Guest Blogs

Homeschooler Andrew’s experience of studying IGCSE Chemistry

Last year, we shared Andrew’s experience of how homeschooling was helping him to balance education and family commitments. We caught up with Andrew to…

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 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…

The benefits of offering Classics to your students

The Classical Association is offering five bursaries for state sector teachers to study A level Classical Civilisation flexibly with NEC. Bursary recipients will be…

Is education the answer to social mobility? The contribution of the National Extension College.

All political parties talk loudly about their commitment to social mobility and levelling up, but progress over the last decades has been dire and…

Why study A level Geography?

To celebrate the launch of NEC’s online interactive A level Geography, we spoke to lead tutor Alison Leadbetter about why she loves the subject…

National Poetry Day 2021: a whistle-stop tour through NEC English tutor Colin’s favourite poets and poems

Thursday, 7 October is National Poetry Day. To celebrate, we challenged NEC English tutor Colin to pick a favourite poem…  Phew! This is the…

How is bookkeeping done differently in the digital age?

Whether you are running your own business, wanting to develop skills for a career as a bookkeeper, or wanting to support your family business,…

Working together for our students

In 2016 the National Extension College became Tutors & Exams‘ first learning partner. Since then we have been working together to make booking exams…

Finding the motivation to study

Anna Ellis completed A level Religious Studies with NEC this month and is currently studying with the Open University. She has qualifications in teaching…

Other articles...

A level exam results of NEC students released

You don’t have to go to school to get an A level. Among the 300,000 students (BBC, 2019) taking A levels each year are…

From NEC to Oxford

Ella studied A level English Literature and Classical Civilisation with NEC, obtaining an A* and A grade respectively. She has now been offered a…

Educating Rita – A Sociological Perspective

Image source: Educating Rita (2019). Cambridge Arts Theatre. I went to see the play Educating Rita with colleagues from the NEC. Having not seen…

What is #EarthOvershootDay?

What is #EarthOvershootDay? It is #EarthOvershootDay – the day where we have used up all of the natural resources that our planet can renew…

Why study Latin?

Why study Latin? With around 60% of the English Language having its roots in Latin, you’ll find there are Latin words that you will…

Celebrating 30 years of the Prisoners’ Education Trust

The Prisoners’ Education Trust was started around a kitchen table in 1989 by David Burton, Donald McGovern and Elizabeth Andrew. All were passionate about the power…

Alan Tuckett has reasons to be cheerful for adult education

After a decade of decline and policy neglect, this is suddenly the season of reviews affecting adult learners. Like number 38 buses, you wait…

A home educator’s journey – Part 9: Structuring our week

In part 9 of our ‘home educator’s journey’ series, Anna discusses how the flexibility of home education shapes her approach to a typical week….

Celebrating 50 years of the OU

Above: NEC Chief Executive Dr Ros Morpeth showing support for the Open University  Yesterday evening a distinguished crowd gathered at the House of Lords…

Can you do an A level in a year?

One of our most frequently asked questions, especially at this time of year, is whether you can be ready for an A level within…