Welcome to Northern Learning Trust

Our passion  is to make life better for those who are left out of the usual forms of education. We work with people to develop their basic skills in literacy, numeracy and communication. In doing so, we help transform their ability to cope with everyday life, and their enthusiasm for further learning.

We are ambitious not only to achieve change in local communities, but also to contribute to our wider region. As an independent registered charity, our contribution is unique in a number of ways:

Personalised contact with those in need.
We serve people who would not think of joining formal courses or signing up to programmes of study. We go to where they are, rather than expecting them to come to us. We often work with learners on a personal basis, or in very small groups of less than five people. As a result, we reach people who are otherwise excluded.

Personalised learning programmes.
We start by finding out what people need to learn for their daily lives, and what interests them. Then we make sure we develop skills that are highly relevant to their individual needs. For example, instead of expecting people to follow a textbook maths course, we work with them on issues like their money management – and develop their maths skills along the way.

Personalised development to help people make the next step.
All the time, we think about how people can develop further. Wherever possible, we make sure learning leads to external accreditation and national standards. We aim to help people achieve the confidence, self-esteem and basic qualifications to move into more formal education.

As an organisation, we are dedicated to professionalism. All our tutors are highly qualified professionals. We have Investors in People status and have a vigorous programme of in-service training and external courses. When the Adult Learning Inspectorate gave a top assessment to Newcastle LEA, no less than 20% of their observations were based on NLT staff.

We are the only Learning Trust that is based in the North East. Our turnover has grown to over £1.1m. Our aim is to continue our growth so that we make a bigger difference to more people’s lives.

Peter Wignall
Chairman of Trustees
Northern Learning Trust.