Workers' Educational Association

The Workers' Educational Association (WEA), founded in 1903, it is the UK's largest voluntary sector provider of adult education and one of Britain's biggest charities. It is a democratic and voluntary adult education movement, committed to widening participation in learning and education with a social purpose.  The WEA's vision and mission statement states that the goal of the organisation is "A better world, equal, democratic and just". It delivers learning throughout England and Scotland and there is a related but independent WEA Cymru covering Wales.

The WEA's provision is usually local to its students, usually providing courses in the communities where they live. In 2015–16 there were over 8,000 courses delivered in over 1,800 community venues and 75% of WEA students travelled less than 2 miles to their class. This reach and flexibility, with a broad range of subjects and strong community engagement, enables the WEA to reach a wide range of students who might otherwise not access adult education.

The WEA has throughout its history supported the development of similar educational initiatives and associations internationally. It is affiliated to the International Federation of Workers Education Associations (IFWEA) which has consultative status to UNESCO. Archbishop William Temple was a strong proponent of workers' education.

Albert Mansbridge (10 January 1876 – 22 August 1952) and his wife Frances (née Frances Jane Pringle, 1876–1958) established An Association to promote the Higher Education of Working Men in 1903 (renamed 'Workers Educational Association' in 1905), funded by two shillings and sixpence from the housekeeping money.

The WEA is divided into nine regions in England, a Scottish Association and over 500 local branches. It creates and delivers about 9,000 courses each year in response to local need across England and Scotland, often in partnership with community groups and local charities. These courses provide learning opportunities for around 65,000 people per year, taught by over 2,000 professional tutors (most of whom work for the WEA part-time).

The WEA is supported by the Government through funding from the Skills Funding Agency in England, and in Scotland by the Scottish Executive and Local Authorities. It also receives fees from learners on many of its courses and is often successful in funding bids from government, lottery and other sources for educational projects in local communities around the country.

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