The National Extension College (NEC) has announced a series of updates to further their mission of providing equal access to education for all. With more than 60 years of experience in distance learning, NEC is leading the way in innovative and inclusive education.
NEC has appointed Vanessa Pittard as its new Chair of Trustees. Pittard brings extensive leadership experience and a track record of working with strategic partners and stakeholders. NEC Chief Executive Esther Chesterman expressed her excitement for Pittard’s leadership and the addition of new members to the Board, stating, “Our Board has also been strengthened with new members bringing fresh expertise to support innovation, and ensuring that we have the knowledge and skills to meet future challenges and opportunities.”
Pittard shared her pride in becoming Chair of Trustees, stating, “NEC has always championed access to education and opportunity for all. These new initiatives will give more learners a chance to achieve their goals and to get the support that they need.”
In addition to welcoming a new Chair of Trustees, NEC has also expanded its learning offerings with the launch of eight Structured GCSE courses. These one-year courses are designed for home-educated students and those looking for more structured support. With subjects including English, Maths, Psychology, and Computer Science, these courses offer full academic and pastoral support, expert-led live teaching, and tailored feedback to provide students with the resources they need to succeed.
NEC Chief Executive Esther Chesterman shared, “At NEC, the future of learning is flexible and inclusive. We’ve expanded our course portfolio in response to students’ needs, to offer greater choice and enhanced pathways to further education or career-focused plans, and to affirm our commitment to ensuring that every student can achieve their goals.”
NEC is also enhancing their online learning platform, learn@nec, to create a fully inclusive digital classroom. This platform will feature improved navigation and features to support students’ diverse learning needs. Helen Davies, NEC’s Online Learning Manager, stated, “From improved navigation to features that support students’ diverse learning needs, the changes to learn@nec will ensure that studying at NEC is even more engaging and accessible. Our goal is to create a digital platform that gives learners more choice and greater flexibility to learn.”
To reflect their commitment to inclusive education, NEC has also launched a redesigned website with improved accessibility and navigation. The new website, developed by Ronins, features information about courses, finance options, and student support, as well as resources for parents, schools, and partners. Founder and CEO at Ronins, Anthony Basker, shared his experience working with NEC, stating, “The team was a joy to work with, and together we’ve built something that really reflects who they are.”
With these updates, NEC continues to pave the way for inclusive education and provides essential resources for students to achieve their goals. For more information about NEC, visit their website at www.nec.ac.uk.
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