Stockton Riverside College

Workshop... because faith is a journey

ABC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Christian Studies

Workshop is a course in Applied Christian Studies. It has been running in major cities in England since 1983. Until now, it has always been held on weekends.

In September 2009, Workshop is being offered by Stockton Riverside College as a Thursday evening class over 1 year (6.00 - 9.30 pm) or over 2 years (either 6.00 - 7.30 or 8.00 - 9.30 pm).

Click here to see the table for the course structure and fees.

Most people who enrol on Workshop are already on a faith journey of their own (which may not be the same as going to church), and are ready to think seriously about what they believe. The course is unusual in being both radically Christian and inclusive, drawing on a variety of traditions from conservative to liberal, from activist to contemplative, from Ignatian to charismatic.

Some Workshop students have higher degrees, others left school with few qualifications.
Some are church leaders, others are "de-churched" ('off church' but not 'off God').
Some are theologically conservative, others are free-thinkers.
Some come purely for their own spiritual development, others go on to further theological study.
The common thread is that they all want to engage seriously with faith issues for themselves.

The course is for adults, and is pitched at level 3 (about A-level). It leads to the Certificate in Applied Christian Studies offered by ABC Awards. This is the first faith-based qualification to be recognized be the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
In practice, there is plenty of content in Workshop as well as opportunity for discussion, but the assessment is quite light - just 3 essays and 2 smaller tasks.

You can find out more about the national Workshop course at www.workshop.org.uk, including views of past students and academics. You can see the full ABC syllabus at www.abcawards.co.uk.

How to enrol?

Come to one of the information sessions in the new SRC Sports Centre, Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, TS23 3HB at 7.00 pm on Thursday 27th August or Thursday 10th September.

Or contact Information & Guidance on (01642) 865566 for an enrolment form.

Or contact the course tutor, Paul Wilson on (01642) 808285 or paul.wilson@stockton.ac.uk.

A native of Teesside, Paul has been in education all his life, mosty at Bede Sixth Form (now part of Stockton Riverside College). He has taught on Workshop in all the national centres, and on Advanced Workshop in Birmingham. He has master's degrees in Mathematics and Theology, and has been involved in church leadership and ministry for over 30 years.

Stockton Riverside College Harvard Avenue Stockton-On-Tees TS17 6FB United Kingdom