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	Hourly Rates
		Standard Fee	Concession Fee	Under 17k
1b	Adult Tailored Learning Classes	£5.20	£1.85	£1.85
2b	Adult Tailored Learning Classes that require specialist facilities or venue	£5.55	£1.85	£1.85
3b	Adult Tailored Learning Classes that require specialist facilities and significant specialist equipment and materials	£6.20	£1.85	£1.85
4b	Adult Tailored Learning Classes with pre-employability as a focus	£3.65	£1.85	£1.85
ASB.1b	Specifically, funded qualification classes	£5.20	Free	£1.85
ASB.2b	Specifically, funded qualification classes that require specialist facilities	£5.90	Free	£1.85
WSb	Classes run for learners with previous skills and working on solo projects	£8.60	£8.60	£8.60
FCb	Classes run without any public funding delivered at full cost	£11.80	£11.80	£11.80
FL	Specifically, funded family learning (Maths, English and Employability classes)	Free	Free	Free
OS	All classes – overseas learners	£11.80	£11.80	£11.80
PFLW	Tailored learning Preparation for work and life	£15 per course	£15 per course	£15 per course
PFLW	Preparation for work and life Specifically funded qualification courses	£15 per course	Free	£15 per course

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

Courses that lead to a nationally recognised qualification involve final assessment by an external examination board. This final assessment may involve the assessment of 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 and be on one of the benefits shown below 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 and be actively 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 previously uploaded your evidence into your online enrolment account, you do not need to submit evidence anymore.

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.

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 You must complete section 7 and sign concession declaration on your enrolment form
receiving Job Seekers Allowance receiving Employment Support Allowance receiving Income Support Universal Credit receiving State Pension (Please note evidence only needs to be presented once at the point of first face to face enrolment or scanned and uploaded during first online enrolment. Future submissions of evidence will then no longer be required).	Proof of benefit: a recent benefit award letter dated within the last 3 months; or one bank statement dated within the last 3 months that shows receipt of benefit payment, (if the award letter is more than 3 months old or can’t be provided) And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement
Employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year	Proof of income: payslips (covering the last 3 months) or bank statements showing salary And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement.
Self-employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year	Previous year tax return document or SA302 tax calculation form.
Friend and Carer Member (FREE place on one daytime Idea Store Learning course per term, when you are accompanying the Home Reader).	Membership Card

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	Proof of benefit: a recent benefit award letter dated within the last 3 months; or one bank statement dated within the last 3 months that shows receipt of benefit payment, (if the award letter is more than 3 months old or can’t be provided) And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement
Do you live in London, work 40 hours or more hours per week and earn under £20,572.00?	Proof of income: payslips (covering the last 3 months) or bank statements showing salary And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement
Employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year	Proof of income: payslips (covering the last 3 months) or bank statements showing salary And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement

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 income related benefit and actively seeking employment	Proof of benefit: a recent benefit award letter dated within the last 3 months; or one bank statement dated within the last 3 months that shows receipt of benefit payment, (if the award letter is more than 3 months old or can’t be provided) And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement
Employed with a gross income less than £17,000 a year	Proof of income: payslips (covering the last 3 months) or bank statements showing salary. And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement
Do you live in London, work 40 hours or more hours per week and earn under £20,572.00?	Proof of income: payslips (covering the last 3 months) or bank statements showing salary. And Proof of address: (no older than 3 months): utility bill (gas, electricity, council tax bill), rent statement, bank statement