Meet Northumberland College’s Ashington Campus Principal

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is delighted to share that Judith Quinn has been appointed as Northumberland College’s new Ashington Campus Principal.

As previous Vice Principal for Curriculum & Innovation at the college group, Judith is an experienced senior leader within the further education sector, particularly across academic sixth forms and technical curriculums. In her new role, Judith will build on the college’s remarkable journey to recently becoming an Ofsted Outstanding provider.

She will work closely with college staff, stakeholders and employers to further develop its ambitious curriculum to meet skills needs across Northumberland and beyond; while providing an exceptional learning experience for every student to ensure they develop the knowledge they need to progress into employment or higher education.

A major part of Judith’s role will be overseeing the college’s move to a £52 million pioneering new campus at Wansbeck Business Park, due to open in 2026. Backed by the Department of Education (DfE), the campus will offer state-of-the-art academic and immersive technical facilities aligned to industry and regional skills priorities as well as a centre for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

On her appointment Judith said: “I am delighted to be taking up the post of Campus Principal at Ashington Campus and to continue the College’s excellent work creating the very best locally based educational and skills opportunities, for our young people, adults and wider community. It is an exciting time for Northumberland College, as we move towards the building of the Gen Zero Ashington campus and the future contribution this will bring around technical skills excellence in the Northeast.”

Judith is EPNE’s strategic lead for T Levels and Higher Education and has recently taken up a new focus around curriculum enhancement and innovation, working as part of a coalition of schools and colleges as an Edge Future Learning Leader. Other previous roles in the education sector include a lecturer in Business and Computing, through to Curriculum Leader and Assistant Principal making her well equipped to take on this pivotal role.

As Vice Principal at EPNE, she led across all aspects of academic and technical curriculum, leading the continual development of high quality, coherent, careers focused curriculum, which meets the needs of, and makes a positive contribution to improving the life chances of students.

Judith also graduated from the University of Liverpool and went on to pursue a teaching background in business and computing. She then gained her PGCE Education and master’s in education (Leadership and Management), while working full time at EPNE.

Ellen Thinnesen, Chief Executive Officer at EPNE, said: “We are delighted to appoint Judith as our Campus Principal at Ashington Campus at such a critical and exciting point in our journey.

“As well as our new Ashington Campus, we will shortly be launching our Strategic Plan as we build on our Outstanding Ofsted rating and further strive to provide life changing learning experiences for our students.

“My Deputy CEO Toni Rhodes and I are looking forward to working with Judith as someone who embodies our culture and values as she leads our Ashington Campus through the opportunities that lie ahead.”