Harringtons Learning Centre

Community education and childcare in Brierfield, Pendle

Harringtons Learning Centre is an education and childcare provider based at Northlight Parade in Brierfield, Lancashire. It has operated since 2016, when the idea for the centre was formed on 1 March and the official launch day was held on 31 August; the first students attended from 3 September of that year. The centre describes itself as an open-access platform working towards a balanced community through better life chances, and its provision spans tutoring, out-of-school care, holiday and food clubs, adult learning and mental health support sessions.

The organisation became Ofsted registered on 2 January 2017 and ran its first holiday club in April 2018. Adult classes began in January 2019 alongside partner organisations including Lancashire Adult Learning and Lancashire BME Network. After the Covid-19 lockdown of March 2020 forced physical closure and a shift to online classes, the centre reopened gradually in September 2020 and moved to a purpose-built facility at the Northlight Estate in January 2021. Face-to-face learning was reintegrated from February 2021.

Academic tutoring from primary to GCSE

The centre's core academic offer covers numeracy and literacy. Numeracy support extends from primary and secondary levels through GCSEs and A-Levels to 11+ preparation. Literacy work includes reading, writing, spelling, phonics and comprehension. Tuition is delivered in small groups organised by key stage and led by teachers.

Weekly classes listed by the centre include Top Up Tuition for Reception to Year 6, held on Sundays from 12pm to 2pm at £5 per hour or £40 per four-week block. Study Squad serves Years 7 to 9 in two-hour sessions at £15 per session, with times available on request, and combines homework club with learning support from qualified teachers. The Revision Room is aimed at Years 10 and 11, with days and times to be confirmed, at £20 per session, covering homework and GCSE revision in English and maths in small teacher-led groups.

Holiday clubs and breakfast provision

Outside school hours, Harringtons runs holiday and food provision clubs. Holiday and food provision began in the summer holidays of July 2021. In January 2022 the Bre-Egg-Fast Club started, giving children a free breakfast and time to make friends in a fun setting. The success of that club led to the Cre-Ate Club in April 2022, where parents could come along to cook and eat with their children. The centre's holiday clubs are aimed at children aged 5 to 16, according to its own description of its services.

Free courses for adults and families

Adult learning is a distinct strand of the centre's activity, aimed at learners aged 19 and over and covering upskilling, training and support. The ESOL & ICT Course for adults 18+ runs on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm and is free, teaching English and the computer skills needed to complete tasks online. A creative art course called 10 Years Together, led by local artist Nazia Sultana, is open to everyone and runs on Mondays from 10am to 12pm over ten weeks from 19 October 2026, free of charge. Artscape offers monthly two-hour evening workshops with a different artist and a new creative skill each month; these are free, though a £5 registration fee may apply.

The centre also offers a free AI Study Planner that asks for a child's year group, subject and learning goals and then matches free worksheets and builds a week-by-week plan. A set of free resources is available alongside it.

Awards and recognition

Harringtons won the Pride of Nelson Award in the Education category, voted by residents of Pendle, in November 2021. It was runner-up in the Saverah Women In Business UK Awards as Professional Services Business of the Year 2023, and won the Pendle Business Awards 2024 as Best Small Business. The centre states that its staff are DBS-checked and that it operates a centre-based model.

Skills beyond the curriculum

The centre frames its work around the development of transferable skills, listing listening, confidence, teamwork, assertiveness, communication, self-expression, discipline and respect as essential components of a healthy and coherent community. Its stated aim is to create better life chances through education, childcare, confidence and community.