A NEW online school will be officially launched in Luton next month with its focus on lifelong learning.
A social enterprise called the Centre for Professional and Academic Development, (CentrePAD) will be launched at an official ceremony at Luton Town Hall on March 9.
CentrePAD is giving all residents of the town the opportunity to sign up for free for a one year membership to its ‘Live Lounge’ and more than 100 hours of online lessons each week. Its paid-for services have also been offered at a special rate.
Teachers deliver their lessons live online via state-of-the-art interactive classrooms.
CentrePAD specialises in community education, encouraging lifelong learning and tackling the need for accessible extra education, regardless of age, ability, or background.
Luton mayor Don Worlding said: “The virtual school is a unique experience for all children and adults to improve their skills and I look forward to receiving this wonderful gift on behalf of the citizens of Luton. I hope as many people as possible take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.”
And Martin Pratt, Luton Borough Council’s corporate director for children and learning, said: “Luton is a place which has a rapidly improving reputation for educational achievement. We hope that CentrePAD will help engage the whole community with continuing their individual and collective educational journeys.
“Access to education and improving skills and knowledge is important for children and adults alike. The kind gift made by CentrePAD to the people of Luton is a great addition to the range of ways in which we can all access opportunities to enjoy learning, raise aspiration and achieve even more. Luton is increasingly becoming a learning town, soon hopefully, it will become a learning city.”
CentrePAD focuses on courses that run parallel to the national curriculum and can be accessed by anywhere that has a computer and internet connection. Students are able to take as many different courses as they choose with their membership.
Full courses are separate to lessons in the Live Lounge.
Residents must register using the dedicated code by April 16. Registration opens on March 9.
Visit www.centrepad.org.uk/luton and enter password code lutonlearning to get free membership for the ‘Live Lounge’ and to register for the ‘Full Courses’ membership.