EPNE proud to be Outstanding

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) has received an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection, marking a significant milestone in the group’s remarkable journey.

The inspection is an outcome of a relentless eight-year ambitious transformation, during which time EPNE has delivered significant financial recovery – taking two insolvent colleges to a position of collaborative financial strength – and has been rated as the top performing college group in the North East for student achievement by the Department for Education.

A large team of inspectors met with students, staff, college leaders, employers, and community partners during a rigorous enhanced inspection visit where they extensively assessed the performance and quality of provision across all campuses in Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College.

The inspection team found “the culture of the organisation has become one of high aspiration and continuous improvement.”

Remarkably, Ofsted judged every area across every college as Outstanding. This includes Outstanding judgements for the quality of education, provision for young people, adult education, apprenticeships, provision for students with special education needs (high needs), behaviours and attitudes, personal development and leadership. As an outcome the group’s overall effectiveness has also been judged as Outstanding.

Across all colleges, inspectors found “students and apprentices benefit from high quality teaching” – they describe teachers as “skilful”. Ofsted also reported that student behaviour across all college campuses is “exemplary” and that students “achieve extremely well”.

In addition, the inspection team found that “students who have high needs complete work that is exceptionally demanding, and, as a result, they achieve the best possible outcomes. Young people are ambitious for their future because of the support and high-quality teaching they experience. Teachers support students exceptionally well to achieve their ambitions, and a very high proportion move on to positive destinations”.

Receiving the highest possible rating of strong for contribution to skills, Ofsted found evidence to show how the college group’s curriculum has been transformed over the past eight years (including new colleges joining the group through mergers). As an outcome “curriculum closely meets the needs of the North East region” and “expertly aligns” to the skills needs in Sunderland, Hartlepool and Northumberland.

As a leading academic, technical, further and higher education provider, the work of the group extends beyond the delivery of qualifications and skills for the economy, to the local community and community development. Ofsted found that “students and apprentices benefit from an extensive range of activities to develop their understanding of social responsibility and actively engage within their local community”.

Inspectors found evidence of a wide range of student led initiatives such as creating food hampers for children in poverty and hardship, raising funds for cancer charities and delivering for social cohesion following the recent riots.

The group has delivered millions of pounds worth of training and education in areas such as manufacturing and engineering, construction and housing, digital, health sectors and for the rural economy. In addition to significant capital investment in facilities and resources, the group has built a highly nurturing environment, shown outstanding quality of teaching, delivered a wealth of opportunities, and provided a commitment to student success. This approach has improved attendance, retention, achievement and progression to employment, further study and places at some of the country’s top universities.

Chair of Governors, James Stuart added: “This is a fantastic recognition for the combined efforts and dedication of everyone across the college group in achieving our ambitious vision. The Governors are extremely proud of the journey we have been on and the role everyone has played to position the group as a leading provider of further and higher education now and into the future.”

Ellen Thinnesen, Chief Executive of EPNE, said: “I can with all certainty say, our achievements are the product of many great people, who are deeply passionate for the North East and the local communities served by our colleges.

“Firstly, to our people, our inspiring workforce (past and present), today’s success is the product of your hard work, your determination, self-belief and courage. To see inspectors moved to tears at the life-changing work you deliver every day, was simply remarkable.

“To civic, employer and community partners who are part of our rich and diverse ecosystem. It really does take a community! You have enabled all our colleges to aim high, reach beyond our immediate boundaries and to make an outstanding difference. Thank you.

“I especially would like to thank Toni Rhodes, Deputy Chief Executive and Ofsted Nominee for leading what was a complex whole group inspection, and for her tireless focus on quality.”

Achieving a clean sweep of Outstanding judgements, the group now looks forward to the launch of its new strategic plan in 2025, and the completion of change-making projects, such as the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), which will open its doors in Sunderland in 2025, and Northumberland College’s Ashington-located Gen Zero, Technical College Campus, in 2026, backed by the Department for Education.

EPNE is focussed on unlocking potential, creating opportunities, and transforming lives, and the Ofsted rating is the first step towards an exceptional future.