Brief Description:

Astrology is probably the most ancient form of psychology in existence, dating back at least 4000 years. It offers fascinating insights into human character, revealing each individual’s unique potential – their needs and drives, values and beliefs, hopes and dreams as well as their special talents. The course teaches basic astrological skills, focusing on how to set up your own birth chart and then identify and analyse its main features. The aim of the course is to give you some understanding of how to start interpreting the chart of any individual who interests you – whether it’s a relative or friend, or a famous person from the past or from the present. Join the course and take your first few steps on an exciting journey of self-discovery.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

The course is suitable for all open-minded individuals – whatever their age or background – who are interested in increasing their self-awareness and discovering something about their potential. Students with no previous experience of astrology are welcome, but so are those with some basic knowledge of the subject, or have studied a little astrology in the past.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:
• Understand what modern psychological astrology really is – what it can and cannot do for you
• Learn the basic meanings of the signs, planets and houses in astrology
• Calculate your own astrological birth chart (using basic arithmetic everyone can understand) including the important ascendant (the sign rising in the east when you were born)
• Discover the range of possible meanings of the planets when located in different zodiac signs and houses
• Study and discuss your own astrological birth chart and the charts of others
• Learn a little about the history of astrology and its role in society today
• Learn something about the ancient myths and legends that can help us understand modern psychological astrology

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment

All materials will be provided.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Your date and place of birth with an accurate birth time if at all possible.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

1. Consider continuing your studies for a second term at Parkside.
2. If this is not possible, finding out for yourself online (or reading a book) about astrological aspects (the angular relationships between planets that give further information on someone’s character and are an essential part of everyone’s birth chart).
3. Starting to read some of the astrology books on a reading list your tutor will be happy to provide.
4. Having a go at setting up and interpreting other birth charts – practice is essential when learning a new skill!

The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

As celestial traveller’s we’ll begin with a grand tour of the Solar System, galaxy and beyond. Starting outwards from our favourite star, passing the asteroids and planets of our small corner of the Universe, and beyond into the wider stellar neighbourhood. Taking in various cosmic wonders of our Galaxy along the way, from pulsars to
black holes, we’ll enter the domain of the Local group and super-clusters beyond, formed by billions of galaxies, shaped into vast filaments around vast voids. Then over the remaining few hours, we will explore some truly amazing wonders that modern astronomy has brought us, from exoplanets, to dark matter and the ultimate fate of the universe. So if you truly wish to expand your horizons, and occasionally blow your mind in the process, then please join me for this one truly amazing journey:

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None required. Just a keen interest in learning more.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment

All materials are included – no extra cost.

For the first session, you will need to bring:

A light lunch. Drinks are available.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

The full course in the Summer Term.

Brief Description

On this hands-on course, you will learn to master basic traditional Indian cooking techniques and you will discover a different experience while learning and understanding the use of different spices at different levels.
A typical cookery evening will commence with the tutor providing a demonstration of the recipe that you will be cooking, this usually takes about 20-30 minutes. During the demonstration, you will be provided with pointers such as knife skills and kitchen safety.
Once the demonstration is complete, you will have the chance to sample the dish.
Then it is your time to cook at your own pace, your tutor is very much hands on and will guide you from start to finish.
Once you have finished cooking and cleaned and washed down, the following weeks recipe is handed out so as you can obtain the ingredients in plenty of time for the following weeks lesson. Each lesson is a total of 2.5 hours long.
You will need to also bring a dishcloth, tea towel and containers to take your food home in.
The lessons are run on an informal basis, which is fun to do whilst learning some new recipes and techniques.
If you have, a dietary concern/query do contact the office in advance.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Understand benefits of different Indian spices
• Learn about different food tastes of Indian cuisine
• Gain confidence in cooking Indian dishes
• Learn traditional serving techniques

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment

You will be given an ingredients list weekly and will be asked to bring the ingredients for the following week’s recipe at a cost of between £8 to £15 (max) weekly.

For the first session you will need to bring:

£3 to cover cost of the ingredients. You will be given a list of dishes names and ingredients for each lesson on your first day.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

You may wish to go for a specialist cookery course in Indian cuisine to gain further qualifications in cookery.
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

A course centered around working with timber. You will be learning and practicing the following joints: Half Lap, Mortice and Tenon, Dove Tail, T Halving, Bridal and Dowel Joint. Once you are confident with the individual joints, you can extend your learning by producing a five joint frame using all the skills learned constructing the individual joints. These joints are used in every day joinery projects. Once you have mastered these you can go on to make individual projects.
You will be shown how to use the tools correctly and how to sharpen/maintain carpentry hand tools.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

This is a course for beginners. No previous experience necessary.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course you will have the opportunity to:
• Identify and name common carpentry tools
• Know how to maintain carpentry tools
• Learn how to use them safely
• Produce woodwork joints

About Your Tutor:

Domenico Petrelli

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

If you choose to wear Steel Toe Capped Boots (which we recommend), these will cost approx. £20 from hardware stores.
The wood for the joint practice and 6 joint frame will be provided.

For the first session you will need to bring:

A pencil and notepad. No sandals, or open-toed shoes are allowed in a workshop setting. You are advised to wear steel toe cap boots in the workshop. Wood for the joints and frame project will be provided.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Your tutor will advise.
The Learn and Train office is also able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

In this course we will analyse, debate and calculate how we can reduce our carbon and ecological footprint. Furthermore, we will look at alternatives to plastic, how to save water and the potential of renewable energy.
In addition, we will explore sustainable transport as well as organizations and NGOs that are involved in providing sustainability. We will also debate the impact of the Climate change protests inspired by the Swedish schoolgirl Greta.

previous experience or knowledge is required

None

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:

• calculate your carbon and ecological footprint
• discuss and analyse ways how to reduce the carbon and ecological footprint
• understand the concept of sustainability and fair trade
• analyse the damage of plastic to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
• debate the impact of the Climate change protests

Extra costs on the course for example textbook, materials or equipment:

No textbooks required, power point presentations will be available

For the first session you will need to bring:
Yourself, writing pad and pen

On completion of this course, what might your next step be?

You can follow a course on www.futurelearn.com on sustainability
University of Leicester: “Concepts in sustainable development” 6 weeks
University of Bath: “Make an Impact: Sustainability for Professionals” 6 weeks
University of Bristol: “Unleash your potential: sustainable futures” 4 weeks

Brief Description:

This course is suitable for you if you are a complete beginner with little or no musical knowledge or experience. Techniques and skills will be aimed at preparing you to play any style of guitar music. The course will introduce reading music and tablature, successful tuning and replacing strings, playing/performance techniques and building a repertoire of songs and exercises. You will need to bring your own guitar to classes.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the participants will be able to:
• Read written music and tablature.
• Play chords and well-known songs.
• Perform strumming, finger picking and plectrum techniques.
• Play scales with a mind to improvise.
• Replace strings and tune the guitar.
• Recognise chord symbols and music terms.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

Cost of a method book available from the tutor at the first session. Approximate cost £6.00

For the first session, you will need to bring:

One working guitar; acoustic, classical or steel string.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

You could move onto the Beginners 2 course in the spring term
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

With the explosion in self-publishing and the growth of websites devoted to the form, short stories have come back into fashion. If you’d like to join in and write one – for your own pleasure, to read to your children or perhaps with the aim of publication – this course will take you through the process from beginning to end. You don’t need to come with an idea, just the willingness to explore and learn the skills required.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

An interest in creative writing.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:

• Identify writing goals and ways of working to achieve them
• Give and receive feedback
• Differentiate the elements required in storytelling
• Identify the skills of creative writing
• Write a short story

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment

None.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Pen/pencil and paper.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Writing Short Stories: The Sequel.
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

Flash fiction is a short, short story. Can you learn to write fiction in a flash? This workshop will get you started. Once you have an appreciation of the skills and craft that go into storytelling, you can begin to write coffee-time tales that take little time to read but are perfectly formed – short, but not necessarily sweet!

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

None

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:

• Identify the requirements of storytelling
• Explore the freedoms and limitations of flash fiction
• Identify sources of inspiration and ideas
• Produce flash fiction outlines

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

None.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Pen/pencil and paper.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Writing Short Stories
Writing Short Stories: The Sequel
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.

Brief Description:

Flash fiction is a short, short story. Can you learn to write fiction in a flash? This workshop will get you started. Once you have an appreciation of the skills and craft that go into storytelling, you can begin to write coffee-time tales that take little time to read but are perfectly formed – short, but not necessarily sweet!

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

No previous experience or knowledge is required.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to:

• Identify the requirements of storytelling
• Explore the freedoms and limitations of flash fiction
• Identify sources of inspiration and ideas
• Produce flash fiction outlines

About Your Tutor:

Ruth Wade has been a full-time writer for 20 years. For 10 of those she has been teaching the skills and craft of creative writing. She is also an accredited creativity coach. As a novelist she specialises in historical fiction and writes both under her own name and that of BK Duncan. She was a finalist in The People’s Book Prize 2016 and shortlisted for the Beryl Bainbridge First Time Author Award.

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

None.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Pen/pencil and paper.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Writing Short Stories
Writing Short Stories: The Sequel
The Learn and Train office is able to give course information or search for alternative courses for you.