Inspire Education Group: Transforming Lives Through Vocational Excellence

A record-breaking intake of over 6,000 full-time 16 to 19-year-olds in 2024/25 speaks volumes about Inspire Education Group's growing reputation across Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. This Further Education powerhouse, formed from the 2020 merger of Peterborough College and Stamford College, has built its identity around vocational training and career-focused qualifications rather than traditional A-levels. The 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Good overall, with Outstanding grades for adult learning programmes and provision for learners with high needs. For students seeking practical, industry-linked pathways into employment, apprenticeships, or higher education, this college group offers a compelling alternative to sixth form.

Peterborough College occupies a modern campus at Park Crescent in the city centre, rebuilt in 2012 following a £120 million development. The transformation from the old Peterborough Technical College, established in 1946 to train workers for local engineering giants like Peter Brotherhood and Baker Perkins, into today's multi-campus education group reflects the changing nature of skills and employment in the region.

Rachel Nicholls has led Inspire Education Group as CEO since July 2022, having previously served as Deputy CEO and Principal of Peterborough College. Her career in further education spans over two decades, with experience across eight colleges before joining Peterborough in 2018. Under her leadership, the group achieved its Good Ofsted rating and secured major capital investment for new facilities.

The atmosphere across both the Peterborough and Stamford campuses is purposeful and industry-oriented. Students wear no uniform; the environment feels more workplace than school. The college's mission, to transform lives through inspirational education and training, translates into an ethos where courses focus on careers rather than qualifications alone. This practical orientation permeates everything from curriculum design to the industry placements woven into T-level programmes.

The student body is diverse in age and background. Alongside 16 to 19-year-olds studying full-time vocational courses, the campuses host adult learners, apprentices, and professionals undertaking continuing development. This mix creates an environment quite different from a traditional school sixth form, with students treated as young adults preparing for the workplace.

A-level results at Inspire Education Group sit below England averages, reflecting the college's primary focus on vocational rather than academic qualifications. In the most recent results, 12.7% of A-level entries achieved A* or A grades, compared to the England average of 23.6%. At A* to B, 39.9% of entries hit the higher grades, against the England benchmark of 47.2%.

These figures, however, tell only part of the story. The college ranks in the top 3% of General Further Education colleges nationally (5th out of 168) for GCSE English and mathematics results. Students retaking these crucial qualifications often achieve results that transform their onward options. The group also sits in the top 20% of GFE colleges nationally for overall achievement rates among 16 to 18-year-olds.

For students arriving without the grades required for A-level study, this represents a genuine second chance. Vocational pathways at Level 2 and Level 3 provide alternative routes to university, apprenticeships, or employment that A-level results alone cannot capture.

The curriculum prioritises vocational and technical qualifications. T-levels, equivalent to three A-levels in UCAS points, form a flagship offering across subjects including Health, Education and Childcare, Engineering, Management and Administration, Digital, Science, and Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care. These two-year programmes combine 80% classroom learning with 20% industry placement, providing substantial workplace experience before students complete their studies.

Diploma programmes span Level 1 to Level 3, covering a broad range of subject areas. The college's strength lies in practical training with industry-standard equipment and facilities. Engineering students work with machinery; hospitality students cook in a functioning restaurant; hair and beauty students practise on real clients in commercial-style salons.

Apprenticeship provision covers over 25 sector subject areas, with the college working alongside hundreds of regional employers. The 2023 Ofsted inspection rated apprenticeships as Requires Improvement, noting areas for development, but recent awards including Training Provider of the Year at the 2025 Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards suggest progress in this area.

Teaching staff bring industry experience alongside pedagogical expertise. The Ofsted report noted that students and apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills, with staff maintaining high expectations throughout their programmes.

The £13.5 million Centre for Green Technology, opened in September 2025, represents the largest recent investment in the Peterborough campus. This 2,664 square metre facility houses specialised workshops for electrical engineering, plumbing, and motor vehicles alongside dedicated spaces for training in electric vehicle infrastructure, solar PV systems, air source heat pumps, and sustainable construction practices. A Virtalis virtual reality wall enables simulated work-based learning across multiple curriculum areas.

The centre was designed as a net-zero building, with total energy demand met through on-site renewable sources. Industry partners including Rolec EV, Worcester Bosch, and Quantum have provided equipment, ensuring students train on the same technology they will encounter in employment.

Beyond the green technology centre, the Peterborough campus features Lifestyle Fitness, a comprehensive gym facility with weights, fitness classes, personal trainers, and a 3G football pitch. Revive Hair and Beauty offers commercial-style salon services to the public, staffed by students under lecturer supervision. Parcs Restaurant, run by hospitality and catering students, provides another real-world training environment.

An on-site nursery supports students who are parents, while University Centre Peterborough, located adjacent to the main college, delivers higher education validated by Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Grosseteste University, and The Open University.

The Stamford campus, serving over 2,000 students in south Lincolnshire, offers its own range of facilities including the Borderville Sports Centre and fitness facilities.

Extracurricular provision extends beyond traditional clubs and societies. The college's industry partnerships create opportunities for workplace visits, employer talks, and project briefs set by real businesses. Students regularly participate in competitions, with engineering apprentices and others achieving recognition at regional and national level.

The Dissection Society and similar academically-focused groups provide enrichment for those pursuing healthcare or science pathways. Sporting activities operate through the Lifestyle Fitness partnership, with the 3G pitch supporting football alongside other sports.

University Centre Peterborough, which achieved Silver status in the national Teaching Excellence Framework, offers a natural progression route. The centre delivers degrees across subjects from sports and forensics to English literature and accounting, enabling students to remain local while completing higher education.

The college takes a comprehensive approach to student welfare. The Wellbeing Centre in Peterborough's Yellow Zone offers confidential advice, counselling access, and signposting to services covering mental health, sexual health, housing, benefits, and substance misuse. Safe spaces and quiet areas are available throughout the campus.

Learning Support and SEND provision works closely with students, parents, schools, and external agencies. The team provides personalised support for learning difficulties, disabilities, medical conditions, and mental health needs. The Outstanding Ofsted rating for provision for learners with high needs reflects the quality of this support.

The college holds the Rainbow Flag Award for LGBTQ+ inclusion, delivered in collaboration with The Kite Trust. Safeguarding follows a whole-college approach with all staff trained in child protection. A designated teacher supports care-experienced learners, with specific services available for this group.

For students managing work alongside study, or those with family responsibilities, flexible arrangements and financial support options are available through the welfare team.

In the 2023/24 cohort of 2,114 leavers, 14% progressed to university, 9% continued in further education, 8% started apprenticeships, and 40% moved directly into employment. These figures reflect the vocational orientation of the college; many students are training specifically for employment rather than degree-level study.

University Centre Peterborough provides a local higher education option for those wishing to continue their studies. Validated degrees are available in a growing range of subjects, with degree apprenticeships recently introduced. The centre has grown to over 700 students across 50 courses.

For students seeking university elsewhere, Access to Higher Education courses provide a pathway for those lacking traditional qualifications. The college supports UCAS applications and provides guidance on progression routes.

The employment-focused destinations reflect successful partnerships with regional employers. Many apprentices secure permanent positions with their training employer upon completion, while T-level students benefit from guaranteed industry placements that often lead to job offers.

Applications for September 2026 are now open through the college website. Open events run throughout the year, providing opportunities to meet tutors, tour facilities, and discuss course options. Upcoming events include sessions in November 2025 and January 2026, typically running from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Entry requirements vary by programme and level. Level 3 courses, including T-levels and advanced diplomas, typically require GCSEs at grade 4 or above in relevant subjects. Level 2 programmes accept students with lower starting points, providing progression pathways to higher-level study. Access courses cater specifically for adults returning to education without traditional qualifications.

The admissions team offers personalised advice during open events and throughout the application process. Students uncertain about their options can discuss their interests and career goals to identify suitable courses.

There is no geographical catchment. Students travel from across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and surrounding counties. Both Peterborough and Stamford campuses are accessible by public transport, with Peterborough's city centre location well-served by bus and train connections.

The academic year runs from September to late June, with term dates published on the college website. College hours vary by course, but typically run 9am to 5pm for full-time students, reflecting the longer hours associated with T-level programmes and vocational training.

Lifestyle Fitness facilities are available to students alongside staff and the public. The various commercial facilities, including salons and the restaurant, operate during term time and offer services to visitors at competitive prices.

Vocational focus may not suit all learners. This is primarily a college for vocational qualifications, T-levels, and apprenticeships. Students seeking a traditional A-level experience with three or four academic subjects should explore school sixth forms or sixth form colleges instead. A-level provision exists but is not the institution's core strength.

A-level results sit below England averages. With 39.9% of entries at A* to B against the 47.2% England benchmark, students prioritising academic grades should weigh this carefully. The college excels in vocational training; academic route students may find stronger A-level provision elsewhere.

Apprenticeship provision requires improvement. While recent awards suggest progress, the 2023 Ofsted rated apprenticeships as Requires Improvement. Students considering this route should research specific programmes carefully and speak with current apprentices where possible.

Large, adult environment. With over 6,000 students across multiple sites, alongside adult learners and professionals, this is not a small, nurturing sixth form. Students who thrive on close pastoral relationships and a school-like environment may find the transition challenging.

Inspire Education Group serves a vital role in post-16 education across Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. For students committed to vocational pathways, T-levels, or apprenticeships, the college offers strong provision with industry-standard facilities and genuine employer connections. The new Centre for Green Technology positions the group at the forefront of training for the low-carbon economy.

This is not the right choice for students seeking a traditional academic sixth form experience or prioritising A-level grades for competitive university applications. It is, however, an excellent option for those who know their career direction and want practical, employment-focused training. Best suited to young people ready for an adult learning environment who want to develop specific skills for clearly defined career paths.