NEC News September 2025
From Esther Chesterman, CEO, NEC
September always brings that familiar ‘back to school’ feeling. For some, it’s an exciting fresh start — but for others, returning to a physical school setting can feel overwhelming or simply not the right fit. As a former teacher, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to recognise that there’s no single path through education.
At NEC, we’re committed to offering flexible and supportive alternatives for learners who need a different route. In this newsletter, you’ll hear from our Online Learning Manager about how inclusive course design can make independent learning empowering. You’ll also meet our Pastoral Officer, who shares how we support students’ wellbeing as well as their studies — because thriving as a learner isn’t only about academics.
We’re celebrating the incredible success of Yash, whose journey with NEC shows what’s possible when students are given the right tools and encouragement. And we’ll hear more of young people’s accomplishments in our free webinar next month, as we showcase the exciting and impactful role of creativity in careers.
Wherever you are in your learning journey this autumn, NEC is here to support, encourage and inspire.
What makes online learning adaptable, inclusive and empowering?
At NEC, this question is at the heart of everything we do. Our students come from many different backgrounds and bring a wide variety of goals, starting points and learning needs. Our role is to make sure every one of them has the tools, support and confidence to succeed, in a way that truly works for them.
But how can learning design meet the needs of such a diverse community? The answer, we believe, lies in an approach that is flexible, inclusive and personalised.
Find out more from our Online Learning Manager, Helen Davies.
Supporting online learners — a pastoral perspective
At NEC we know that studying online can be flexible, exciting and rewarding — but that it also requires commitment, determination and self-management.
Which is why we offer our students access to a dedicated Pastoral Officer, who provides wellbeing support to help learners stay motivated, overcome obstacles, and get the most from their course.
We spoke with Karyn Nash, NEC’s Pastoral Officer, to learn more about her role, the services available to NEC students and her top tips for successful online learning.
Celebrating student success — Yash’s journey with NEC
We love hearing from parents and students who have completed their courses with us. Watching students reach their goals, in their own unique way, is one of the most fulfilling parts of our work. So we were thrilled to receive this message from Yash’s family, who kindly gave us permission to share:
“Firstly I wanted to thank you and all the team, tutors at NEC for all the support, guidance, website/material and standard of teaching that we have experienced and received over the years for Yash. It’s been a wonderful journey which started during Covid when we realised that the most important foundation and factor for a child’s education is the teacher. You have assembled an amazing team of teachers and wrapped them in a wonderful software system and an amazing support team.
As such Yash got all 9’s in all of his NEC subjects (as the tutors predicted) this year and ends his GCSE journey with eight grade 9’s, one grade 8 (physics) and one grade 8 this year (Further Maths – which due to a small miss on the boundary is due to be re-marked targeting a grade 9). I can only hope his new school gives the same level of educational support that NEC has given.
Thanks so much and I’m sure we will return for our youngest son (13 years old) in due course!”
If you’d like to tell us about your own NEC experience, we’d be delighted to hear from you — please do get in touch!
The power of creativity — opening the doors to meaningful careers
A reminder that our free webinar The power of creativity — opening the doors to meaningful careers takes place on 30 October 2025, 4pm-5pm.
The event, hosted by NEC and Artswork, will challenge some of the most common preconceptions about creative careers, exploring the ways in which creativity powers innovation across sectors — not just the arts.
Through discussion and real world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving creative landscape, non-linear career pathways, and the importance of transferable skills, as young people navigate employment opportunities. We hope you will join us!
Supporting young minds beyond academics
As an organisation committed to young people’s potential, it is sobering to read the Children’s Commissioner’s recent Annual Briefing which highlights months of lost learning, social development, and wellbeing for young people as a result of mental health issues.
It reports that nearly 320,000 young people were still waiting for mental health services treatment by the end of the 2024 — an increase of almost 50,000 compared with the previous year.
Anxiety, it says, is now the most common issue for a mental health services referral in this sector of the population, with girls particularly affected — yet waiting times mean many young people are without timely support. Read the full report.
