We're delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Natspec Innovation Awards, showcasing innovative and impactful practice in specialist further education colleges. Congratulations to our winning colleges! 🎉 natspec.org.uk/announcing-t...

Preparing to announce the winners of the Natspec Innovation Awards 2026! We'll be announcing them in an online ceremony starting at 1:30pm - all staff and students from member colleges are welcome to join us! natspec.org.uk/events/natsp...

Call for presentations at #TechAbility26 is now open. Showcase your #AssistiveTechnology practice or highlight your impactful research to other #ATech professionals. Complete the presenter call form to be considered bit.ly/ta26presente... Deadline for submission is 24 April.

We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Natspec Innovation Awards! The shortlisted projects showcase an impressive range of inspiring initiative within specialist colleges. Congratulations to all shortlisted! natspec.org.uk/announcing-t...

Have a read of Natspec's response to the government's £200 million SEND teacher training programme. #SEND #SpecialistFE #EducationPolicy natspec.org.uk/natspec-resp...

In our latest Quality Times article, Gareth Ivett from Creating Tomorrow College writes about the college’s innovative, employment-focussed approach that supports students to achieve meaningful and sustainable futures. natspec.org.uk/creating-tom...

Clare Howard's tour continues with a visit to Lighthouse Futures, speaking to learners and learning more about all the employers Lighthouse Futures works with. #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE #CatchClareIfYouCan

Natspec Chief Executive @ClareH_Natspec continues her cross country journey visiting specialist colleges to talk about #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE Despite nearly 500 miles on the road, she's not done yet, so #CatchClareIfYouCan

Professionals from general FE & specialist colleges pledging their support for #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE campaign at today’s AoC SEND Conference. #AoCSEND25 @aoc-info.bsky.social Find out more: www.specialistfe.com

"The staff really understand me here. I feel so supported, and I can be myself, I've learnt a lot." Natspec Chief Executive Clare Howard was delighted to visit KITE College as the first stop on her #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE roadtrip! Where will she be off to next? #CatchClareIfYouCan

Specialist FE has a life-changing impact on young people. We and our colleges see it every day. But don't just take our word for it; hear directly from learners in our campaign video about how #SpecialistFEWorksForMe #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE youtu.be/Zz_vvDDu6a0

Natspec Chief Executive Clare Howard was up early this morning to set off on her cross-country road trip, visiting colleges across the country for #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE week. From Kent to London and Manchester to Birmingham, keep an eye out for her this week, and #CatchClareIfYouCan!

A powerful and important piece - thank you, Ben Bastin, for bringing such clarity to an issue that too often gets overlooked. Find out more about our awareness week starting on Monday at specialistfe.com #ThePowerofSpecialistFE

Specialist Further Education transforms lives 🚀 Last week our Kingston Supported Interns attended the Access for All Carers fair organised by @AfCKingston @TAGYouthClub The interns took part in a reverse careers fair and helped at the event. #ThePowerofSpecialistFE #SpecialistFEWorksForMe

What are you doing during 1-5 December to celebrate #ThePowerofSpecialistFE movement? #SpecialistFEWorksForMe

From 1–5 Dec, we’re celebrating #ThePowerOfSpecialistFE! Recognising how specialist FE helps young people to gain independence, skills & confidence for life and work. Get involved in the campaign: specialistfe.com Share your story 📢: specialistfe.com/for-learners/ #SpecialistFEWorks #SEND #FE

📚 The education select committee has issued its wide-ranging report of over 40 recommendations, including: 💰 an FE pay review body 💰 devolution of 16-19 education to strategic authorities 💰 reinstatement of funding for some level 7 apprenticeships 💰 modular T Levels feweek.co.uk/fe-engine-ru...

The Education Committee's latest report is a significant moment for the specialist FE sector. We're delighted to see a report that embeds the needs of SEND learners in its thinking on FE policy and importantly, recognises the vital role of specialist colleges. natspec.org.uk/natspec-resp...

The experiences shared by students at Homefield College demonstrate how vital post-16 transport is for learners with SEND. When transport is withdrawn, skills, confidence, and independence can be lost. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CAA...

NEW POST: In the last of our articles highlighting winners of the @natspec.bsky.social Innovation Awards, we hear how integrating therapies and education is driving inclusion for disabled students at @condovercollege.bsky.social in Shropshire: www.specialneedsjungle.com/i...

NEW POST: In the second of our series of innovative post-16 providers who've won @natspec.bsky.social innovation awards, we look at DISC Manchester, the college collaborating with tech firms to train young people with #SEND to succeed in digital and creative careers www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...

NEW POST: Let Me In: How students with disabilities at @treloars.bsky.social College are offering accessibility expertise to transform communities. This is the first of three articles, featuring winners of the @natspec.bsky.social Innovation awards www.specialneedsjungle.com/d...

In today's Rethinking SEND article, David Holloway from Association of Colleges looks at what might happen if EHCPs were replaced, and whether it could, possibly, create a better system. natspec.org.uk/rethinking-s...

🏆 Creating Tomorrow College, a Northamptonshire specialist college, has received an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted grade in its first ever full inspection feweek.co.uk/creating-tom...

How do you build a robust, personalised curriculum? For our latest Quality Times article, Lisa Holland writes about how Pure College has developed their curriculum to prepare students for the world of work. natspec.org.uk/our-journey-...

Come and work with a motivated and highly valuable team, making a difference in Specialist FE (and beyond).

We're recruiting! We are seeking an experienced, dynamic policy officer, with a strong track record in lobbying, providing policy advice, analysing government policy and preparing consultation responses to join our policy team. Apply by 4 August: natspec.org.uk/senior-polic...

On SNJ Today: How a £9 return on every £1 invested, shows that boosting Supported Internships is a moral and valuable imperative in helping disabled young people into work. www.specialneedsjungle.com/9...

4,000 schools in 32 LAs will trial assistive tech “lending libraries” for children with SEND . in a new pilot, funded by up to £1.7m. It will enable schools to borrow and trial a range of devices to suit their pupils’ needs. www.gov.uk/government/news/t...

Hear directly from the winners of our 2025 Natspec Innovation Awards about what made their practice innovative, and about the impact it's having on students: youtu.be/VbUafBQy7X0

We're looking for a Senior Quality Manager to oversee our quality support services. This is a vital post that will be part of our senior leadership team, shaping the way Natspec supports members and the wider sector. Apply by 6pm Weds 25 June: natspec.org.uk/senior-quali...

Help learners fulfil their potential in employment by enhancing their independence skills. Free webinar Tuesday 24 June www.techability.org.uk/webinars/ Register now to hear how The Oaks Specialist College are working with @Assitiv to transform real life work experience.

We're looking for a Senior Quality Manager to oversee our quality support services. This is a vital post that will be part of our senior leadership team, shaping the way Natspec supports members and the wider sector. Apply by 6pm Weds 25 June: natspec.org.uk/senior-quali...

Drum roll please...the winner of our @natspec.bsky.social champagne competition is Kate Vincent from ROC College. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who entered and signed up for a free accessibility website test. Our experts will be in contact shortly with your results. #NatspecNC25 #A11y

This morning at #NatspecNC25 we're hearing from Dame Christine Lenehan, Shelagh Legrave and Denise Olander, looking at changes and developments in the further education sector for SEND.

Ensuring sites and resources are accessible for all students is essential. If you're at the @natspec.bsky.social Conference, come to table 14 to see how we can enhance the inclusivity of your online space. Learn more about the challenges in #education: zurl.co/cwTss #education#NatspecNC25

Thrilled to be at @natspec.bsky.social annual conference in beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. We'll be hearing from minister Jacqui Smith a little later, along with FE Commissioner Shelagh Legrave and @ofstednews.bsky.social's Denise Olander #NatspecNC25

Here's a selection of photos from this morning at Natspec National Conference; an inspiring keynote session, busy exhibition and some fabulous informative breakout sessions.

Our first keynote speaker is Professor Kevin Fong, talking to us about his incredibly varied career (from NASA to medicine) and how all that experience has led him to become a problem solver, tackling very complex systems.

We're all set up and ready for Natspec National Conference in gloriously sunny Stratford-upon-Avon - looks to be a lovely day.

Are your educational opportunities age appropriate? We know this is a question often asked by practitioners working with learners with a complex need or PMLD label. Our training includes case studies and a framework of good practice developed with practitioners. natspec.org.uk/events/age-a...

In 2 weeks time, we will be at the @natspec.bsky.social National Conference. If you're attending, visit our stall, where we will be raising awareness of digital barriers in education. Find out more about our inclusive services: zurl.co/o8AjF #Education #A11y #Accessibility

Natspec chief executive Clare Howard is speaking in front of the Education Select Committee today as part of their inquiry into Further Education and Skills. Watch now: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

Not long until Natspec National Conference 2025! But there is still time to join us for our packed two day event looking at anything and everything about SEND learners in further education. Don't miss out! More details and booking: natspec.org.uk/events/natsp...

We're recruiting! We're looking for a senior quality manager to have oversight of all our quality support services, developing and expanding the support they provide to the FE and skills sector. See more details and get in touch if this could be you: natspec.org.uk/senior-quali...

Free webinar: Technology – where is the learning? Tuesday 20 May. 12:30 The important question about technology for teaching staff is, "Where is the learning?" What are the questions that you need to ask before introducing a technology to learners? www.techability.org.uk/webinars/

The national digital experience insights survey is now live, open to all FE teaching and professional staff in the UK! Let us do the digital audit work for you and your team, it only takes 10 minutes to complete. #AmplifyFE #Edusky

We're delighted to announce the winners of 2025's Natspec Innovation Awards. The seven colleges are a true showcase of the innovative, exciting practice happening in specialist FE colleges across the country. natspec.org.uk/announcing-t...

We're delighted that the #NatspecInnovationAwards are underway! This is such a lovely opportunity to celebrate our seven award winners, as well as the 18 shortlisted colleges, and their innovative, exciting practice. Stay tuned for who the winners are!

We're looking forward to announcing the winners of the #NatspecInnovationAwards later today! Join us from 1:30pm to celebrate the innovative practice that lies at the heart of the specialist FE sector! natspec.org.uk/events/natsp...