Barefoot Basic Skills Work and Intensive Learning: Two experimental basic skills projects

The report, 'A Fresh Start', was published in 1999. 'A Fresh Start' was based onfindings of the Working Group on Adult Basic Skills chaired by Sir Claus Moser.The Moser report brought home the huge amount of catching up that needs to be doneto improve levels of basic skills nationally. It proposed a clear, comprehensive andradical national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy. It presented someambitious targets for expansion and change in basic skills provision and forimprovements in adult literacy and numeracy levels. The challenges the report posesfor learners, frontline staff, colleges and policy makers remain daunting and essential.'A Fresh Start' covers a comprehensive strategy that ranges from mass mediaawareness campaigns to work place study opportunities, and national, regional andlocal actions. The experimental programmes at Trafford Hall focused on communitylevel action and on intensive residential learning - just small parts of the wider picture.Even so, this experience and the results of the Trafford Hall pilot project supportmany of the issues and recommendations raised in the Moser report.[...]