Concessionary fees
Working out how much you pay
You will find the total cost of each course with the course details in the online enrolment course search. The course fee is for the entire course.
For some courses there will be exam fees and these are included in the total price. These fees are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change.
Courses have been grouped into bands. Each band has a set hourly rate. The hourly rate has two categories, a standard fee and a concessionary fee.
The hourly rate includes basic material costs and specialist equipment or facilities which we need to use when teaching the course to you.
The Idea Store Learning Programme receives financial support from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the Greater London Authority. This enables course fees to represent good value and ensure access for learners. Course fees represent only part of the cost of running our programmes.
Band 4a is a further reduced fee band to support you to enrol onto an Adult Community Learning class with pre-employability as a focus.
| Band | Type of programme | Standard fee | Concession fee | Under 17K |
| 1a | Adult Community Learning Classes | £4 | £1.25 | £1.25 |
| 2a | Adult Community Learning Classes that require specialist facilities or venue | £4.25 | £1.25 | £1.25 |
| 3a | Adult Community Learning Classes that require specialist facilities and significant specialist equipment and materials | £4.75 | £1.25 | £1.25 |
| 4a |
Adult Community Learning Classes with pre-employability as a focus |
£2.75 | £1 | £1 |
| ASB.1 | Specifically funded qualification classes | £4 | Free | £1.25 |
| ASB.2 | Specifically funded qualification classes that require specialist facilities | £4.50 | Free | £1.25 |
| WS | Classes run for learners with previous skills and working on solo projects | £5.50 | £5.50 | £5.50 |
| FC | Classes run without any public funding delivered at full cost | £9.50 | £9.50 | £9.50 |
| FL | Specifically funded family learning (Maths, English and Employability classes) | Free | Free | Free |
| OS | All classes – overseas learners | £9.50 | £9.50 | £9.50 |
Payment of fee
The correct fee must be paid in full at the time of enrolment. Places on courses will not be reserved without receipt of the correct fee and documents.
Paying by instalments
If your course costs over £200, you can pay in two equal instalments. You need to pay one instalment when you enrol and the other within one month. You can pay by direct debit. If you withdraw (leave) from the course, you will still be expected to pay the full fee for the course.
Overseas fees
If you are an overseas learner and do not qualify for government funding, you need to pay the full cost of your course at the hourly rate of £9.50 per hour plus any examination fees.
Examination course
that lead to a nationally recognised qualification involve final assessment by an external examination board. This final assessment may involve checking work that is produced in class, a written examination at the end of the course or a combination of both.
Am I eligible for a concessionary fee?
To be eligible for the concessionary fee you
- must have lived in the UK/EU for three years or more
- be on one of the benefits shown or
- be the unwaged dependant of a person in receipt of that benefit.
You will need to provide evidence of these benefits which is also shown below in the table and be looking for work.
Friend and Carer Member
FREE place on one daytime Idea Store Learning course per term, when you are accompanying the Home Reader.
Pensioner
If you are a pensioner and have uploaded your evidence into your online enrolment account, you do not need to submit evidence again.
If you are a pensioner enrolling online for the first time, you must upload your evidence into your online account. After uploading your evidence, you will not need to submit evidence in the future.
Under 19 year olds
If you are 18 years old or younger, you are not eligible to enrol onto one of our courses. We are funded by the government to run courses for learners who are over the age of 18 years old.
Am I eligible for a concession fee?
Concessions for bands 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a
Are You... |
Evidence you will need to provide when enrolling
|
|
receiving Job Seekers Allowance receiving Employment Support Allowance receiving Income Support Universal Credit receiving State Pension |
or
And
|
| Employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year |
And
|
| Self-employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year |
|
| Friend and Carer Member (FREE place on one daytime Idea Store Learning course per term, when you are accompanying the Home Reader). |
|
Concession for bands ASB
| Are you 19 – 23? | Evidence you will need to provide when enrolling |
| Studying your first full level 2 qualification |
Proof of age: Passport, birth certificate or driving licence And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement |
| Receiving Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or another income related benefit and actively seeking employment |
or
And
|
| Do you live in London, work 40 hours or more hours per week and earn under £20,572.00? |
And
|
| Employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year |
And
|
| Are you 24 or over studying a course up to Level 2? | Evidence you will need to provide when enrolling |
| Receiving Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or another Proof of benefit: income related benefit and actively seeking employment |
or
And
|
| Employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year |
And
|
| Do you live in London, work 40 hours or more hours per week and earn under £20,572.00? |
And
|