Education Partnership North East celebrates second Outstanding Ofsted rating

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is proud to announce that Northumberland College has been rated Outstanding in all areas for its residential provision at Kirkley Hall, following a recent inspection by Ofsted.

This latest achievement is EPNE’s second Outstanding Ofsted judgement following an enhanced inspection across all its colleges in 2024 and confirms the group’s national reputation as a leader in education and skills, student welfare, safeguarding, and residential services.

Published in April 2025, the Ofsted report – under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) – celebrates the outstanding quality of care, leadership, and educational experience offered at Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus.

Inspectors praised the strong sense of belonging, transformative student experiences, and the college’s culture of care and innovation, noting that “residential students echoed the positive messages and behaviour of leaders and staff, who are excellent role models. Students feel listened to, valued and that their opinions are important. Students are proud of their college and have a strong sense of belonging there. They will leave college with positive life-long memories. For many, they will have transformative experiences”.

The inspection also found that “students talk enthusiastically about how they are growing in their sense of personal responsibility and independence toward adulthood. They demonstrate a keen sense of support for each other and gave many examples of how they help each other to get through difficult patches. Staff are highly skilled in conflict avoidance and resolution, and students gave examples of how staff have helped them to improve relationships between friendship groups, fostering a genuine sense of inclusion and acceptance for all”.

In addition, inspectors commended the leadership team’s persistent, student-focused ethos, stating: “All college leaders, from the governance board to the on-site multi-disciplinary senior team, are visible and supportive… Their regular on-site presence demonstrates a commitment to the holistic approach so evident throughout the campus.

“Innovation is a college trademark. A relationships-based approach is embedded into college life supported by effective training, reflection and practice. All staff, including administrative and catering staff, offer a warm and welcoming, student-focused service, where curiosity and open-mindedness sets people at ease, validates their presence and maintains a sense of safety and calm”.

“Teamwork is a golden thread that connects all staff. At every level, individuals are invested in, challenged, held to account and supported to do their best for every residential student”.

Earlier this year, Kirkley Hall was ranked the top performing specialist land-based college in the country for 16–18-year-old student achievement.

The college’s residential provision enhances an already outstanding curriculum, giving students from outside Northumberland the opportunity to study in specialist facilities, including a national award-winning, highly specialist training zoo, a working commercial farm, a specialist equine centre and veterinary nursing facilities.

Ellen Thinnesen, Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East, commented: “This Outstanding judgement is testament to the vision, professionalism and dedication of all our staff who work tirelessly to ensure young people not only achieve academically but also thrive emotionally and socially.

“I am incredibly proud of our team at Northumberland College who have transformed standards and quality over several years – with two Outstanding inspections over the last few months – this is a landmark moment for us all.”

Toni Rhodes, Deputy Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East, added: “We are absolutely delighted with this result. It reflects the passion and care that our residential and curriculum teams put into creating a nurturing, inspiring environment where students feel safe, supported and ready to succeed.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition from Ofsted validates just how much of a difference our approach makes to their lives.”

James Stuart, Chair of EPNE’s Board of Corporation, also praised the achievement, adding: “We are incredibly proud that Northumberland College has received this richly deserved Outstanding rating. It reflects our values as an organisation and the impact of our continued investment in people, culture and community.

“On behalf of our Governors, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has worked so hard for such a long time to realise this great step in our journey.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and this inspection confirms that our approach is truly life changing.”

The report also praised the safeguarding culture, residential staff training, and EPNE’s residentially focused online learning platform, noting it as a model worthy of wider dissemination across other colleges.

With a continued focus on research-informed practice, student well being, and community impact, EPNE’s colleges are setting national standards in further education and residential care.

Read the full Ofsted report by clicking here.