On 27 October 1904, 200 technical teachers laid the basis for NATFHE's foundation as the London-based Association of Teachers in Technical Institutes was formed.

From these modest beginnings the ATTI - based largely in FE colleges and the former polytechnics - rapidly developed, merging with the Association of Teachers in Colleges and Departments of Education (a teacher educators' organisation, formed in 1943 from an amalgamation of the Training College Association and the Council of Principals) to form NATFHE on 1 January 1976.

You can read more about our centenary in NATFHE-100 years on .

NATFHE places great store by professional unity and this is reflected in the way it has developed since its inception with a number of major professional groups deciding to join forces with the union:

• 1983: Association of Teachers in Prison Establishments
• 1984: Association for Adult & Continuing Education
• 1990: Association for Agricultural Education Staffs

With 67,000 members today NATFHE can truly claim to speak for the majority of academic and related staff in post-school education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.