Media releases and news

A panel of influential figures from education, skills, and the media will come together to judge the 2026 Aspiration Awards – a nationwide celebration of individuals and organisations making an outstanding impact in learning. 

The educational charity has appointed four new trustees to its board, further strengthening its governance with expertise spanning technology, adult social care, early years, and the sport, active leisure and wellbeing sector. 

A pioneering project exploring the use of mixed reality that personalises assessment and learning through advanced diagnostics and AI technology has found that learners can experience a positive increase in confidence and understanding.  

The report by NCFE, which surveyed more than 150 active TAs, also found that less than one in 10 teaching assistants feel it is a highly respected and valued role, and almost half wouldn’t recommend it as a career. 

The news comes as the DfE concluded the latest submission cycle of post-16 reforms for Level 3 Technical Occupational Qualifications – the final opportunity for awarding bodies to address the potential gap in provision for social care.

The awarding body has been named a finalist in five categories at the FAB 2025 Qualifications & Assessment Excellence Awards, including EPAO of the Year and Qualification of the Year for its Education and Early Years T Level.

Sara Louise Gilpin, a lead educator at Southern Regional College in Northern Ireland, has received the CACHE Outstanding Achievement Award at NCFE’s Aspiration Awards 2025.

The winners of the 2025 Aspiration Awards have today been announced by NCFE. Now in their eighth year, the awards honour learners, educators, and organisations across the UK who have gone above and beyond to achieve.