The Education Training Collective: Regional Powerhouse for Skills and Progression

A college group forged from strategic mergers across Teesside, the Education Training Collective delivers everything from A-levels to engineering apprenticeships under one umbrella. Five distinct institutions, including Bede Sixth Form College, Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, NETA Training, and Innersummit, combine to serve thousands of students across the Tees Valley. Ofsted rated the collective Outstanding in March 2025, recognising exceptional leadership and transformative outcomes for learners who might otherwise have been left behind. This is not an elite academic hothouse; rather, it is a genuine second chance provider where vocational routes carry equal weight with traditional qualifications.

The collective's name carries deliberate meaning. The Latin abbreviation et cetera suggests possibility and expansion, a philosophy that runs through everything here. Grant Glendinning, Chief Executive and Group Principal, leads an organisation driven by twin missions: empowering learners from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential, and enabling employers to find and develop the workforce they need.

Each member institution retains its identity while benefiting from shared resources. Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham offers traditional A-levels in an academic sixth form environment. Stockton Riverside College delivers vocational courses, higher education, and access programmes from its Harvard Avenue campus. Redcar and Cleveland College, once rated Inadequate before the merger, has been transformed into the college of first choice for many young people in its borough, according to Ofsted inspectors. NETA Training brings over 45 years of engineering expertise, while Innersummit in Gateshead extends the collective's reach into the North East.

Staff are described by inspectors as passionately committed to ensuring all learners receive the best possible teaching. The atmosphere across campuses is purposeful rather than pressured, with strong emphasis on individual support and progression pathways.

At A-level, 35.6% of grades achieved A*-B in the most recent results, with 3.1% reaching A* and 8.5% achieving A grades. These figures sit below the England average of 47.2% for A*-B grades, placing the collective in the lower tier of sixth form providers when measured purely on academic outcomes. The institution ranks 1919th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).

Context matters significantly here. Bede Sixth Form College, the primary A-level provider within the collective, reported a 99% pass rate in 2024, with 100% success in 16 subjects. Students achieved A* grades across demanding subjects including Chemistry, Biology, and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. Acting Principal Patrick Jordan noted these were the first formal national examinations for many students following pandemic disruption, making results particularly creditable.

The collective offers 23 A-level subjects at Bede, ranging from sciences and mathematics to humanities, languages, and creative arts. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Law, Psychology, and Government and Politics all feature, alongside less common options like Film Studies and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics.

Vocational results tell a different story. The collective's BTEC and vocational programmes achieve strong outcomes, with students regularly securing triple distinction stars in subjects like Public Services. T-Levels provide another pathway, combining classroom theory with substantial industry placements.

Teaching quality underpins the Outstanding Ofsted judgement. Inspectors found that Quality of Education rated Outstanding, with staff demonstrating expert knowledge and high expectations. Behaviour and Attitudes also received the highest rating, reflecting orderly, focused learning environments across all campuses.

Class sizes vary by programme. A-level groups at Bede tend to be smaller than vocational cohorts at Stockton Riverside or Redcar and Cleveland. All institutions emphasise individual target setting based on prior attainment, with regular progress monitoring and one-to-one pastoral support.

The curriculum deliberately balances academic and vocational routes. Students can pursue traditional A-levels at Bede, vocational qualifications at any campus, T-Levels with their 45-day industry placements, or apprenticeships that combine earning with learning. This breadth ensures most learners can find a suitable pathway regardless of prior achievement.

Engineering training through NETA benefits from over four decades of accumulated expertise. Students train on industry-standard equipment, preparing for roles in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, pipefitting, and fabrication sectors. A new £14.7 million purpose-built NETA Training centre in Thornaby, approved as a flagship Thornaby Town Deal project, will provide 5,000 square metres of specialist workshops for welding, electrical, mechanical, and pipefitting training.

The collective's leavers follow diverse pathways. In 2024, 24% of the 1,155-strong cohort progressed to university. A further 10% started apprenticeships, 26% entered employment directly, and 7% continued in further education. This distribution reflects the collective's vocational focus, where employment and apprenticeships represent successful outcomes rather than second-best alternatives.

University destinations include Russell Group institutions, with students from Bede securing places at York, Durham, and other competitive universities. Medicine features among destinations, with students achieving the demanding A* grades required for medical school entry. However, the collective does not publish detailed Russell Group percentages or Oxbridge figures, reflecting a different set of priorities from academically selective sixth forms.

Apprenticeship progression is a particular strength. NETA Training's connections with engineering employers across Teesside ensure students can access sponsored apprenticeships with clear career trajectories. The collective's apprenticeship provision was rated Good by Ofsted, the only area not receiving the highest judgement, suggesting ongoing refinement of these programmes.

The King's Trust TEAM Programme at Stockton Riverside College has supported approximately 4,000 young people over 24 years, providing 12-week personal development opportunities for unemployed 16-25 year olds. This programme alone demonstrates the collective's commitment to reaching learners who might struggle to access traditional routes.

As an open access college group, the Education Training Collective does not operate selective admissions. There are no entrance examinations, catchment areas, or faith requirements. Students apply directly to their chosen campus and programme.

Entry requirements vary by course. Around one third of A-level subjects at Bede require GCSE grade 7 or above. BTEC programmes typically require five GCSEs at grade 4 or above. Apprenticeship entry depends on employer requirements, while adult and access courses often welcome learners returning to education after gaps.

The application process is straightforward. Students complete online applications through individual college websites, attend interview or assessment sessions where appropriate, and receive offers based on meeting minimum requirements. Late applications are often accommodated where places remain available.

Open events run throughout the year across all campuses. Stockton Riverside College holds its next Open Event on 12 February 2026, with further events scheduled for 5 May 2026. Taster sessions allow prospective students to experience specific courses before committing. Welcome Days in June help new students meet tutors and classmates before September starts.

Learner support receives significant investment. The collective's Learning Support team works with students from initial application through to completion, providing academic assistance, study skills development, and personal welfare support.

Financial barriers are addressed through bursary schemes, travel support, and free meals for eligible students. The collective holds Matrix accreditation for its information, advice, and guidance services, and Disability Confident certification confirms commitment to inclusive recruitment and support.

Safeguarding was rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with robust systems protecting vulnerable learners across all campuses. Given the diverse student population, including adults returning to education, young people not in employment, and learners with additional needs, this strength is particularly significant.

Mental health support features prominently. Counselling services, pastoral tutors, and dedicated wellbeing staff ensure students facing difficulties can access help quickly. The diverse nature of the collective means support is tailored to different age groups and circumstances.

Extracurricular provision varies by campus, reflecting their different characters. Bede Sixth Form College offers traditional enrichment activities alongside A-level study. The Institute of Sport and Education provides sports-focused programmes.

Stockton Riverside College's Art and Design taster sessions, Film and TV production days, and Creative Makeup workshops showcase creative opportunities. The college holds TEF Silver status for higher education provision, indicating quality teaching at undergraduate level.

Redcar and Cleveland College features specialist facilities including an Airline Cabin facility for aviation students, a Fitness Suite, a Health and Social Care wing, and a Clean Energy Education Hub reflecting regional economic priorities. The Mo Mowlam Suite provides conference and events facilities, while the Learning Resource Centre supports independent study.

NETA Training's facilities include dedicated engineering workshops at two Stockton sites, with the forthcoming £14.7 million Thornaby campus adding substantially to capacity. Industry-standard equipment ensures students train on the same technology they will encounter in employment.

Each campus operates independently with different term dates and daily schedules. Stockton Riverside College's academic year 2025-26 runs from September to July with standard college holiday breaks. Individual course timetables vary; some programmes require attendance four or five days weekly, while others offer more flexible patterns.

Travel support is available, particularly important given the collective serves a wide geographical area across multiple sites. The Stockton Riverside campus at Harvard Avenue benefits from good transport links. Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham, Redcar and Cleveland College, and NETA's Stockton sites each serve different communities.

The collective's central enquiries line is 01642 865400, with course-specific enquiries on 01642 865566. Campus tours can be arranged throughout the year.

Academic performance sits below average. A-level results place the collective in the lower portion of providers when ranked on headline grades. Students seeking highly competitive university courses may find better raw academic outcomes elsewhere. However, value-added measures and individual student trajectories tell a different story.

This is primarily vocational provision. The collective's strength lies in technical education, apprenticeships, and employment pathways. Students primarily seeking traditional academic routes might prefer dedicated sixth forms with stronger A-level track records, though Bede offers a genuine A-level experience.

Multiple campuses mean travel considerations. A-level students typically study at Bede in Billingham. Vocational courses may be at Stockton, Redcar, or other sites depending on subject. Students must factor travel time into their decisions.

Open access means mixed prior attainment. The collective welcomes students across the achievement spectrum. Those seeking highly selective peer groups will find a more diverse environment here. For many, this inclusive approach is a strength rather than limitation.

The Education Training Collective represents further education at its most purposeful. This is not the choice for students seeking academically selective environments or the highest A-level grade profiles. Instead, it serves learners who need genuine pathways into employment, apprenticeships, and university across a remarkable range of vocational and academic routes. The Outstanding Ofsted judgement reflects transformative work with students who might otherwise struggle, not academic selectivity. Best suited to students in Teesside seeking practical, employment-focused education, those returning to learning after gaps, young people uncertain about direction, and anyone wanting to combine qualifications with real-world skills. The main limitation is academic results below England averages; the main strength is an institution genuinely committed to every learner's progression.