NEC events
Upcoming events
Join us for expert-led events designed to support your learning journey.
From subject-specific webinars and guidance on home education to exam preparation workshops, our online events connect you with educational specialists and fellow learners, offering practical insights and support when you need it most.
We’re always planning exciting new events, so please check back soon as this page is updated regularly with our latest offerings.
Throughout the year we’ll also be attending events organised by third parties, perhaps we’ll see you at one of them.
Join us
Coming Soon
- Free CPD webinar for teachers: Transform Your Teaching with Dialogic Enquiry – Thursday 23rd April, 4-4.45pm. Join us as we explore the benefits of moving beyond teacher-led instruction to a more dialogic approach. Find out more & book your place.
- Webinar with the Online Confucius Institute at the Open University – 29th April 2026, 1-2pm. In this webinar we’ll explore the value of linguistics, highlight the benefits – and nuances – of learning a language online, and share clear, practical guidance to support your next steps. Find out more & book your place on this free webinar.
You can watch our full back-catalogue of previous webinars here. Recent webinars include our Virtual Open Day where we explored how onlne learning works and how the National Extension College (NEC) can help you or your child achive education and career goals.
In addition to these public events, which are open to everyone, we also provide a range of opportunities exclusively for students enrolled on our courses to join us and our partners for expert-led events to support their learning.
NEC OUT & ABOUT
We’ll be attending the following upcoming events – maybe we’ll see you there
Association of Art History Annual Conference, April 2026
NEC has worked with the Association for Art History for a number of years, and is delighted to count them amongst the subject-expert associations that we partner with. Our CEO Esther Chesterman popped along to their annual conference in Cambridge on 10th April 2026. The Association of Art History Annual Conference is the annual event for art history in the UK, and took place from 8th-10th April 2026 at the University of Cambridge.
The Classical Association Teaching Awards, April 2026
NEC is pleased to work with The Classical Association as part of a joint commitment to enhance access to knowledge about the ancient world, and we are proud to once again support the Classical Association Teaching Awards in 2026. The awards, presented during the Classical Association’s Annual Conference in April, recognise outstanding teaching and innovative pre-university education initiatives in the Classics. The Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday 11th April and NEC was delighted to continue the part-sponsorship of the award for the Outstanding State Sector Initiative. NEC’s CEO Esther Chesterman attended the ceremony to co-present the award to the winners – the Classics department at Exeter College. Congratulations to them.
Why Innovation is Mostly Accidental, April 2026
Following an invite from former Labour MP Anne Campbell, our CEO Esther Chesterman, will be attending this event at The Bradfield Centre, Cambridge, on 28th April. Entrepreneur and founder of the Cambridge Network, David Cleevely CBE will be explaning how many breakthroughs don’t come from careful planning but from unexpected encounters.
Schools and Academies Show & SEND Conference, May 2026
Our Director of Quality and Assessment, Sarah Turner, will be visiting the SEND Conference being held at Excel, London on 7th May 2026. This CDP-centred event is built around the real challenges facing the SEND community, equipping educators with the insights and strategies needed to deliver truly inclusive learning.
The SEND Conference is part of the Schools & Academies (SAAShow), the UK’s leading education show. Our CEO Esther will be attending the SAAShow on 7th May.
WEA Lifelong Learning Lab – Creating Good Work, June 2026
Lifelong Learning charity WEA has launched a national programme of Lifelong Learning Labs – a year-long initiative to reset the UK’s approach to adult education. Bringing together leading voices, learners and communities to shape new solutions and build a united, evidence-led case for the social, economic, and democratic value of lifelong learning. Running across England and Scotland, the Labs will test ideas and challenge assumptions through roundtables, research, online discussions and lived experience insights.
We are delighted that Esther has been invited to join the roundtable on 2nd June in Brighton to discuss The role of lifelong learning in Creating Good Work.
HEAR FROM US
We will be speaking at the following events
- ISA / ISC Digital Conference 2026, 19th June 2026, University of Roehampton, London – We are delighted to share that our CEO, Esther Chesterman, will be speaking at this year’s Independent Schools Council Digital Conference, joining technology thought leaders and decision makers to explore digital strategy, AI, learning, innovation, technology infrastructure and more. Find out about the event.
Governance
Annual Trustee Away Day
We’ll be holding our annual Trustee Away Day in June.
Every year, NEC’s Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team convene to anticipate shifts in the educational landscape and evolve our strategic position within it. By centering our core values, we ensure our mission remains resilient and future-ready, empowering every student to achieve their goals, their way.
