Traditional providers alone can’t solve inequality “The next government must fully embrace ‘second-chance’ education in the drive to reverse the decline in social mobility.” Writing in FE Week Esther Chesterman, CEO of the National Extension College explains that traditional providers don’t hold all the solutions to our failing social mobility and that distance learning providers […]
Amanda Davies
Exploring School Attendance Challenges: A Podcast Discussion
In this episode of our podcast series, we discuss the critical issue of school attendance, led by our hosts Esther Chesterman, CEO of the National Extension College, and Samreen Shah, an educational consultant and Assistant Head in SCMH schools. They engage in an enlightening conversation, shedding light on various aspects of the growing concern of […]
Demystifying the Exam Booking Process with NEC: Everything You Need to Know
Explore the essentials of booking exams with our latest ‘long-read’ blog, complementing our well-received webinar on the topic. We also address some thought-provoking questions from the session, providing valuable insights to assist you in your exam preparation journey. If you are keen to learn more, the webinar is available to watch here. Studying with NEC […]
Mia’s NEC experience and her pursuit of knowledge
There are a number of reasons why students decide that distance learning is a suitable form of education for them and their needs. In Mia’s case, she decided to take on GCSEs early and as a result, found a passion for creative writing. Mia shares: “My parents researched online and thought the NEC would be […]
Andrew’s experience: How homeschooling helps balance education and family commitments
Arguably, one of the biggest benefits to online and distance learning is the freedom it allows students to study at a time and place that best suits their needs. For eighteen year old Andrew who lives in East Asia, this benefit was a huge help when balancing his education alongside family commitments. “I have quite […]
Embracing Distance Learning: A Path to Inclusive Education and Lifelong Learning
In the realm of education policy, recent discussions have circled around the merits of reshaping our approach to learning, making it more inclusive and adaptable to the diverse needs of individuals. The evolving landscape of education demands a shift from traditional models to innovative strategies that cater to the ever-changing dynamics of our society. A […]
National Extension College: Sixty years of second chance learning – FE Week
“There is no doubt that its (National Extension College) original remit – to offer second chances to learners in our educationally divided country – is as relevant as ever. And any lifelong learning policy worth having must surely find an effective way of supporting institutions and provision dedicated to those ends.” The National Extension College […]
National Extension College celebrates its 60th birthday
The National Extension College (NEC), is marking a special birthday in 2023 as we celebrate 60 years since the college was founded by Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington. Throughout August, we’ll be posting some blogs to celebrate our 60 years. NEC at 60 Established in August 1963 as a not-for-profit distance learning provider, NEC […]
Resits or retakes – what is the difference?
Examinations play a crucial role in our educational journey, and sometimes we don’t achieve the results we had hoped for. However, it’s important to remember that a setback is not the end of the road. If you find yourself in such a situation, you might come across terms like ‘resits’ and ‘retakes.’ In this blog […]
Why study Classics as a teacher?
The Classical Association is offering five bursaries for state sector teachers to study A level Classical Civilisation flexibly with NEC. Bursary recipients will be able to begin studying in September 2023 and to complete their Classical Civilisation A level either in June 2024 or June 2025. Gráinne Cassidy, Education Co-ordinator at The Classical Association and […]