The National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) is the professional organisation supporting those involved in widening access to higher education (HE). NEON aims to enable those working to widen access to HE at all levels and in all sectors to affect change in their own organisations and communities.
NEON was founded in late 2011. NEON is a not-for-profit organisation and hosted by London Higher, the representative organisation for HE institutions (HEIs) in London. It is led by a steering group of widening access professionals drawn from across the educational sectors. NEON is financially self-sustaining and not supported by subsidy from the state or any other organisation.
NEON is based on a cross-sector, bottom up approach bringing together HEIs, schools, colleges, student unions, the voluntary sector, professional bodies and statutory stakeholders. The focus is on both how the progression to HE for under-represented communities and individuals can be increased and also how their success when they enter, progress through, and leave, HE can be ensured.
In 2013, NEON is developing its membership base and the organisation will be shaped by the needs of its members.
NEON has a particular focus on:
- The professionalisation of widening access activity
- Building a coherent and effective community that can best support the learners we serve.
NEON is committed to working in partnership with other organisations who share its values. Most of what NEON does is forged in collaboration with like-minded partners. If you would like to work with NEON please email Dr Graeme Atherton, NEON Director.