Hi Alison,

We charge for our adult learning 'open' programme - which includes traditional 'leisure' classes like pottery and knitting but also has academic subjects (Nat 5 maths and higher English for example) These classes are delivered by sessional tutors and are run based on both demand from learners but are also limited by being able to find tutors  - you can see a brochure for the classes here: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/284/adult_and_community_classes/67/adult_education_courses

We also deliver free courses under our community based adult learning banner. There is some overlap in these programmes, but in general to be a free CBAL course it has to be more employability focused, or be responding to a specific need - such  as a health and wellbeing programme in an area with low health outcomes according to the SIMD data.

Part of the reason to go online with both bookings and payments is to rationalise fees and be able to explain clearly on each programme why it costs the amount it does compared to other classes - we do explain the costs in print form  but it only appears once in the printed brochure due to space - online we could have it appear for every programme.