Our mission and Values:

• Lifelong Learning is for many and the few. Equity and social inclusion are at the heart of our strategy.
• Learners will be our central focus and we will make our structures more responsive to the needs of the learner.
• We are committed to developing and supporting a culture of lifelong learning for all, and to the development of collaborative links and working partnerships to meet the learning priorities of local and borough-wide communities.
• We will contribute to raising aspirations and learning achievement by the provision of inclusive learning opportunities.
• By challenging the barriers to learning we will actively support learners to achieve their full potential.
• We believe that learners are entitled access to quality learning experiences that are relevant and meaningful and that include impartial information advice and guidance so that learners can make informed choices.
• We will celebrate and recognise diversity, acknowledging that learning is for the whole of life. We recognise that alongside the diversity and diverse patterns of learning in our communities, achievement will be on many levels, in many locations, formal and informal. We will recognise and validate community-led learning.
• We actively encourage progression and acknowledge that progression can be vertical on pathways to employment, or lateral through active citizenship, participation and greater community cohesion.
• To be a listening service that is responsive and embraces change.
• Our ultimate goal is to create a skilled, knowledgeable community that is economically successful, that values individuals and their aspirations, and that enables communities to grow in stature.

Policy and Strategy

• The learner is central to our policy, by listening to learners and non-learners we will review and develop our learning programmes.
• Our main aim is to make a difference to the people of South Tyneside through having the following priorities
• Providing a cohesive Adult Learning Service, which provides family learning, training for work, non-accredited and certificated learning that is community based.
• We will also work with partners including employers and community groups to achieve our goals, striving to work collaboratively to achieve the maximum benefit for the learner.
• Provide relevant and meaningful, quality assured learning opportunities to enable individuals, groups and families to raise and realise their aspirations, which will enhance their quality of life and their career prospects.
• Improving the knowledge and skills of the people within the borough of South Tyneside so that they are confident, socially and economically active, understanding their rights and responsibilities.
• Ensuring the effective and creative deployment of resources developing and working with key partners.
• Seeking funding opportunities to maximise the learning opportunities for the community through effective bidding to meet identified needs to those communities in most needs to those communities in most need while supporting all learning so that, "learning is for the many and the few".