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A Head Teacher’s Priorities for 2024

Head teachers in secondary schools are steering through an intricate landscape of advanced planning, critical evaluation, and strategic decision-making. This period is pivotal, marking…

University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education offers tuition fee bursary for NEC A level students

Applications open now  Continuing the relationship that began in 2021, the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) and NEC are once again collaborating to offer…

What is the difference between GCSEs and IGCSEs?

When it comes to navigating education systems as a traditional student, distance learner or parent, there are many terms and qualifications that can cause…

What careers can computing lead to?

Does the idea of a career in computing appeal to you? In this post we will be diving into everything you need to know…

Rapid change and the need to upskill and reskill means more of us are likely to be second-chance learners

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.”…

What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a Nurse?

Have you decided that this year is the year you finally take that leap towards a new career? Are you considering a career in…

Happy Holidays from NEC

A message from our CEO Esther Chesterman: As the year comes to a close, I want to wish all our wonderful students, partners and…

National Extension College: Bringing education to you

For over 60 years, National Extension College (NEC) has worked towards the goal of transforming lives and opening up new educational possibilities for people…

Why is it important to study maths?

In today’s world where technology is so openly available, it’s easy to assume that maths skills aren’t as in high demand and worth continuing…

Why Study an AS Level?

An AS level (Advanced Subsidiary level) acts as a great stepping stone between GCSEs and higher education. Yes, A levels are typically more well…

Other articles...

How to write a poem like a Romantic

How are you celebrating Valentine’s day? Spoiling your loved one with gifts? Flowers? A romantic dinner for two? Or maybe you’re thinking of stretching…

A home-educator’s journey, part 5: Studying GCSE Sociology with NEC (Tutor response)

This post was originally published on February 12th 2019 and updated on March 23rd 2020. This week’s entry of our ‘home-educator’s journey’ series, is…

NEC comment: The scandal of off-rolling students

The National Extension College has supported and continues to support a diverse range of students. Although the majority remain adults who wish to return…

A home-educator’s journey, part 5: Studying GCSE Sociology with NEC

This post was originally published on February 4th 2019 and updated on March 23rd 2020. This is the fifth in the series of ‘A…

NEC comment: AEB devolution

A parliamentary debate on the subject of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) devolution, which is planned for launch later this year, is happening later…

See things from a new perspective and learn your way to better wellbeing

Learning new things has a multitude of benefits. There are the benefits you can see, like helping you to get in to university or…

Does astronomy hold the key to your future?

*This post was updated 9th March 2020 following its original publication 21st January 2019. Across the globe millions paused in awe and excitement to…

Government proposals to bar students achieving less than 3 Ds at A level from receiving student loan – NEC comment:

With all that has been going on lately in Westminster, you would be forgiven if this story had passed you by. However due to…

Najma started something new

“GCSEs are like a passport for any profession” For Najma, that profession was teaching. However, before embarking on her chosen PGCE course, she first…

Don’t give something up, start something new this year!

It’s the beginning of a new year and time to start work on your New Year’s resolution. So, have you decided to stop doing…