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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

We've kicked off #NatspecConference26 with a bang, with our student art exhibition last night and a student speech and student performance this morning, with lots more to come!

Natspec registration, with a pillar stating 'Welcome to Natspec National Conference' along with Natspec branded registration desks and banners

A large crowd of people, seated round multiple round tables, in a large conference suite.

Harry Sparkes, a student in t-shirt and trousers, gives a speech on the Natspec stage, consulting his notecards.

Student dancer Elly, dressed in black, dances emotionally on the Natspec stage.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

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...

natspec.org.uk

Announcing the winners of the Natspec Innovation Awards 2026 - Natspec

We're delighted to announce the seven winning colleges and their projects!

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

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...

A screenshot of a PPT slide saying 'Natspec Innovation Awards 2026: Recognising and celebrating innovative practice within the specialist further education sector'

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Reposted by Natspec

TechAbility @techability.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

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.

Three people in a semi circle facing each other. They are smiling.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

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...

natspec.org.uk

Announcing the shortlist for the 2026 Natspec Innovation Awards - Natspec

Celebrating innovative, inspiring practice in specialist FE.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

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...

natspec.org.uk

Creating Tomorrow College: reimagining special education through employment focussed innovation - Natspec

Gareth Ivett discusses Creating Tomorrow College’s innovative, employment-focussed approach that supports students to achieve meaningful and sustainable futures.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

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

A wall of framed logos of various employers logos

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

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

Clare Howard at Rotherham Opportunities College

Clare Howard with students and staff at Landmarks Specialist College. One of the students is holding a pledge board saying Specialist FE works for me

Clare at Creating Tomorrow College with a group of students, one of whom holds a pledge board saying "specialist FE works for me"

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

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

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

"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

Clare Howard stands next to Principal Sarah Miller and students at KITE College. One of the students is holding a pledge board stating "I'm supporting the power of specialist FE"

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

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

youtu.be

Celebrating the Power of Specialist FE

YouTube video by Natspec

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

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 pledge board sitting in the driver's seat of a car. The board reads "I'm supporting The Power of Specialist FE"

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

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

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Orchard Hill College Academy Trust @ohcandat.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

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

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

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

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

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

specialistfe.com

Supporting the Power of Specialist Further Education

A national awareness week celebrating the transformative impact of specialist further education across England.

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FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

📚 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...

feweek.co.uk

FE ‘engine’ running on fumes as MPs call for funding and pay reforms

Education committee makes 40+ wide-ranging recommendations concluding its future of FE inquiry

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Natspec response to the Education Committee report: FE and Skills - Natspec

Committee report cements the place of specialist colleges in FE policy

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

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...

youtube.com

Leicester City Council to end post-16 school transport for SEND students

YouTube video by Channel 4 News

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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

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...

image shows staff and students at Condover College celebrating their win

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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

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...

Image shows:The images from inside the post of interns coaching other interns, set inside a laptop and iMac picture frames. Alt text for intern images in post. Logos for the companies involved also shown against a faded background of blue-coloured circuit boards

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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

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...

image shows the Let me In students and lecturers with their award and post title

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Rethinking SEND: What if EHCPs were replaced by something better? - Natspec

David Holloway looks at what might happen if EHCPs were replaced, and what that could look like in colleges.

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FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

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

feweek.co.uk

Creating Tomorrow College rated ‘outstanding’ today

Ofsted praises ‘dedicated’ leaders at SEND college for creating calm and professional learning environment in first full inspection

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

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-...

natspec.org.uk

Our journey to building a robust, personalised curriculum - Natspec

Lisa Holland writes about how Pure College have developed a curriculum which is championed by local employers and external professionals.

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Fil @filmci.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

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

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Senior Policy Officer - Natspec - Natspec

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 pol...

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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

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...

Image shows three young disabled people in different work scenarios

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Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

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...

gov.uk

Thousands of children with SEND to benefit from assistive tech

Government launches innovative pilot with up to £1.7m available to help children with SEND achieve and thrive at their local school.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

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

youtu.be

Celebrating the winners of the 2025 Natspec Innovation Awards

YouTube video by Natspec

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Senior Quality Manager - Natspec - Natspec

We're looking for an experienced senior leader to lead our quality improvement services.

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TechAbility @techability.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

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.

techability.org.uk

Webinars - TechAbility

Techability Webinars Access all recordings on the TechAbility YouTube channel Featured Webinars

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

natspec.org.uk

Senior Quality Manager - Natspec - Natspec

We're looking for an experienced senior leader to lead our quality improvement services.

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Reposted by Natspec

HeX Productions @hex-productions.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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

Thank you to everyone who entered our competition to win a bottle of champagne and for signing up for a free site accessibility test. HeX experts will be in touch shortly with your A11y health check results.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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.

Denise Olander speaking on the Natspec stage

Dame Christine Lenehan speaks from the Natspec stage

Shelagh Legrave speaks from the Natspec stage

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Reposted by Natspec

HeX Productions @hex-productions.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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 #NatspecNC25

A female student is sitting in a school’s library wearing headphones and using a laptop to complete course work. Text reads “Digital barriers in education: 1. Hardware and software being incompatible with assistive technologies, 2. A lack of accessibility features on websites, e-learning portals, and online documents, 3. Learning resources not being written, presented and structured for all students to access and understand. Shutting students out from having an inclusive learning experience”

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Shane Chowen @ukshane.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

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.

Clare Howard speaks from the Natspec stage

A group of people in the audience sitting around tables applaud

An exhibitor shows an attendee something on a phone

A breakout session leader gestures, glasses off, at the audience

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

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.

Professor Kevin Fong speaking from behind a lectern on the conference stage.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

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

A Natspec banner in the lobby of a hotel while a queue forms

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Age appropriateness in post-16 SEND provision - Natspec

A new training exploring the concept of ‘age appropriacy’ in the context of providing educational opportunities to learners with a complex need or PMLD label.

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HeX Productions @hex-productions.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

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

A female college student is sitting at a desk smiling whilst using an accessible website on both a laptop and mobile device. To the side, text reads “How HeX transforms the learning experience: Accessible design & web development, Website usability audit testing, Inclusive training for teachers, support staff and in-house developers, Empathy lab experiences, and Accessibility consultancy. Between 17-18 June visit us at The Natspec National Conference”

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

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/...

parliamentlive.tv

Parliamentlive.tv

Education Committee

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Natspec National Conference 2025 - Natspec

Join us at the Natspec National Conference 2025!

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Senior Quality Manager - Natspec - Natspec

We're looking for an experienced senior leader to lead our quality improvement services.

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Reposted by Natspec

TechAbility @techability.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

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/

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Jisc @jisc.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

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

digitalinsights.jisc.ac.uk

2025 FE Teaching and Professional Services Staff National Surveys

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

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...

natspec.org.uk

Announcing the winners of the 2025 Natspec Innovation Awards! - Natspec

Our seven winners have made a real difference to students with learning difficulties and / or disabilities.

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Natspec @natspec.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

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!

A screenshot of the Natspec Awards 2025 online ceremony, featuring our chief executive Clare Howard kicking us off.

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