take as many different courses as they choose with one of the memberships. Timetables run during the week and on evenings and weekends, making it an ideal solution for time-poor individuals who need a realistic option for extra education.
The full courses timetable is separate to the lessons in the ‘Live Learning Lounge’, to which Luton residents have free access if they sign up by April 16.
The gifted ‘Live Learning Lounge’ membership will give students access to an entire timetable of over 100 hours of live lessons.
These free lessons will allow students to try out the various teaching styles and to get a feeling for the subject matter before choosing a full course.
Every citizen of Luton is eligible for the free ‘Live Learning Lounge’ membership and also for 50 per cent discount on the full courses membership, but must register using the dedicated code by 16 April 2012.
For access to unlimited courses the cost is £50 per month before April 16, or £100 per month for unlimited courses after April 16, or £35 per month for a single course.
Although courses will not begin until the Easter holidays, registration is already open and all registered members will be contacted when courses go live in April.
Visit {www.centrepad.org.uk/luton/|www.centrepad.org.uk/luton/|Click here for CentrePAD} and enter password code lutonlearning to get your free membership.