Digital Insight Hub Mentoring
Mentoring is a core element of the Digital Insight Hubs programme, offering targeted one‑to‑one support to help colleges progress on their digital transformation journey. Through this strand of the programme, nine colleges will receive personalised guidance from experienced Hub mentors, with two dedicated online meetings between March and June 2026 to explore institutional challenges, share effective practice, and identify practical early actions that can drive meaningful change. This structured peer‑support model ensures colleges have a trusted space to ask questions, reflect openly, and build confidence as they develop their digital capabilities.
Below is an overview of each college offering mentoring, along with biographies of the individuals offering their mentoring services. People applying to be mentored will be allowed to state a preference of mentor that aligns with the expertise they want to develop.
Apply for mentoring Find out more about the Digital Insight Hub programme
Basingstoke College of Technology
Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) is a further education college dedicated to their mission of 'Building Careers of Tomorrow'. Their digital agenda is a human-centric component of their core Teaching, Learning, and Digital Strategy, anchored in a philosophy of digital wellbeing and C.O.R.E. skills (Compassion, Originality, Responsibility, and Empathy).
Their journey has seen them transition from an early EdTech pioneer in 2015 to a national leader in digital adoption. From 2020 to 2022, they served as a DfE EdTech Demonstrator, where they provided bespoke peer-to-peer support and training to over 116 schools and colleges across the country. Today, they continue this leadership through ethical AI integration, utilising a rigorous 'three-tick' vetting process to ensure all technology adoption is evidence-based and purpose-led. This systematic approach has allowed us to implement powerful platforms while developing bespoke tools like 'Fixter', an AI assessment partner. Our commitment to innovation is validated by numerous accolades, including being named Edufuturist College of the Year in 2019 and 2024, and maintaining Google Reference College status.
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group is a large and regionally influential FE provider, delivering education, skills, and professional training across diverse curriculum areas. The college has undergone significant digital transformation over recent years, moving from varied levels of digital confidence and inconsistent practice to a fully embedded, whole college model of digital development. Through the I>innovate programme, now recognised as a sector-leading framework, digital capability has risen across almost every area of the organisation, supported by structured pathways, mandatory training, and clear governance. Engagement levels far exceed typical FE sector patterns.
The college’s digital strategy has positioned it as an early adopter of AI, pedagogy-aligned innovation, and data-informed workforce development. Its work is referenced by other colleges as an example of effective strategic design, and participation in the AoC Digital Insights Hub provides external validation of its progress and maturity. With a strong digital culture now embedded, the college continues to lead regionally, contributing to cross-college innovation, supporting partner providers, and advancing digital excellence across the FE sector.
South Staffordshire College
South Staffordshire College is a multi‑campus further education provider serving Staffordshire, training around 10,000 learners annually. Over the past five years, they have taken a practical, whole‑college approach to digital transformation, embedding digital thinking across teaching, services and internal processes. This includes AI‑supported workflows, the use of virtual and augmented reality in learning, and digital innovation linked to sustainability through their Net Zero Energy Training Centre. Their focus is on achievable, FE‑relevant change that improves efficiency, supports staff and enhances learner engagement. Through the AoC Digital Hub, they are keen to share their experience, lessons learned and practical approaches with other colleges at different stages of their digital journey.
Find out about more about the mentors from the Digital Insight Hubs below
Holly Hunt is a dedicated EdTech leader with a decade of experience driving digital innovation at her college. Her unique career path began as a student Volunteer Digital Leader during a creative media apprenticeship, giving her a profound, "roots-up" understanding of the learner experience. Now, as the Learning Technologist Team Leader, she works strategically with the Head of and Director of Teaching, Learning, Digital and Quality to embed digital excellence across the curriculum. Beyond her internal role, Holly provides strategic coaching to external schools and colleges, with a particular passion for helping new educational providers build their digital infrastructure from the ground up.
Expertise and specialisms:
- Institutional digital transformation: 10 years of experience driving digital adoption and culture change within the college.
- AI and advanced edTech: Specialist support for Google Workspace (inc Gemini & NotebookLM), Wayground, Canva and Adobe.
- Creative instructional design: Leveraging a Graphic Design background to enhance digital content (Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva) and worked to design internal systems for student progression monitoring.
- Digital wellbeing and reputation: Coaching for staff and students on maintaining a professional and healthy digital presence.
- Strategic coaching: Supporting external schools and educational providers in establishing digital foundations and "start-up" infrastructure.
- Accessible learning: Implementation of tools like Read & Write, Wayground & built in system tools to support diverse learner needs.
I lead the Teaching, Learning, and Digital team at BCoT, where I oversee our innovative digital support, Education and Training courses, and our expert Learning Coaches. With a background in teaching Media and 10 years specialising in EdTech, my work focuses on creating impactful, future-ready learning experiences through empathy and deliberate technology use for all subjects.
My ‘Why’ is to empower educators with confidence, capability, and connection through empathy, technology, and coaching, so that they can create more engaging experiences for their students. I have delivered AI training to over 4,200 professionals across the UK and Estonia and serve on the DfE’s EdTech Evidence Board. Under my leadership, our team has secured national recognition, including the 2018 TES FE Award and the 2024 Google Impact Award. I am committed to supporting peers in navigating the complexities of digital adoption, ensuring that technology serves to enhance the human element of education rather than replace it.
Expertise and specialisms:
- Teacher workload reduction: Utilising EdTech to streamline administrative tasks, saving educators an average of five hours per week.
- Generative AI integration: Training over 5,000 educators in prompt engineering and ethical AI implementation.
- Coaching and staff development: Leading a team of expert Learning Coaches to upskill staff through empathetic, observation-based feedback.
- Digital strategy: Developing institution-wide frameworks that align technology with pedagogy and industry needs.
- Authentic assessment: Moving beyond traditional methods to incorporate podcasting, video creation, and project-based learning.
Rob Lea leads the college’s strategic and operational approach to digital teaching, learning, and AI adoption. He oversees the I>innovate programme, which has driven whole workforce digital development, raising capability across curriculum and professional services and positioning the college ahead of typical sector practice. Rob has developed structured digital pathways, mandatory AI training, and governance models that are now referenced externally as examples of effective strategic design. His work extends beyond the college, supporting other FE providers and community partners to embed emerging technologies into practice. With expertise spanning digital pedagogy, staff development, AI integration and organisational change, Rob plays a central role in shaping the college’s sector recognised digital maturity.
Expertise and specialisms:
- Whole college digital strategy and capability development
- AI in education implementation and staff training
- I>innovate programme design, delivery and governance
- Cross college digital culture building and upskilling
- External collaboration and sector-facing digital leadership.
Sarah is a Digital Lead responsible for supporting staff in developing their digital confidence and embedding effective digital practice across curriculum areas. A key part of her role includes managing and maintaining the college’s core educational digital systems and virtual learning environments, ensuring they are reliable, accessible, and used to their full potential. Sarah provides guidance, training, and hands‑on support that helps educators make meaningful use of digital tools, platforms, and AI‑enhanced approaches. She plays an active role in delivering I>innovate pathways and contributes to strengthening consistent digital practice across the organisation. Her work enables departments to adopt technology in ways that improve teaching, learning, and student experience, supporting the college’s continued position as a sector‑leading digital institution.
Expertise and specialisms:
- Digital pedagogy and coaching
- Managing core educational digital systems and VLEs
- Supporting staff adoption of digital tools and platforms
- I>innovate programme delivery and digital CPD
- Embedding digital innovation across curriculum areas.
Dan is a Digital Lead specialising in enhancing digital practice across curriculum areas through tailored coaching, hands‑on modelling, and targeted CPD. With strong expertise in audio, video, and image production, Dan supports educators in creating high‑quality digital learning materials that enrich teaching, assessment, and learner engagement. He plays an active role in helping staff adopt AI and emerging education technologies, ensuring implementation is purposeful, accessible, and aligned with curriculum intent. As a licensed drone pilot, Dan brings innovative approaches to digital media, providing opportunities for departments to utilise aerial imaging, creative content, and industry‑aligned digital skills. His work strengthens the college’s digital capability and contributes to the continued advancement of high‑impact digital practice across the organisation.
Expertise and specialisms:
- Curriculum focused digital enhancement
- Staff coaching and digital CPD
- Supporting adoption of AI and education technologies
- Designing and modelling effective digital practice
- Audio/Video/Image specialist
- Drone pilot’s license.
Wes is a Digital Lead known for his extensive digital knowledge, supportive approach, and ability to build staff confidence in emerging technologies. As the lead for the Castleford Digital Pod, Wes provides hands‑on coaching to educators adopting new digital tools and supports departments in embedding technology‑enhanced practice across teaching and assessment. His expertise includes creating and applying VR and immersive learning experiences, as well as utilising drone technology to broaden curriculum delivery and innovative digital pedagogy. Wes plays a key role in I>innovate, guiding staff through award pathways, running targeted skill‑building sessions, and driving digital culture across the college. His work has a direct and widely acknowledged impact on staff digital confidence, learner engagement, and the overall maturity of the college’s digital ecosystem.
Expertise and specialisms:
- Running the Castleford Digital Pod
- Department‑wide support for digital tools and innovation
- Coaching staff new to digital platforms
- Supporting I>innovate pathways and targeted digital training
- Creating and using VR and Immersive Technologies
- Utilising Drone technology.
Alison Fawdrey is a digital learning innovator, specialising in the practical and inclusive adoption of emerging technologies across further education. An early adopter of AI, AR, and VR, Alison has led large‑scale classroom implementation, staff CPD, and learner‑focused innovation—ensuring digital tools move beyond pilots into everyday practice. As a Microsoft Innovator Expert (2025) and Canva Canvasador (2025/26), she shares scalable, ethical, and accessible approaches to digital transformation with colleagues across the FE sector, supporting staff confidence, learner inclusion, and sustainable change
Expertise and specialisms:
- AI in further education – ethical use, policy development, staff CPD, learner guidance, and practical classroom workflows
- Inclusive digital practice – SEND‑focused AR and VR learning design, accessibility, and confidence‑building for high‑needs learners
- Immersive technologies – large‑scale VR classroom delivery, AR learning resources, and published lesson patterns
- Digital change and adoption – moving from pilot projects to embedded, repeatable practice.
Steve Wileman is Head of Digital Learning at South Staffordshire College and a recognised sector leader in AI adoption, digital governance, and practical transformation across further education. He specialises in helping colleges move from uncertainty to confident, compliant use of AI—particularly Microsoft Copilot—by translating complex data, policy, and technical considerations into clear, actionable frameworks. A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert since 2023, Steve actively supports FE and sector partners nationally and internationally, enabling organisations to adopt AI safely, ethically, and at pace.
Expertise and specialisms:
- AI strategy and governance in FE – data protection, compliance, guardrails, and risk‑managed AI adoption
- AI policy development – co‑development of sector‑recognised AI policies with Jisc, designed for reuse and scalability
- Microsoft Copilot implementation – technical readiness, adoption planning, and workload‑reduction use cases
- Digital transformation leadership – moving organisations from pilot anxiety to confident, embedded practice.