Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025 Resources

Opening address
David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges
Recording

Ministerial Address
The Rt Hon the Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, Department for Education
Recording

Colleges at the heart of the Industrial Strategy
Panel session sponsored by Pearson
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director, Pearson Qualifications (Chair)
David Gaughan, Interim Director of Employment and Skills, West Midlands Combined Authority
Mark Andrews, Deputy Executive Principal - Curriculum & Strategy, North Kent College
Donna Ford-Clarke, Vice President of Vocational Qualifications and Portfolio (UK), Pearson
Simon Ryan, Business Development Manager, Wilmott Dixon
Recording

Beyond burnout: Understanding and supporting adolescent mental health in the age of anxiety
Professor Tanya Byron, Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Journalist, Author and Broadcaster
Recording
Mental Health Charter Slide

Update from Skills England
Sarah Maclean CBE and Tessa Griffiths CBE, Co-Chief Executive Officers, Skills England
Recording

Announcement of the 2025/26 Beacon award finalists
Dr Shaid Mahmood MBE, Chair, Association of Colleges and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Durham University
Recording

Announcement of the National Innovation Challenge
Konnie Huq, television and radio presenter, screenwriter and children's author
Recording

Post-truth or post-trust? How to survive in a world of AI information
Professor Victoria Baines, Professor Emerita of Information Technology and current Visiting Professor of Technology and Society at Gresham College
Recording
Presentation

Announcement of the Good for me Good for FE 2025 awards
David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges
Dr Sam Parrett CBE, CEO and Principal, London South East Colleges
Recording

Association of College’s President’s Address
Pat Carvalho, CEO/Principal, BMet and President, Association of Colleges
Recording

Socio-economic Impact Framework 2025

From pitch to podium: Lessons in leadership and performance
Maggie Alphonsi MBE, former England ruby player, sports commentator and ambassador for Britain Get Talking
Recording

Update from His Majesty’s Chief Inspector
Sir Martyn Oliver HMCI
Recording

Leadership, social justice and community cohesion
Dr Leroy Logan MBE, Former founding member and Chair, Metropolitan and National Black Police Associations, Co-founder, Voyage Youth and Chair, Transition to Adulthood
Recording

1.01 Bridging policy and practice: What do the latest 16-18 policy developments mean for your curriculum?

1.02 Make it, get it, use it: Successful extended reality (XR) strategies for further education

1.03 From disruption to direction: A strategic framework for artificial intelligence

1.04 Diversifying the curriculum

1.05 Further education socio-economic impact framework

1.07 From treatment to prevention: How colleges can build a healthier society

1.08 Leading a phenomenal culture: Using evidence informed CPD to drive your college improvement

1.10 Presence with purpose: Leading systematic and trauma-Informed change in attendance and behaviour

1.11 The Citizen Hub - Reimagining careers support through place-based collaboration

1.12 Navigating Change in Apprenticeships & Qualifications Reform

1.13 Preparing college students for votes at 16

1.14 Rooted to rise: How resilience-centred learning can transform student engagement, belonging and progression

2.01 Navigating the what, why, and how of artificial intelligence for positive futures

2.03 Transforming high needs provision: A design for life

2.04 Further education governance in flux - Are we rising to the challenge?

2.05 College funding update

2.06 Professional development that leads to change: Education Endowment Foundation's professional development guidance report

2.07 Beyond the benchmarks: rethinking Level 1 for lifelong success

2.09 A guide to effective practice in the delivery of post-16 English and maths

2.10 Strategic approaches to 14-16 education within further education: Overcoming key barriers, improving engagement and enhancing culture

2.12 From strategy to success: A whole-college approach to attendance, behaviour and attitudes

2.14 Building the future NHS workforce - A college-trust partnership that works

2.15 Real people, real impact: How the College Collective is changing continuing professional development for good

Hot Topic 1 What's next for artificial intelligence and digital technologies transformation in colleges?​

Hot Topic 3 Unlocking growth through adult education

Hot Topic 7 After the White Paper and Curriculum and Assessment Review: what curriculum opportunities for colleges?

Hot Topic 8 Ask the inspector

3.01 Job centre takeover

3.02 Beyond boundaries: Shaping the future of digital skills through partnership

3.04 Stronger together: Building an effective governance triumvirate

3.05 Analysis, development and outcomes: A successful leadership journey

3.07 Building a further education (FE) workforce fit for the future

3.09 Innovation literacy: Equipping apprentices for real-world change

3.11 Achieving outstanding careers education – A village of collaboration and support

3.12 Navigating Devolution: Local Skills Solutions for a Changing Funding Landscape

3.13 Enrichment in colleges

3.16 The happiness project - Reimagining student experience through joy and belonging