In November 1996 there were over 1.2 million enrolments on adult education courses maintained, assisted, or contracted out by local education authorities in England.

Trends and Features
• Women accounted for 75 per cent.

• 679,000 (55 per cent) enrolments were for evening courses, or courses taught by distance or open learning.

• 51 per cent of all course enrolments were for physical education, sports and fitness or practical crafts and skills.

• One third of all adult education courses in LEA-maintained institutions were funded through the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC).

• FEFC-funded courses were mainly vocational (office/business and other vocational) or basic education.

• 72 per cent of all enrolments were on non-Schedule 2 courses, ie leisure and recreational courses which do not generally lead to a qualification.