Education in North Wiltshire
The education authority does not lie with The District Council of North Wiltshire. This power lies with the County Council.
Community and Adult Education
The Wiltshire College provides par-time, full-time, HE, and IT courses for adults and communities. The aim of these programmes includes increasing the efficacy of voluntary sector, partnerships, consultation, and representation, delivering learning, and supporting learning.
Childcare
The childcare section includes various sections which include babysitting service, hospice care, residential care, services pertaining to child miners, schemes regarding school holidays, respite care, child protection, Chaperone service, etc.
Distance Learning
The County Council has undertaken a distance-learning program for the people who intend to earn and learn. This programme is called ‘Vision2Learn’. It gives vent to interactive courses, free of cost. All these courses lead to qualifications which bear national recognition. Another programme called ‘Learn direct’ is being incorporated. It has a number of exclusively fashioned online courses pertaining to office skills, computers, self-development, etc. This would help the individual to learn as per his convenience, i.e. he is free to choose the place, time, and pace of learning. ‘Get On’ and ‘Move On’ are the courses designed for people wishing to learn Maths and English language.
Grants
The Grants section includes the awards and grants provided by the County Council as well as other organizations. Some of them are given for the purposes such as book purchase, business security, school meals, private nurseries, home improvements including renovation grants, and assistance in home repair, allowance for disabled students, sports and development, student awards, student loan, etc.
Libraries
‘Library and Information Service’ department of the County Council holds the responsibility of running thirty-one static libraries and 4 mobile libraries all across North Wiltshire. The process of obtaining membership is very simple. The first and the foremost requirement is acquisition of work permit or citizenship of North Wiltshire. Secondly, address proof is needed. It might include production of any one amongst the allowance book, building society/bank statement, and driving license. Housebound people can avail of the home service. Visitors can attain a temporary membership by producing the library ticket of their house area. For them, absence of library card would result in payment of deposit for every item that is borrowed. The library card obtained is valid all over North Wiltshire and on its mobile libraries.
Parental Support
The County Council provides a 100% support to the parents who intend educating their children at home. There is no age limit on the either side. The County Council lays more emphasis on education, not schooling. There are also parent centres. Many new parents are provided with parenting guidelines.
Pre-schools
The entire North Wiltshire follows the ‘National Curriculum’. This curriculum is applicable for all the children who are aged between five and sixteen. It implies on provision of an assessed and structured education for almost all the subjects that are taught in the schools.
Internet Access
‘The Beaten Track Internet Café’ is said to provide the most speedy internet service. It is located on Cocklebury Road in Chippenham. Moreover, the libraries at Malmesbury, Calne, and Corsham provide a free access to internet.