Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is now rated 'Outstanding' across all aspects of its education and training provision.

NSCG, which was awarded 'outstanding' in October 2024 and a recent inspection of apprenticeship training provider Axia Solutions, Ofsted gave the same rating. It means all aspects of training and education at NSCG are now at the highest Ofsted rating.

The college group says this achievement highlights the Group's unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, relevant, and impactful learning opportunities for students, apprentices, and employers across the region. 

Craig Hodgson, principal & chief executive of NSCG, said: "This is a truly phenomenal accomplishment for NSCG.

"We are incredibly proud of the Axia Solutions team for their dedication and hard work in securing this well-deserved 'Outstanding' grade. Their success means that every aspect of our group is now officially rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, a milestone that reflects our collective pursuit of excellence and our mission to provide the very best education and training for our communities." 

The recently published Ofsted report for Axia Solutions highlighted the provider's exceptional standards, noting that apprentices "thrive and they feel highly valued, supported and well cared for."

The report also praised the team of industry-expert trainers who help apprentices "quickly apply their learning," and commended the expertly sequenced curriculums that contribute to very high achievement and attainment rates. 

 Victoria Harte, managing director of Axia Solutions, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to receive an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

"This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team, the strength of our employer partnerships, and our shared core values. This achievement is not only a significant milestone for us but is also excellent for the local area, building on existing education strengths by providing exceptional workplace training and development." 

 Axia Solutions specialises in apprenticeships, functional skills in Maths and English, and bespoke workplace learning packages, working with employers in sectors such as business, leadership and management, manufacturing, and logistics.