The National Extension College (NEC) is celebrating a landmark birthday in 2023 as they mark 60 years since the college was founded by Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington, as a pilot for what he intended to be the nucleus of The Open University (OU).
Chief Executive Esther Chesterman says: “NEC believes that everybody deserves a chance to achieve their learning goals, no matter their circumstances, and we are proud of all of our students’ achievements. We support learners of all ages to help them achieve their goals.
“Looking towards the future, we are excited to see where newly developing technology in areas like adaptive learning and AI will lead NEC. Our goal is to continue to deliver the same high quality learning materials and support for many years to come, and we feel that the expertise gained from 60 years in the sector will be our greatest benefit when tapping into the next generation of online learning.”
To celebrate their 60th birthday, NEC are sponsoring a tree as part of Trees for Streets Cambridge, partnering with local charity Centre 33 for whom staff will be fundraising, and offering a bursary of up to £1,000 to one learner interested in changing career or returning to the workplace. The closing date for applications is 4th August and the recipient will be announced on 16th August at an event NEC is holding at The Stapleford Granary Arts Centre in Cambridge.
Throughout their 60 years, the college has seen hundreds of thousands of students enrol on their courses, all with different goals and reasons for needing to access distance learning. Alumni include comedian Russell Kane and National treasure Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, who both studied with NEC and received the fastest ever A grade from enrolment to completion. Last year, Kane worked with the NEC to deliver the Russell Kane Scholarship which is supporting three students to study towards GCSE and A level qualifications.
NEC works closely with a range of highly respected partners including Prisoners’ Education Trust, awarding bodies, schools, universities, local authorities and subject associations. In particular it maintains a close association with the Open University with whom it is proud to share a history and ethos.
The National Extension College (NEC) is celebrating their 60th birthday this year. Established in 1963, NEC is a not-for-profit distance learning provider with a strong, proud heritage of widening access to education for people of all ages.
To celebrate their milestone birthday, NEC are sponsoring a tree as part of Trees for Streets Cambridge, partnering with local charity Centre 33 for whom staff will be fundraising, and offering a bursary of up to £1,000 to one learner interested in changing career or returning to the workplace. The closing date for applications is 4th August and the recipient will be announced on 16th August at an event NEC is holding at The Stapleford Granary Arts Centre in Cambridge.
Throughout their 60 years, the college has seen hundreds of thousands of students enrol on their courses, all with different goals and reasons for needing to access distance learning. Alumni include comedian Russell Kane and National treasure Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, who both studied with NEC and received the fastest ever A grade from enrolment to completion.
Chief Executive Esther Chesterman commented: “NEC believes that everybody deserves a chance to achieve their learning goals, no matter their circumstances, and we are proud of all of our students’ achievements. We support learners of all ages to help them achieve their goals. Looking towards the future, we are excited to see where newly developing technology in areas like adaptive learning and AI will lead NEC. Our goal is to continue to deliver the same high quality learning materials and support for many years to come.”
NEC works closely with a range of highly respected partners including Prisoners’ Education Trust, awarding bodies, schools, universities, local authorities and subject associations, with a particular focus on maintaining their close association with the Open University.
For more information about NEC, visit www.nec.ac.uk or contact Amanda Davies, NEC Marketing Manager, at marketing@nec.ac.uk or on 01223 400200.
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