Peterborough College host East of England ESOL Conference with NATECLA and CPCA

Peterborough College, part of Inspire Education Group, hosted the East of England ESOL Conference, welcoming practitioners, partners and learners to explore how high-quality ESOL provision supports inclusion, confidence and community cohesion. 

Delivered by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and NATECLA East of England, the hybrid event brought together sector specialists to share trauma-informed practice, resilient classroom approaches, national updates and powerful learner experiences.

The conference also highlighted the College’s national recognition for flexible and inclusive ESOL delivery. 

With over 1,200 ESOL enrolments, Peterborough College is the largest ESOL provider across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) area. This increase in enrolments reflects the significant demand for ESOL services in Peterborough, which continues to be a major hub for adult skills and community learning. By partnering with local employers such as Bakkavor, URBN, and GXO, the College delivers ESOL training directly in workplaces, meeting employers’ upskilling needs and supporting staff progression, productivity, and satisfaction.

As showcased by a feature in The Bell Foundation’s blog, Peterborough College offers a blend of digital and in-person ESOL provision designed to fit around adult learners’ lives, including those working shift patterns. 

Christian Adams, Head of Faculty – Adult Skills/ESOL and Digital Learning, said: 

“Many of our adult learners have low-paid shift work, meaning that they can’t commit to an evening class every week. So, we have put together lots of different ways to access our education. Our digital offering enables our learners to study online at home. Alongside that, we offer in-person lessons for those who want to have that increased sense of community and build friendships with others.”

The event highlighted how essential language provision is for both the economy and society. ESOL helps adults gain employment, progress into skilled roles, support their families, and contribute to their communities and local businesses.

Clare Wookey, Assistant Principal – Adult Curriculum and Partnerships, added: 

“We partner with local businesses that have employees who are new to English, some of whom might be working in jobs that they are overqualified for. Our programme involves supporting employees who would benefit from ESOL classes: learners are typically granted an hour within their workday to study with us and then another hour of private study in their own time. Not only does this incentivise learners to learn, but it also means that the employer has a workforce that can communicate better and thrive – it’s a win-win for everyone.

“We’ve also built strong relationships with external organisations and charities that work in the local community. For example, we recently partnered with local charity Gladca to host an intergenerational cooking event. Residents who might not normally choose to enrol at college were invited to come and cook with our younger learners at the college, giving them the opportunity to make new connections within the local community.”