Programme – Wednesday 19 November

Registration and exhibition open

Hall 3 and Hall 3 Foyer

Refreshments available, registration sponsored by NCFE
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs

Future college funding - Early bird session

Hall 8a

• Jo Watson, Area Director South West, Association of Colleges (Chair)
• Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy, Curriculum and Funding), Association of Colleges
• Imran Tahir, Economist, Institute for Fiscal Studies

Welcome by the conference chair

Hall 1

Sameena Ali-Khan, ITV News Presenter

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

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

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

Hot topic discussions

An opportunity for delegates to select from a selection of hot topics to discuss and challenge with peers
For the full hot topic listings, please click here

Hot topic one
What's next for artificial intelligence and digital technologies transformation in colleges?

Hot topic two
What will SEND reforms mean for college students?

Hot topic three
Unlocking growth through adult education

Hot topic four
How should colleges balance local versus national skills priorities?

Hot topic five
Will the post-16 education and skills white paper deliver a system that works for all?

Hot topic six
New government – Changing industrial relations and the current trade dispute

Hot topic seven
Curriculum and Assessment Review – What can colleges expect?

Hot topic eight
Ask the Inspector

Lunch and exhibition
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs

AoC National Chairs’ Council networking lunch - Hall 1 foyer level 5
We are pleased to invite all college chairs, vice chairs, governors and governance professionals to this lunchtime session, hosted by the AoC National Chairs’ Council.
During this session, we will explore priorities for the year ahead, including early signals from the policy landscape, reflections on the NCC workplan, and FE sector updates. We will also discuss the importance of regional collaboration and how governance can add value without duplication. We hope you can join us for lunch and “some food for thought”.

New Principals’ and CEOs lunch - Hall 3 triangle (next to Hall 3)
By invitation only

Ofsted officials are available to answer questions regarding the recent changes to the framework - Executive rooms 4, 5 & 6

Breakout session - Strand three
For the full breakout session listings, please click here

Exhibition and refreshments
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs

Department for Education officials are available to discuss T Levels, proposed V levels and changes to level 2 pathways and the proposed new level 2 English and Maths qualifications - Hall 3 gallery

Ofsted officials are available to answer questions regarding the recent changes to the framework - Executive rooms 4, 5 & 6

Chair’s welcome back
Sameena Ali-Khan, ITV News Presenter

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

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

Closing remarks
David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges