What Chichester College Group does

Chichester College Group (CCG) is a UK Further Education corporation and the largest further education provider in Sussex. The group operates seven colleges across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, including Chichester College, Brinsbury, Crawley College, Haywards Heath College, Worthing College, Brighton MET, and the Sixth Form College, supported by commercial subsidiaries such as Anglia Examinations and First Steps Childcare. It serves approximately 25,000+ students annually and employs around 2,600 staff, with 1,000+ employer partnerships and an international cohort of roughly 1,000 students from 80+ countries.

The group's core offering spans full-time vocational and academic programmes for 14-19 year-olds, higher education (with its own awarding powers), apprenticeships, adult learning, skills bootcamps, commercial training, and bespoke international programmes. Anglia Examinations delivers English-language qualifications globally as a separately branded commercial arm, and First Steps Childcare provides nursery services. The group holds DfE approval to operate apprenticeship provision from day one under the Growth and Skills Levy, holds TEF Silver, and has received Ofsted grades of Good overall with Outstanding for Apprenticeships and Adult Learning Programmes. Technology adoption is largely operational and pedagogical; the group is launching new AI & Automation apprenticeships and an AI Apprenticeship Unit (2026 cohort), positioning itself as a training provider for the AI workforce rather than as a developer of AI technology.

CCG's revenue model is multi-stream: (1) recurrent government grant funding via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for further education, apprenticeships, and adult skills; (2) higher education tuition fees; (3) commercial training and Skills Bootcamps delivered with local authorities; (4) international student fees and homestay income; (5) Anglia Examinations certification revenue; (6) childcare fees; and (7) venue and facility hire. The entity is publicly funded, not privately invested, and operates under a public-sector governance structure rather than a venture or PE-backed ownership model.

Name

Chichester College Group

Legal name

Chichester College Group

Website

https://chigroup.ac.uk

Company type

Public

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Chichester College Group is a UK Further Education corporation operating seven colleges across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, delivering vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and higher education programmes to 25,000+ students annually with 2,600 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chichester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: Core revenue from ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) for further education programmes, apprenticeships, and adult learning. Publicly funded educational services constitute the primary revenue stream.
2. Higher Education Tuition Fees: Fees for university-level courses including HNC, HND, Foundation Degrees, and full degree programmes. Some courses may charge tuition fees for higher education provision.
3. Commercial Training Services: Paid commercial courses including Excel, business workshops, electrical inspections, gas courses, and professional qualifications delivered to employers and individuals.
4. Venue and Facility Hire: Rental income from hiring college facilities including meeting rooms, conference spaces, sports facilities, and event venues across all campuses.
5. Anglia Examinations: Revenue from English language competence testing and assessment services. Anglia Examinations has been based in Chichester since 1993.
6. Childcare Services: First Steps Childcare Group provides paid childcare services across West Sussex, one of the largest providers in the region with over 25 years experience.
7. International Student Homestay: Weekly payments from hosting international students in homestay accommodation. International 7 Days hosting earns £196 per week.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Chichester College Group is a Further Education Corporation operating seven colleges across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove delivering further education (A-levels, GCSEs, vocational qualifications, T Levels), higher education (HNC/HND/degrees), Ofsted Outstanding-rated apprenticeships, adult learning, and skills bootcamps. The group serves approximately 25,000 students annually through employer partnerships, direct enrollment, and UCAS channels, with additional revenue from commercial training, venue hire, Anglia Examinations, First Steps Childcare, and international student homestay services.

Product overview

Chichester College Group is the largest further education provider in Sussex, operating as a platform of seven colleges (Brighton Metropolitan, Brinsbury, Chichester, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Northbrook, and Worthing), commercial businesses (Anglia Examinations, First Steps Childcare Group), and multiple service lines. The portfolio includes Ofsted Outstanding-rated Apprenticeships and Adult Learning Programmes, University-Level Courses (HNC/HND/degrees accredited by Pearson, University of Chichester, UAL, and University of Brighton), Skills Bootcamps, Commercial Training, and an International Student Programme. A Free Online Courses Portal powered by The Skills Network provides flexible e-learning. Recent innovation includes new AI & Automation Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Units. The group serves approximately 25,000 students annually and 2,600 staff across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Anglia Examinations: English language competence assessment programme based in Chichester since 1993, offering structured testing from beginner to expert level.
• First Steps Childcare
• Chichester English School

Products and services

• Apprenticeships Ofsted Outstanding-rated apprenticeship programmes combining full-time employment with structured training. Available for ages 16+ across intermediate, advanced, and higher levels, covering sectors including advanced manufacturing, finance, marketing, healthcare, and tourism.
• Apprenticeship Units Short, flexible modular courses drawn from apprenticeship occupational standards, running 30-140 delivery hours. Approved by Department for Education for delivery in AI, green energy, and engineering sectors. Funded through levy or government co-investment scheme.
• University-Level Courses Degree-level qualifications including HNC, HND, HTQ pathways, and bachelor's degrees. Courses offered in Business, Computing, Construction, Engineering, Animal Management, Art, Design, Media, Motorsport Engineering, Music, Theatre, Performing Arts, Sport, and Teaching. Accredited by Pearson, University of Chichester, UAL, and University of Brighton.
• Adult Learning Programmes Ofsted Outstanding-rated adult education programmes offering career development, new qualifications, and personal enrichment courses. Flexible learning options across multiple campuses.
• Skills Bootcamps Flexible, intensive training programmes up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19+, developed with employers. Sectors include Business, Construction, Digital, Green Technologies, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, and Early Years. Funded through Department for Education collaboration.
• Commercial Training Courses Employer-focused training including Excel, business workshops, City & Guilds electrical inspections, and gas courses designed to meet specific business needs.
• Host Provider Programme Homestay accommodation programme placing international and Rugby Academy students with local host families. Includes half-board options for international students and evening meal packages for Rugby Academy students.
• CCG Venues for Hire Commercial venue and conference facilities across all campuses available for meetings, events, and celebrations. Spaces range from small meeting rooms to large conference halls with catering options.
• Routes into Employment Partnership programme with Jobcentre Plus and West Sussex County Council delivering employment-focused courses in Construction, Digital Skills, Early Years, Green Sector, and Health and Social Care.
• International Student Services Comprehensive support for international students including A-levels, vocational courses, International Business Foundation, Access to HE, HNC/HND, English language courses, and accommodation services.
• Free Online Courses Portal (The Skills Network) A nationally recognised online learning platform providing flexible, self-paced courses in areas such as business administration, healthcare, autism, and dementia care. Learners receive digital workbooks, virtual platform access, and assessor support.
• Anglia Examinations English language competence assessment programme based in Chichester since 1993. Offers structured testing from beginner to expert user levels.
• First Steps Childcare One of the largest childcare providers in West Sussex with over 25 years' experience. Provides flexible full-day care from birth through school age across multiple settings.
• AI & Automation Apprenticeship and AI Apprenticeship Unit New AI & Automation Apprenticeship and short-form AI Apprenticeship Unit designed by employers for employers, combining workplace learning with online live classrooms. Funded through the government's Growth and Skills Levy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ofsted rated Good for overall effectiveness (2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Rolls-Royce Motor CarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partnership for apprenticeship provision. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars works with CCG to deliver apprenticeship training for workforce development in the automotive manufacturing sector.
• Solent NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare employer partnership for NHS apprenticeship programmes. Supports training for healthcare professionals within the NHS trust.
• RSPCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare organisation partnership providing apprenticeship opportunities for staff development in animal care and welfare.
• BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadcasting employer where Production Management Apprenticeship Level 7 graduate now works as Junior Production Manager after completing distinction.
• University of ChichestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner awarding degrees. CCG delivers higher education courses with degrees awarded by University of Chichester.
• University of the Arts London (UAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious arts university partner. CCG offers creative courses with degrees awarded by UAL.
• University of BrightoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for higher education programmes across CCG campuses.
• PearsoncoreTechnology or IntegrationAccreditation partner for BTEC and other vocational qualifications. Pearson is the awarding body for many CCG courses.
• Department for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department overseeing apprenticeship units delivery. CCG is approved as one of the first providers to deliver apprenticeship units under the Growth and Skills Levy.
• Brighton & Hove City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner collaborating on Skills Bootcamps delivery in the Brighton & Hove area.
• West Sussex County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty council partner for Skills Bootcamps and Routes into Employment programmes across West Sussex.
• Jobcentre PluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment employment service partnership for Routes into Employment programmes helping job seekers gain qualifications in construction, digital, early years, green sector, and health and social care.
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department supporting Skills Bootcamps funding and employment initiatives.
• Sussex & Surrey Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute of Technology partnership for STEM education at Crawley College with specialist simulation and immersive suites.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NCG (Newcastle College Group): Multi-college further education group in North East England operating seven colleges delivering further education, higher education, apprenticeships and adult learning — directly comparable in scale and portfolio structure to Chichester College Group.
• WCG (Warwickshire College Group): Multi-college FE group in the West Midlands delivering further and higher education, apprenticeships and adult skills programmes — comparable regional multi-campus FE operating model.
• LTE Group: Multi-college FE and training group including The Manchester College, Total People and Moloney & Co — directly comparable as a large UK further education corporation spanning multiple campuses and apprenticeship delivery.
• Activate Learning: Multi-campus further and higher education group across the South of England and London delivering FE, HE, apprenticeships and adult learning — directly comparable in geographic positioning and portfolio mix.
• London South East Colleges: Multi-campus further education group in South East London delivering vocational, technical and apprenticeship programmes — comparable regional multi-college FE corporation with similar apprenticeship and adult learning focus.
• South & City College Birmingham: Multi-campus further education college delivering FE, HE, apprenticeships and adult learning across Birmingham — comparable scale and operating model as a merged multi-campus FE provider.
• Cambridge Regional College: Regional further education college in the East of England offering vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, A-levels, T Levels and university-level courses — comparable as a UK FE college with similar programme breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Global education and qualifications company and CCG's BTEC awarding body — operates as a much larger incumbent across the same UK education services market with broader curriculum and assessment capabilities.
• BPP University: For-profit UK higher education and professional training provider offering apprenticeships, professional courses and degrees — broader incumbent operating in the same apprenticeship and professional training space.

Others

• University of Chichester: Regional UK university partner that validates and awards CCG's higher education degrees — adjacent institution with overlapping regional catchment and similar academic offering in Sussex.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chichester-college-group/about

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chichester College Group