The Workers' Educational Association, Britain's largest voluntary sector provider of adult education and which has voluntary members' branches and classes across the county, has been rated highly for its adult courses.
Following an inspection in March, Ofsted described the overall effectiveness of WEA adult learning as good and identifies courses in the subject areas of health, public services and care as outstanding.
The news is especially encouraging to David Dickinson, whose thriving literature courses at Rothbury are popular with adult students.
Mr Dickinson and the Rothbury WEA branch have been studying African literature for the past two terms, but are changing tack in the autumn to explore lesser known classics by authors such as Byron and Wordsworth.
Nigel Todd, WEA North East regional director, said: "The WEA is highly distinctive. Our courses are planned in close co-operation with WEA voluntary members, learners, tutors and partners. The programme is very flexible and is delivered in all manner of locations from village halls to inner city estates, and we especially seek to engage adults who have missed out on educational opportunities in the past."