ABOUT US
History of FACE
The story of FACE spans more than four decades. While policies and terminology have shifted, the core aims of collaboration, knowledge‑sharing and national recognition have endured and today they’re delivered at greater scale than ever.
The beginning
1984 – PACE gains charitable status
On 12 December 1984 the Charity Commission registered the Polytechnic Association for Continuing Education (PACE) as Charity No. 289413. Five founding objectives still underpin our work today:
Collaboration: promote cooperation between polytechnics on continuing‑education developments.
Knowledge sharing: exchange and disseminate information and ideas about continuing education in polytechnics.
Sector dialogue: participate with other bodies on matters of common concern.
Programme innovation: encourage new continuing‑education initiatives within or through the aegis of polytechnics.
National recognition: provide a focus for recognising polytechnic activity in the field.
The development
1994 – Transition to FACE – Transition to FACE
A revised Charity Commission Scheme on 12 October 1994 widened the remit and renamed the organisation the Forum for the Advancement of Continuing Education (FACE). Importantly, it added a mandate to organise sector‑shaping activities—with an annual national conference quickly becoming the backbone of our shared learning and influence.
2000s– From Advancement to Access
As widening participation moved centre stage, the network adopted its current name, Forum for Access and Continuing Education, and expanded into policy engagement, research dissemination and a truly cross‑sector membership
Today
Fast‑forward to today and FACE is a 700‑strong, peer‑led community translating bold ideas into practical action. We still deliver against the objectives agreed in 1994—just in new, member‑driven ways:
| 1994 Objective | How FACE delivers it today |
|---|---|
| Collaborate & innovate | SIG‑led projects, joint research bids and a thriving peer network |
| Exchange & disseminate | Resource hub, blog, webinars and peer‑reviewed Annual Research Publication |
| Participate in sector dialogue | Policy working groups shaping responses to OfS, DfE & other consultations |
| Initiate new developments | Incubator grants and member‑hosted events piloting innovative practice |
| Provide a national focus | Annual Summit sets collective priorities; the blog and social media amplify the outcomes |
| Organise sector‑shaping activities | Events through the year anchored by our three‑day Annual Conference |
This living continuity shows that while methods evolve, our mission remains unchanged.
