FE News

Effective use of PDSAT and Monitoring Reports
2026-02-17 10:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Online
The DfE provide a suite of tools and reports to allow providers to conduct regular assurance and data checks to ensure they meet the funding rules and rectify anomalies in the ILR data
At this seminar, we will look in detail at the new Provider Data Self-Assessment Toolkit (PDSAT) Online Toolkit, Funding Information System (FIS) and key submission reports
The seminar will explain how the Provider Market Oversight Assurance (PMOA) team utilises PDSAT reports, along with how providers should use them in preparing for a PMOA assurance review
The seminar will provide reliable guidance and advice in the planning and usage of the PDSAT, FIS, FRM and submission reports in your ongoing internal assurance reviews
The seminar format encourages delegate participation and aims to ensure that attendees get reliable guidance and advice in the planning and usage of the PDSAT, FIS, FRM and submission reports in your ongoing internal assurance reviews.
As part of the day’s agenda we will:

ensure that your organisation has the knowledge to ensure full understanding of the PDSAT, FIS, FRM and submission reports for the academic year.
improve your understanding of the expectations around the tools and reports available to ensure appropriate control mechanisms are in place to provide assurance on your ILR data.
identify key submission reports and how to use them effectively, including the suite of FRM reports and any recent changes.
Provide guidance on the correction of data errors.

Governance – Effective Board Reporting
2026-02-24 10:00 - 12:30 | Online
Ineffective governance has been one of the most commonly occurring Ofsted criticisms of providers deemed to be ‘Inadequate’ or who ‘Require Improvement’.
At this important workshop we will look at Board reporting and how to ensure its effectiveness, including:

the Solvendis ‘What, When and Why Guide to Board Reporting’ for an apprenticeship provider
the importance of KPIs in the Board reporting process
striking the balance between too much and too little detail
the importance of reporting trends and not merely numbers to the Board
the use of slide decks as a means of sharing key performance updates

For providers looking to establish (or re-establish) a new Board, it is suggested that delegates attend our workshop on ‘Establishing an Effective Board’ before attending this workshop.

Preparing for an Ofsted Inspection (new framework)
2026-02-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
This seminar will have new content which focuses on the revised expectations of Providers arising out of the implementation of Ofsted’s new inspection framework.
New style inspections will commence at the beginning of November, incorporating report cards and a revised grading structure.
The guidance given in the seminar will be inciteful and will reflect both inspector training and early inspection involvement.

Strategic Management and the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework
2026-03-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Understanding performance, risk and accountability following the 2026 updates.

All apprenticeship providers are monitored, measured and held accountable through their performance against the indicators within the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework. These measures play a critical role in how provider performance is viewed by the Department for Education and directly influence accountability, funding confidence and an organisation’s ability to continue to deliver apprenticeships in the future.
For governors, leaders and senior managers, understanding how these indicators are constructed, what data sits behind them, and how they are used is essential. The framework is not simply a compliance tool, it is a core mechanism for assessing organisational health, identifying risk, and supporting effective strategic decision-making and long-term sustainability.
Following the introduction of updated accountability indicators from January 2026, providers now need to revisit how they interpret performance data, monitor minimum thresholds, and use this information to inform governance oversight and strategic planning. While the accountability measures set out the minimum expectations providers must meet, strong organisations will go further, using the framework to understand emerging risks, protect revenue, and improve delivery efficiency.
This two-hour deep-dive session will support participants to develop a confident, practical understanding of the updated Apprenticeship Accountability Framework and how it can be used effectively at both the leadership and governance level.

During the session, we’ll look at:

What the 2026 accountability metrics are and how they are used
How to interpret and contextualise accountability data effectively
Approaches to benchmarking performance using national data
How to forecast risk and monitor improvement at the leadership and board level
How to plan, prioritise and implement proportionate improvement actions

About your session

David Lockhart-Hawkins, SDN’s compliance specialist produced this session.
David has experience of working with hundreds of high performing apprenticeship organisations over the last twenty years, including some of the UK’s largest, highest quality, specialist and new providers.

This session is suitable for Governors, leaders, managers and senior delivery staff involved in apprenticeship provision.

“David’s knowledge and expertise is unparalleled.”
– Event attendee

“I wished I had done it 18m ago when I got involved with apprenticeships.”
– Head of Quality & Improvement/DSL, Central College of Animal Studies

“Very well delivered, clear and very good subject knowledge”
– Team Leader Horticulture Apprentices, Capel Manor College

Booking and payment:

We recommend attending our workshops live, but you can also be sent the recordings and materials if you prefer to review them in your own time.

If you have several staff who would benefit, let us know and we’ll send you details of the most cost-effective way of accessing the session.

If you’re a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority), and unable to book via card, please email us. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)

SDN CPD is designed for Government funded Training Providers. If you’re not a Government funded Training Provider but are still interested in attending please email events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk to discuss your attendance in more detail before booking.

Designing EDI 2.0: a practical guide for today's employers
2026-03-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Online
Keen to in-bed equality, diversity and inclusion in company policies?

Join a free online workshop being hosted by City of Wolverhampton College, on Tuesday, 10 March.

The interactive session is aimed at employers who have limited knowledge of equality, diversity or inclusion, are uncertain how inclusion fits into their business priorities, and want a practical, commercially-focussed approach that will align with their business goals and workforce needs.

The workshop will help employers identify their current level of knowledge, understand what EDI 2.0 means in the business landscape, learn how to embed inclusion in everyday operations and decision making, and build a simple and effective 90-day plan.

Participants will also gain an understanding of what modern, business-aligned inclusion looks like, explore why inclusion continues to matter in a world shaped by AI, automation and skills shortages, and how they can build the capability needed to attract, retain and grow talent.

The session runs from 12pm to 2pm and will be delivered by Sally Spicer, co-founder of Talent Included, an organisation which helps organisations to design and deliver high-performing and equitable workforce solutions.

Book a place on the workshop at www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/events/

Understanding 2025/26 Apprenticeship Funding Rules
2026-03-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The apprenticeship funding rules and requirements are updated annually and impact on the paperwork and processes which providers need to adopt.
At this easy-to-follow seminar, which is suitable for beginners as much as it is for seasoned apprenticeship professionals, we will look the funding rules, regulations and guidance impacting on apprenticeships.
The seminar format encourages delegate participation and aims to ensure that attendees get reliable guidance and advice.
As part of the day’s agenda we will:

Ensure that your organisation has the knowledge to fully comply with the funding rules and requirements for 2025/26.
Improve your understanding of the expectations around initial assessment, programme planning, prior learning, negotiated price expectations, the adjustment of programme content and duration, the evidence pack requirements and apprenticeship audit expectations.
Discuss funding bands, the timing of payments, co-investment, incentives, learning support, care learners and English and maths.

Led by an experienced member of the Solvendis Audit, Data and Compliance team the seminar will be of particular relevance to independent training providers, employer providers, universities and colleges.

VocTech, skills and the future of work
2026-03-16 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Kick off the Week of VocTech 2026 with a behind-the-scenes conversation with the Ufi VocTech Trust Board of Trustees.

In this live online session, Ufi Trustees will share insights gained from working at the cutting edge of technology, investment, education, workforce development and inclusion. Each Trustee brings a deep, real‑world perspective shaped by careers spanning FE leadership, EdTech innovation, commercial strategy, investment management, diversity and inclusion, and global skills policy.

Bringing candid reflections, practical experience and big‑picture thinking, they’ll explore:

What’s really changing in the UK’s skills landscape – and why it matters now

Insights from Ufi’s work and investments – what’s working, where the sector is heading, and what still needs to shift

How vocational technology can catalyse a more inclusive, thriving future for learners, employers and communities

Whether you’re a provider, policymaker, employer, innovator or funder, this session will help you understand the forces reshaping adult learning – and the role you can play in driving meaningful change.

Join us online as we open the Week of VocTech with energy, insight and a fresh look at the future of skills in the UK.

What next for AmplifyFE and ALT?
2026-03-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
AmplifyFE connects 3,500+ professionals in Further Education and Vocational Education. Since 2020, our network links communities of practice for digital learning, teaching and assessment.

Our network enables vocational teaching staff to acquire, develop and share the digital and digital pedagogical skills they need, with the ultimate aim of catalysing change across the UK so that significant scale can be achieved in digital vocational learning for adults.

Come along and find out:

how to engage with the AmplifyFE community

the benefits of CMALT accreditation for professional development

how to get your initiative on the UK map and much more.

This is an online interactive session chaired by Joe Wilson, Trustee of the Association for Learning Technology (ALT), Educational Consultant and former Head of Digital Skills at City of Glasgow College.

To find out more about the work of AmplifyFE, explore their latest impact report at amplifyfe.alt.ac.uk/explore-the-2025-impact-report.

Rethinking work readiness: Using VocTech to assess essential skills
2026-03-16 15:00 - 16:00
Recent CIPD research (December 2024) highlights a persistent skills gap among young people entering employment, with only 28% of employers reporting that newly recruited young people are prepared for the world of work. Communication, collaboration and social interaction are critical to success, yet remain difficult to assess using traditional approaches.

As part of the Week of VocTech, this session will explore how vocational technology can enable more authentic, inclusive and scalable assessment of essential skills.

Hosted by NCFE, the session will draw on current research alongside learning from NCFE and Ufi’s Assessment Innovation Fund (AIF) projects. The AIF supports organisations to test and evaluate innovative approaches to assessment, building an evidence base for system-wide improvement. You can find out more about the pilots here: www.ncfe.org.uk/aif-pilots.

Together, we will explore:

the competencies that underpin workplace readiness across secondary and further education

how VocTech can support more valid, learner-centred assessment models

practical insights on implementation, scalability and impact from live innovation projects

This session is aimed at awarding bodies, EdTech organisations, providers and policy stakeholders seeking to modernise assessment in ways that are fair, robust and aligned to the realities of work.

Practical approaches to skills development in Scotland
2026-03-17 11:30 - 13:30 | North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BN
Scotland stands at a pivotal moment for skills and economic transformation. Rapid technological change, the transition to net zero, and persistent and emerging skills gaps are reshaping the workforce. Recent policy initiatives emphasise the need for a responsive, collaborative skills system that meets the demands of employers, learners, and communities.

Hosted by Ufi VocTech Trust, this event brings together local leaders, educators, employers and policymakers to explore the challenges, opportunities and practical solutions for Scotland’s workforce challenges.

Discussion will be framed around early insights from the ongoing programme delivered by Ufi, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and North East Scotland College, designed to support learners to build confidence, understand their career options, and access meaningful work experiences. The approach includes a modular “Ready to Return” course with digital badges, employer‑codesigned sector videos offering real job insights and virtual work‑experience opportunities. The event will show how regional partnerships and vocational technology are driving real-world impact and creating new pathways into work.

With conversation and hands-on demonstrations, guests will gain valuable insights into the tools, partnerships and practical approaches shaping the future of vocational learning. The event will conclude with a networking lunch prepared and served by students from the College’s catering programme.

If you are involved in improving skills for work – whether as an employer or in a community, local government or educational setting- we invite you to join us in Aberdeen. Be inspired, learn about funding and support from Ufi, and help build a more agile, inclusive, and future-ready skills system for Scotland.

Inclusion - Responding Effectively to Ofsted's Expectations
2026-03-18 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The recent introduction of Ofsted’s revised inspection framework has firmly shone the spotlight of inspection onto Inclusion. Although Inclusion has always been considered in an inspection, it was embedded within other aspects of provision; recruitment, participation, equality, diversity or achievement.
Inclusion isn’t about any one single initiative – inspectors want to see how well training providers develop an inclusive culture, how leadership support inclusive education and how learner needs are identified and responded to.
This session aims to develop a providers understanding of Ofsted’s expectations around inclusion and to build confidence in applying inclusive practices across curriculum, teaching, support and leadership.
As part of this session, we will consider:
The expectations of Ofsted

What they expect to see
What they have reported so far
What makes an exceptional judgement?

Strategies for structure and support

A culture of inclusion
Practice and policy
Mechanisms for review
Measuring and understanding impact

Identifying and recording learner vulnerabilities

What makes a learner vulnerable?
What does your data tell you?
What are your patterns of attendance?

AI and work: where’s the opportunity, where’s the threat?
2026-03-19 16:30 - 17:30 | CodeNode, 10 South Pl, City of London, London, EC2M 7EB, United Kingdom
As part of the Week of VocTech, join the conversation shaping the future of skills in the UK.

AI could shape jobs faster than most skills systems can adapt. This timely “in conversation” session will examine where AI can genuinely raise productivity, job quality and progression, and where it risks deepening inequality, weakening entry-level pathways, and undermining trust in work.

This event brings together senior voices from policy, employment, digital skills and workforce innovation. Together, they will focus on what matters most now: the practical choices facing employers, policymakers and system leaders as AI becomes embedded across the economy.

Expect a frank, solutions‑oriented discussion on what good AI adoption looks like in the workplace; how we protect fair access to opportunity as roles and routes change; and the role vocational technology can play in helping adults and employers adapt at pace.

This session is for those shaping the future of the UK skills system – and who want to ensure AI supports inclusive growth, resilient organisations, and a workforce equipped to thrive.

Featuring:

Anthony Painter (Chair), Director of Strategic Engagement, Ufi VocTech Trust

Antonio Weiss, Author and AI expert

Rt Hon. Lord Willetts FRS, President, Resolution Foundation

Liz Williams MBE, CEO, FutureDotNow

Rebecca Garrod-Waters, Chief Executive, Ufi VocTech Trust

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a discussion how the UK can build on the opportunities that AI presents, creating a skills system that empowers individuals, fuels business success, and accelerates economic growth.

Attendees will have access to the Ufi VocTech Showcase taking place in the same venue from 5:30pm..

EdTech meets employability: Investing in job readiness
2026-03-19 16:30 - 17:30 | CodeNode, 10 South Pl, City of London, London, EC2M 7EB, United Kingdom
Across Europe and the US, skills systems are struggling to keep pace with rapidly shifting labour‑market demands – and young people are feeling the impact acutely. Employers are cutting early‑career roles while simultaneously expecting stronger practical capability, AI fluency and job‑readiness from new entrants. Traditional education pathways are failing to deliver the talent pipeline businesses need, leaving many young people without a clear or confident route into meaningful work.

As part of the Week of VocTech, this event brings together investors, founders and infrastructure operators – who underpin the vocational technology and skills for work ecosystem – to explore where innovation and capital can have the greatest impact.

Drawing on insights from Ufi Ventures’ ongoing market intelligence programme, the discussion will examine why capability signals matter more than ever, how portfolio‑based and project‑based assessment is reshaping hiring, and spotlight the ventures and investable opportunities defining the fast‑evolving learning-to-work market segment. Speakers will be announced in early February.

Attendees will have access to the Ufi VocTech Showcase taking place in the same venue from 5:30pm.

Ufi VocTech Showcase 2026
2026-03-19 17:30 - 21:30 | CodeNode, 10 South Pl, City of London, London, EC2M 7EB, United Kingdom
The Ufi VocTech Showcase returns for 2026 as the flagship event of the Week of VocTech, bringing together innovators, educators, employers and investors for an evening of hands‑on exploration into the future of vocational technology.

Hosted by Ufi VocTech Trust, the Showcase offers a unique opportunity to see cutting-edge vocational technology projects in action. Attendees can get up close with live demonstrations, discover new digital tools transforming skills development, and hear short lightning talks from organisations pushing the boundaries of vocational learning.

This year’s demonstrations span a wide range of challenges and solutions across the sector — from digital skills passports improving access to temporary work, to TikTok‑style microlearning designed for the UK’s deskless workforce, to AI‑powered VR tools helping learners build confidence and essential soft skills.

Held at CodeNode, the purpose‑built tech venue near Liverpool Street, the evening also provides space to network with peers from across FE, EdTech, workforce development, employability and industry.

Effective Self Assessment Report Writing
2026-03-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
This seminar will have new content which focuses on the revised expectations of Providers arising out of the implementation of Ofsted’s new inspection framework.
New style inspections commenced at the beginning of November, incorporating report cards and a revised grading structure.
At this seminar we will consider the implications of the new framework on the format, structure and content of the SAR and the implications for quality improvement planning.

World Math Day
2026-03-24 19:00 - 2026-03-26 19:00 | Online
World Math Day runs for 48 hours, starting on March 25 in Australia and on March 24 in most U.S. locations (due to time differences). It is the world’s largest online math competition, an international celebration of mathematics where 10 million students have answered more than 1 Billion questions. World Math Day is FREE for all and is hosted on the Mathletics platform. All registrants have free access to Mathletics starting on March 12: https://www.3plearning.com/world-Math-day. The 2026 theme, United by Numbers, celebrates the belief that everyone can learn and excel at mathematics when given the right support. Teachers and students need not be Mathletics users to participate.

AUCSO Conference- Excellence Shared – Value Realised
2026-04-13 08:00 - 2026-04-15 17:00
‘Excellence Shared – Value Realised’ has been announced as the theme for the forthcoming Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) Annual Conference 2026, marking the organisation’s 42nd annual conference.

Registration is now open (available to AUCSO member institutions only) for the Conference, which will take place at the prestigious University of Exeter. The event will be hosted by Dan Nicoll, Head of Security (Parking and Transport) Operations, University of Exeter.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training (Fast-track)
2026-04-27 10:00 - 2026-05-12 16:00 | Online
We are pleased to be able to offer an effective response to the need to develop the teaching and training skills of staff working in Post-16 education.
The programme will focus on those aspects of training so essential in ensuring sound learning. Participants will benefit from a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the education and training sector. They will develop their teaching and training skills through a clear understanding of inclusive teaching and learning, and be able to plan, deliver and evaluate learning which meets the needs of all learners.
Participants attend for 4 workshop days, which include a microteach, and assignment completion. Assessment will be via portfolio, assignment and observation.
Dates of attendance are 27 & 28 April and 11 & 12 May 2026 (all days 10.00 – 4.00).
Maximum delegate number 12
Delegate fee £455 plus £62 registration fee (plus vat)

Preparing for an Ofsted Inspection (new framework)
2026-05-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
This seminar will have new content which focuses on the revised expectations of Providers arising out of the implementation of Ofsted’s new inspection framework.
New style inspections commenced at the beginning of November, incorporating report cards and a revised grading structure.
The guidance given in the seminar will be inciteful and reflects both inspector training and involvement in inspections.

Preparing for an Ofsted Inspection
2026-05-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Online

Advanced progress review practice
2026-05-15 09:30 - 2026-05-22 12:00 | Online
For experienced trainers, coaches and leaders who want to deliver exceptional progress reviews using current digital tools and engagement strategies.

Are your progress reviews helping apprentices thrive, or are they just ticking boxes?
Join our advanced masterclass, designed specifically for experienced apprenticeship trainers, coaches, mentors and leaders who want to take progress reviews to the next level.

We’ll take you through step-by-step examples of how to:

Set advanced learning objectives and targets
Adapt your reviews for diverse apprentice needs (high-flyers, struggling learners, neurodiverse)
Lead high-impact discussions and track real progress
Use digital tools and AI to enhance documentation and evidence

You will receive an attendance certificate after the session, as evidence of your personal development.

About your session

The session will be facilitated by Chris Cherry an SDN Mesma Group specialist in apprenticeship on-programme training and assessment.
Chris has supported hundreds of apprenticeship organisations to develop their approach to progress reviews and has lots of insights to share.

This advanced masterclass is for experienced apprenticeship trainers, assessors and skills coaches seeking a more effective approach
During the session one you’ll work on ‘Objective setting and foundations’ and in session two ‘Troubleshooting and impact’

Higher Level Learning in Safeguarding and Prevent (4.0)
2026-05-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Solvendis Higher Level Learning programme in Safeguarding & Prevent will be of interest and of practical use to Designated Safeguarding Leads and to staff who have a particular responsibility for ensuring the safeguarding and well-being of their learners.
Attendance at this high-level workshop will further develop the knowledge and skills of those staff in the FE and Skills sector with significant safeguarding responsibilities. The Solvendis programme will focus on those issues most likely to affect learners in the post-compulsory education sector.
Following participation in this programme, delegates will:

be confident in what effective internal reporting should look like and the importance of the interface with governance
understand, and thus help to overcome, factors which may inhibit the disclosure of abuse
understand the relevance and applicability of key documents to adults in training and skills settings
be confident in conducting risk assessment on those who are not required to hold DBS checks
reflect on themes from case reviews and consider how this learning can inform their organisation’s procedures
consider a range of safeguarding-related learning resources for use with learners, staff and those responsible for governance
understand the importance of the role of DSL in relation to improving adult learner outcomes

The session will invite consideration of a range of safeguarding related responses drawn from the wide inspection and governance experience of the Solvendis team and examples of good practice arising from these responses. As a result, delegates will be confident in constructing a clear action plan to ensure an excellent safeguarding culture in their organisation.

Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
2026-06-02 10:00 - 2026-06-09 16:00 | Online
This Level 3 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical assessing skills helping them to become effective assessors in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom.
We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.
Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete three modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills.
Delivery will be led by an experienced member of the Solvendis Teacher Training Team with all workshops being conducted online via Teams or Zoom.
Workshop Dates and Times: 15 & 22 April 2026 (10.00 – 4.00 online).
Delegate fee £455 (plus vat) plus £78 awarding body registration fee – maximum 12 delegates.

Curriculum Design for the New Apprenticeship Landscape
2026-06-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Changes to how assessment is carried out will have a direct knock-on effect on how you design and deliver your curriculum. This practical workshop will help you map, sequence and refine your programme so it sets apprentices up to succeed – without adding unnecessary workload.

In this two hour workshop, Chris Cherry will take you through:

Building assessment into your curriculum from the outset
Designing learning activities and content that develop the right competencies
Linking sequencing and delivery to on-programme assessment points
Using digital tools to save time and improve planning
Stripping out “filler” and focusing on what works.

You will receive an attendance certificate after the session, as evidence of your personal development.

Workshop breakdown

2 hour workshop (live attendance highly recommended for maximum benefit)
Pre-event resource pack sent one week before, to get everyone on the same page with key concepts
Recording and slides

About your session

The session will be facilitated by Chris Cherry an SDN specialist in apprenticeship on-programme training and end-point assessment. Chris has supported hundreds of apprenticeship organisations to develop their curriculum against the new standards and has lots of insights to share.

Who should attend?

Curriculum leads and planners
Trainers and assessors involved in programme design
Quality managers overseeing curriculum changes.

You can book onto this workshop for £95+vat.

Feedback from previous event attendees

“Breaking down the KSB’s and how the curriculum forms the ILP was a key learning point. Excellent session and also enjoyed the pre-training recording.” – Orange Moon Training

“I’ve been trawling the internet and asked FE colleagues about curriculum design and found nothing useful. This is just the ticket. Very engaging, informative and fun to listen to. I’ve learned more in the first 15 minutes than the previous 15 years.”

“Very informative and helpful”

You can either attend the live session or be sent the recording and materials if you prefer to go through it in your own time but we highly reccommend attending live to get the most out of this interactive session.

Booking and payment:

If you have several staff who would benefit, let us know and we’ll send you details of the most cost-effective way of accessing the session.

If you’re a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority), and unable to book via card, please email us. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)

Any questions, please email us.

SDN CPD is designed for Government funded Training Providers. If you’re not a Government funded Training Provider but are still interested in attending please email events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk to discuss your attendance in more detail before booking.

Fraud Awareness Training (For Staff in Education)
2026-06-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
The Governments’ Counter Fraud Strategy and DfE Provider Financial Handbook require providers to ensure that there is a level of fraud awareness across the organisation. In this engaging workshop, with content written specifically for Post-16 training providers, we will:

Consider the guidance which providers are being required to follow
Discuss the impact on roles right across the organisation
Share examples of wrong-doing/ irregularity which have occurred in our sector and what we can learn from them
Consider some of the practical steps we can take to increase our level of protection
Discuss how we can embed fraud awareness into apprentice/ learner engagement thus strengthening learner personal development

Open Education Conference, OER26
2026-06-22 08:00 - 2026-06-23 17:00 | The Open University, Walton Hall, ,, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
Open education has always been both a practice and a proposition. It is grounded in commitments to access, equity, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge as a public good. Over decades, these commitments have taken institutional form through open educational resources, open practices, open pedagogy, open research, open access publishing, and global networks of collaboration. Openness has shaped learning systems, expanded participation, and redefined what education can be.

OER26 invites delegates to reimagine and re-theorise openness while recognising the enduring ethos that has sustained the movement from its earliest days.

Hosted by the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University (UK), widely recognised as one of the foundational institutions in the modern open education movement, this event offers a distinctive space for reflection and renewal. Established in 1969 with a radical commitment to widening participation and removing barriers to higher education, The Open University has long embodied the principle that education should be open to people, places, methods, and ideas. Its history reminds us that openness represents and constitutes an ongoing, transformative ethical and social commitment. Bringing the conference to this setting underscores both continuity and change: continuity in the enduring values of openness, and change in the technological, political, and institutional environments in which those values are enacted.

OER26 will foster dialogue across disciplines and regions, welcoming diverse interpretations of what openness means and what it might become. Our call for proposals welcomes contributions that explore how the ethos of openness is sustained, challenged, institutionalised, or transformed in the current moment.

Co-Chairs

Dr Rob Farrow and Dr Beck Pitt, from the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University, serve as co‑directors of the Global OER Graduate Network (GO‑GN). Their longstanding commitment to open education research, community building, and global collaboration brings a distinctive perspective to this year’s conference, ensuring a programme that is both inclusive and forward‑looking.

Programme

The OER26 programme is now live. This year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most inspiring gatherings in open education. Taking place 22–23 June 2026 at The Open University in Milton Keynes. This year’s event brings together a global community to explore the programme theme, “Openness Reimagined: Continuity, Change and Shared Vision”.

This year’s programme includes contributions across six thematic clusters:

Openness as a project of social transformation

Reimagining openness: theory, technology, and futures

Openness as justice

Open practices and pedagogical innovation

Openness as care

Open Minds (Wild Card)

Across the two days, participants will find a rich mix of workshops, research papers, practice sessions, panels, lightning talks, and experimental formats, offering multiple ways to learn, share, and connect.

Keynote Speakers

This year’s keynote speakers are two leading voices in open and digital education:

Prof. Eileen Scanlon will examine how openness continues to shape educational innovation and how it can empower learners, educators, and researchers alike.

Prof. Dr. Olaf Zawacki‐Richter will explore OER, sustainability, and the role of AI in open, distance, and digital education

Programme Highlights

Alongside the main sessions, we are also planning a series of activities that celebrate the past, present, and future of openness.

Celebrating 20 years of OpenLearn

Pre and post conference visits to the National Museum of Computing and Bletchley Park – register an interest here

A guided tour of the cutting edge XR Studios

Panels exploring the history and development of OER and openness

A celebration marking 30 years of the Journal of Interactive Media in Education

Research funding workshops to support new and emerging open education projects

Register for OER26

Ready to join us at OER26? Secure your spot today and be part of a vibrant, community-driven event that reimagines openness for the future.

Explore the full programme and register now through the OER26 registration page.

Register

Supporting Employers to Work Confidently with Younger Apprentices
2026-06-25 10:00 - 11:30
Helping providers support employers to create confident, inclusive workplace environments

Effective Apprenticeship Progress Reviews
2026-07-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
The essential requirements for an apprenticeship, at any level, include the need for high quality Progress Reviews. Not only are they a contractual requirement, but Progress Reviews also support the effective measurement of progress through the curriculum.
This event will help providers, especially those responsible for curriculum quality/quality of education to understand what is required and why.
Clear links between the importance of measuring apprentices progress and the
requirements of Ofsted and the DfE are explored and explained, helping you to focus on delivering high quality education.
Key Outcomes Of The Day
At this important workshop delegates will explore and discuss:

What is ‘Progress’?
What is the purpose of a Progress Review?
What does an effective Progress Review look like?
What to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of Progress Reviews
How the the inspection framework and Quality of Education link to effective Progress Reviews
Understanding the link between apprentices starting points and recognising progress.
Using Progress Reviews to support apprentices progress, using effective target setting
