Newcastle College has retained a rating of ‘Good’ from Ofsted following a full inspection of NCG colleges in November 2024.
The result reflects the consistently good standard of education delivered by colleagues at the College and valued partners across the North East that supports its vision to develop the skills and talents of students to succeed in modern enterprise and make a positive contribution to the prosperity of the region.
Inspectors found that the Overall Effectiveness of the College continues to be 'Good' but significant progress has been made in many areas, most notably its apprenticeships provision.
Under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, the College was also assessed for the first time on how well it meets local, regional and national skills needs, including how it work in partnership with stakeholders. The report highlights how the College engages effectively with a wide range of stakeholders across the region, how it considers regional priorities when planning curriculum and how in most curriculum areas, stakeholders are involved in the design, implementation and delivery of the curriculum.
Jon Ridley, Principal of Newcastle College, said: “I am delighted to retain our rating of ‘Good’ from Ofsted, it demonstrates our commitment to high-quality education and the people of Newcastle and North East England.
“The report highlights several standout areas that I am particularly pleased with, including enhancements to apprenticeship provision and recognition of our diverse community with learners feeling safe and included in campus life.
“I am also pleased that inspectors recognised the breadth of our work with valued partners and stakeholders across the region to meet skills needs. As a team, we are committed to providing innovation, education and opportunities for individuals to succeed right here in the Northeast and create a skilled and talented workforce for the future.”
Liz Bromley, CEO of NCG added: “This is a positive result that reflects the hard work and dedication of colleagues and partners across the country to deliver high-quality education and opportunities that can transform lives.
“I am very pleased that the report highlights the continuous improvements we have made as a Group since our last Ofsted inspection, particularly in our apprenticeships provision and in the work we have done to ensure we meet local and regional skills needs by putting employers and stakeholders at the centre of our curriculum development.
“As an ambitious organisation, we will continue to strive for outstanding education for the benefit of our learners and the communities we serve, which are at the heart of our organisation.”