Colin's career with Surrey Adult Learning began in 1994, following an advertisement in the local paper for a short introductory course on teaching. After completing his City and Guilds Teaching Certificate, SAL did not require a general History teacher. As a result, Colin offered his knowledge and passion for Royal History, which was a new subject for Surrey Adult Learning. The courses were immediately popular, and the rest is history, as the saying goes!
Over the years Colin has inspired and fuelled the interest of many learners attending his specialised History courses on Royal History by the delivery of many courses and lectures across six different Centres, including his current and main centre, at Esher, and online. During years of dedicated teaching, he has missed just one lesson.
Colin has worked tirelessly to provide a fresh and interesting programme every year. He includes learners in the planning of future sessions, building new courses around their ideas and interests.
He has a particular interest in British and European Royal History for the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, but he is open to deliver history courses for any period – his current course is 'England's Norman Queens'.
When planning the individual sessions, Colin uses a variety of methods, including family tress, visual stimuli, and local connections to add interest for the learners. Tutor Colin also includes fascinating detail and a wealth of research that brings the characters alive.
Our valued tutor Colin knows how to cultivate interest in History thanks to his passion and commitment to teaching coupled with his teaching style that engages learners. The result is clear, Colin Parrish has a loyal following of learners that return to his history courses with SAL. One learner in particular, came to his very first History course in 1995 and still attends Friday lectures, whilst another learner has attended all of his courses for the last 23years!
After all this time, and over 150 different history courses, Colin is still researching new material and finding new topics to discuss.
When one learner was recently asked if she liked Colin's History course, she responded,
"Like it? I love it!"
Surrey Adult Learning would like to congratulate Colin, we thank him for his inspirational teaching and instilling a passion for learning History to so many learners.
As we approach the Coronation of King Charles III, a new History Lecture exploring British Coronations will be led by tutor Colin Parrish at the Esher Centre on Friday 5th May 2023. Enrol now as spaces are limited!
More from adult learning news
- New arts and crafts curriculum September 2025
- Save the date - Adult learning courses and workshops
- Short Summer Courses
- Courses open for enrolment for adults with learning disabilities
- Surrey Adult Learning congratulates its GCSE achievers
- Molesey Adult Learning Centre – Building Works
- Courses with Family Learning help to create a better family life
- Enrolments for courses starting from 28 April are open!
- Bringing Art to Life
- Local Government Apprentice Award
- SAL Tutor Inspires Learners
- Enrolments for courses starting in 2025 are open!
- English, Maths and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses applications are now open for 2025
- Special Olympics World Games Achievement
- GCSE Results 2023
- Surrey Artists Open Studios 2023
- Autumn Term enrolment now open!
- Family Learning Achievement
- National Safeguarding Adults Week 2023
- SAL arts and crafts learner Laura goes on show at a local fair!
- Surrey Library Colleague joins SAL Apprenticeship programme to gain management skills and boost her career
- New Essential Digital Skills Courses
- Spring Craft Fair at Guildford Tunsgate Quarter
- ESOL courses help guests in Surrey adapt to life here and boost vital skills needed to live and work in the UK
- Supported Learners in Camberley are excited to share their passion for learning
- Suzukis, safaris and Spanish lessons with SAL!
- Textile Artist and SAL tutor attracts local community with Wellbeing Exhibition
- Supported Learners run Christmas Pottery Sale to raise money for charity
- Art tutor Roger Hutchins wins competition and recognition
- Supported Learning Easter Pottery Sale
- Empty Bowls Project 2022
- Learning Italian with Surrey Adult Learning - una richiesta da SAL!
- Learner takes up art class and inspires Woking community group
- Random Acts of Kindness Project by Surrey Adult Learning artists
- SAL learner awarded top grade in GCSE Italian
- Zornitsa's learner story
- October Craft Month
- GCSE results 2022
- Outreach ‘I Can’ Courses Inspiring Learners
- Supported Learning and their Fantastic Achievements
- Supporting Surrey Residents Looking For Jobs
- Ofsted Report 2022
- Expression of care for Ukraine
- Sculpture learners attend the annual Surrey Sculpture Society exhibition
- Henrietta Parker Trust courses support the NHS
- The Passport to Wellbeing Programme - a positive experience
- Surrey Adult Learning gets PPE together for front-line workers
- Supported Learning Pottery Sale for charity at the Guildford Centre
- Social Media for Business course helps to boost the performance of a travel company
- Tutor inspires the community
- Learning pottery at 90 years young
- Completing an EPA during COVID - with a lot of resilience
- Surrey Adult Learning marks VE Day 20 in lockdown
- From learner to teacher support
- Pottery enthusiast turns her amateur hobby into a professional job after attending classes with us
- Our ESOL classes help speakers of other languages grow in confidence for everyday life and work
- Free courses for families from January 2023