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Rachel Whitton 1

Think Further

Read our new Think Further blog, 'Staying industry-ready: why professional FE lecturers must keep their edge' by Rachel Whitton, Curriculum Manager: Professional Studies & Education at Warrington & Vale Royal College and Research Further Scholar.

APPG meeting

APPG inquiry on adult education

The APPG on Further Education and Lifelong Learning has launched an inquiry into adult education.

Despite the many benefits of adult education being well-established – as a powerful tool for economic growth, employability, personal growth, health and wellbeing and social cohesion – it has suffered from decades of underinvestment and underappreciation from successive governments.

As a result, learning opportunities for adults have decreased by millions, and across the country, large swathes of the population are locked out of the skills they need to progress in their careers, build confidence and connect with others.

The APPG will hold five sessions with MPs, learning providers and leading organisations in adult education, as well as inviting written submissions via an online call for evidence.

Health report

From treatment to prevention: how colleges can build a healthier society

At the Association of Colleges, we have taken the government’s mission-led approach seriously by shining a light on the role colleges play in tackling some of the knottiest and longstanding challenges for our country. Our approach is to describe what colleges do already, to better understand how that might be scaled up and how more impact can be achieved with the right engagement with Whitehall and other partners.

We explored this initially through our Mission Accepted report last year – where we shared examples of the work colleges play across all five missions - and now publish this report to dive more deeply into the preventative health ambition.

Our website gives members:

  • Access to member-only content
  • A personalised homepage
  • Content across the site tailored to your interests.

If you do not already have a log-in for the AoC website, you can register here.

95%

AoC members make up almost 95% of the college sector - transforming millions of lives each year.

Upcoming events

EDI Equity Exchange 2025/26

The AoC EDI Equity Exchange is grounded in the belief that true growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. Led by colleges, these meetings will be a space...

Venue: Various

Date: 19 January 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Fee: Free for AoC members

Strategic Careers Network Group - FES Connect 2025/26

The Association of Colleges (AoC) is delighted to be working in partnership with the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) to launch a national network for strategic careers leaders in post-1...

Venue: Online via Zoom

Date: 27 January 2026

Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Fee: Free to attend

AoC Strategic Governance Masterclass Series 2026

The AoC Strategic Governance Masterclass Series offers a unique opportunity for college governors, governance professionals, clerks, and senior leaders to deepen their understanding of strategic oversight and strengthen the impact...

Venue: Online via Zoom

Date: 26 February 2026

Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Fee: From £55 +VAT per session for AoC members

Ascentis Access to HE Coffee Morning

Ascentis is hosting a morning of insight and discussion focused on Access to HE. The event will feature updates from Ascentis, contributions from industry speakers and valuable opportunities for networking...

Venue: Capital City College Westminster centre, London, England

Date: 4 March 2026

Time: 9:30 AM - 1:30 AM

Fee: Free to attend

Route Specific Focus Group (South)- T Level Foundation Year

Join us for our face-to-face Route Specific Focus Groups, where we bring together educators and professionals involved in planning and delivering the T Level Foundation Year. This event provides a...

Venue: La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School, 1-4 Atkins Rd, Clapham Park, London SW12 0AB

Date: 4 March 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

AoC College Higher Education Conference and Exhibition 2026

Registration for this event has now closed. If you would like to attend the conference, please register onsite at the venue. Thursday 5 March, 09:30 - 16:30. The annual AoC...

Venue: De Vere Connaught Rooms, London WC2B 5DA

Date: 5 March 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Fee: Starting from £375 +VAT for AoC Members

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AoC

Association of Colleges is the national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England. We are a not-for-profit membership organisation established in 1996 by colleges, for colleges.

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AoC Sport

AoC Sport is the membership organisation for colleges, leading the development of sport and physical activity in 16+ education. We believe that sport and physical activity are essential components of college life, giving students significant advantages in education, employment and health.

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AoC Jobs

The market leading job board for the college sector. AoC Job’s sole purpose is to help people like you find a career in one of our colleges and support our students to achieve their learning goals.

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AoC Charitable Trust

The AoC Charitable Trust’s primary purpose is to raise funds and oversee their application for the benefit of post-16 education and its vision is to have great colleges transforming lives and communities.