Education Partnership North East

What Education Partnership North East does

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is a non-profit further education college group formed in 2019 through the partnership of Sunderland College, Northumberland College, and Hartlepool Sixth Form College, operating one of the largest college networks in England with campuses spanning from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley. The group serves secondary school leavers (16-18 study programmes including A-Levels, T Levels, and vocational qualifications), adult learners (upskilling, reskilling, ESOL, and career-change pathways), and employers (apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, bespoke training, and virtual learning). In 2024 EPNE was rated Outstanding across all areas by Ofsted and ranked top performing college group in the North East (NARTS 2023-24); in 2025 its Sunderland College was named one of only 10 Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC) in England by the Department for Education, and the £20m HICSA facility at Riverside Sunderland opened as a pioneering construction-skills hub serving the broader North East via a hub-and-spoke model with five regional college partners.

Core products and technology include the three colleges' further-education curriculum, the virtual learning platform offering free courses to individuals and employers, the HICSA training facility featuring modern methods of construction, low-carbon and smart technology training, the Academy for Regional Design and Architecture (ARDA), the SEND Centre for Excellence, the College of Sanctuary programme, ESOL provision, and the Safe to Say reporting platform. The underlying technology stack is a commodity web platform with LiveChat, Google Maps, YouTube, Issu, Gecko, and krpano Panorama Viewer integrations; there is no evidence of proprietary AI or advanced data infrastructure.

The business model is overwhelmingly government-funded further education: primary revenue derives from DfE/ESFA grants for 16-18 provision, apprenticeship levy and employer contracts (apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps), Skills Bootcamps, and a smaller commercial income stream covering fee-paying courses, commercial training, and college commercial businesses (gym, restaurant, hair and beauty salons, travel agency). The group is led by Chief Executive Toni Rhodes (appointed January 2025) and is governed by a Board of Corporation chaired by James Stuart; Rebecca Storey serves as Regional Construction Skills Director for the North East CTEC and Sonya Anderson as Principal for City Campus and HICSA.

Name

Education Partnership North East

Legal name

City of Sunderland College

Website

https://educationpartnershipne.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Education Partnership North East is a non-profit further education college group comprising Sunderland College, Northumberland College, and Hartlepool Sixth Form College, serving 16-18 students, adult learners, and employers across North East England with vocational, technical, apprenticeship, and higher-education provision.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education and Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dual Enrollment / Early College Programs (via Community Colleges) (EDAHADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Further education services
• Vocational training programs
• Apprenticeship training
• Technical college education
• Construction skills academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunderland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Further Education Funding: EPNE receives government funding for further education provision, including 16-18 student programmes, adult skills training, and apprenticeships. This forms the primary revenue stream for the college group.
2. Apprenticeship Levy & Employer Contracts: Revenue generated through apprenticeship programmes funded by the apprenticeship levy, with contributions from employers across the region. Additional commercial training services for employers including Skills Bootcamps and bespoke corporate training.
3. Commercial Training Services: Fee-paying courses, commercial training for employers, and services at college commercial businesses including gym, restaurant, hair and beauty salons, and travel agency.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is a non-profit further education college group comprising Sunderland College, Northumberland College, and Hartlepool Sixth Form College, delivering A-Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and higher education pathways across North East England. The group also operates the pioneering HICSA (Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy), the ARDA architecture academy, and designated Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) provision, serving over 62,000 students through the broader Colleges for North East England partnership.

Product overview

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is a college group comprising three colleges: Sunderland College, Northumberland College, and Hartlepool Sixth Form College. It is one of the largest college groups in the North East, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. The portfolio includes core educational programs (A-Levels, T Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, higher education), specialized academies (HICSA for construction/housing skills, ARDA for architecture/design, CTEC as a regional construction hub), support services (Safe to Say reporting platform, SEND Centre for Excellence, ESOL language programs, College of Sanctuary), and employer-focused offerings (virtual learning, skills bootcamps, apprenticeships). The colleges serve the North East region from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley, with a strategic plan for 2025-2030 focused on excellence and inclusivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sunderland College: Main further education college offering A-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and higher education programs
• Northumberland College
• Hartlepool Sixth Form College
• HICSA (Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy)
• New Ashington Campus
• North East CTEC

Products and services

• Sunderland College Further education college within EPNE offering A-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels, and higher education programs across multiple campuses in Sunderland. For students aged 16-18, adult learners, and employers seeking workforce training.
• Northumberland College Further education college within EPNE providing vocational training, apprenticeships, and further education across Northumberland, including the New Ashington Campus. Serves regional students and adult learners across multiple sites.
• Hartlepool Sixth Form College Sixth form college within EPNE offering A-Levels, vocational courses, and pathways to higher education and apprenticeships for students in the Hartlepool area.
• Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) A pioneering purpose-built facility at Riverside Sunderland for housing and construction skills training, featuring modern methods of construction (MMC), low carbon, renewable energy, and smart technology training. For construction students, apprentices, and regional employers.
• Academy for Regional Design and Architecture (ARDA) An innovative partnership programme between EPNE, Northumbria University, and architecture firms (BDN, FaulknerBrowns, MawsonKerr, Velux, Space Architects) to help young people explore opportunities in construction, design, and architecture careers.
• Virtual Learning Courses Free virtual learning courses available online for individuals developing their own skills or for employers seeking to enhance staff skills across various vocational and technical areas.
• Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes across various sectors connecting employers with learners for work-based training and employment pathways, funded through the apprenticeship levy and employer co-funding.
• Skills Bootcamps Intensive, flexible training programmes designed to help learners develop skills in specific areas with pathways to employment or further education, available to individuals and employers.
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) English language courses for speakers of other languages, supporting integration, communication, and skill development for migrants, refugees, and non-native English speakers.
• SEND Centre for Excellence A centre focused on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, providing training and support for practitioners and students with SEND across the region.

Quantifiable outcome

• North East colleges surpass GFE national achievement rate of 88%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Sunderland City CouncilflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2025Key strategic partner in Riverside Sunderland development. Sunderland City Council played a leading role in making HICSA a reality, creating career opportunities for local people. The council led construction of the HICSA facility and is a key supporter of EPNE's CTEC designation. The partnership supports the city's ambitions for regeneration, housing construction, and skills development.
• Northumbria UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Strategic partnership between EPNE and Northumbria University signed via Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen links between further and higher education. The partnership creates clear and aligned educational pathways with guaranteed progression routes into higher education. At HICSA, Northumbria University provides on-site graduate researchers and expertise in technologies and innovation. The collaboration aims to ensure visible routes for progression for students studying at HICSA, providing exceptional teaching and facilities underpinned by this growing partnership.
• Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOBIE, founded by TV architect George Clarke, is a founding partner of HICSA. The organisation was established to inspire young people and revolutionise the approach to homes through innovative design and construction. MOBIE provides strategic guidance and industry connections for the construction skills academy, with plans for HICSA to potentially serve as its national HQ.
• GentoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing provider partner operating the Gentoo Trades Academy for 14-16-year-olds at HICSA. Gentoo provides work experience placements and site visits for students, contributing to the ecosystem of employer engagement that supports students' transition from education to employment in construction.
• Academy for Regional Design and Architecture (ARDA) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARDA is an innovative partnership between EPNE, Northumbria University, Building Design Northern (BDN), FaulknerBrowns, MawsonKerr, Velux, and Space Architects. Created to help young people explore opportunities across construction industries while developing skills employers need. Partners provide industry expertise, career guidance, and progression pathways for students interested in architecture and design careers.
• Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic education partner collaborating on specialised construction qualifications for students alongside their GCSEs. Students from the trust can study towards construction qualifications supported by Sunderland College, with workshops and training at HICSA.
• Brims ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunderland-based building and civil engineering company appointed to construct the HICSA facility. Brims Construction built the pioneering training base that will educate and upskill local people in construction skills.
• Colleges for North East EnglandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership bringing together colleges across the North East including Bishop Auckland College, Derwentside College, East Durham College, EPNE (Sunderland College, Northumberland College, Hartlepool Sixth Form), Gateshead College, Newcastle College, New College Durham, and Tyne Coast College. The partnership drives sustainable economic growth, advances social justice, fosters innovation, and collectively educates 62,000+ students.
• Strategic Education Partners (CTEC Spokes)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional colleges serving as spokes for the North East Construction Technical Excellence College: Derwentside College, East Durham College, Northumberland College, Tyne Coast College, and The Education Training Collective's (ETC) Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton Riverside colleges. Each ensures learners across the region can benefit from CTEC within their communities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bishop Auckland College: Bishop Auckland College is a North East England FE college within the Colleges for North East England partnership, providing further education, vocational training and apprenticeships to a comparable regional student demographic.
• Weston College: Weston College is a multi-campus FE college in South West England with a comparable Ofsted Outstanding rating and a similar mix of vocational, apprenticeship, T Level and higher education provision, making it a strong national-level FE peer for EPNE.
• Leeds College of Building: Leeds College of Building is a UK FE college specialising in construction and built environment skills, the closest specialist construction FE peer to EPNE's HICSA and CTEC construction skills focus.
• New College Durham: New College Durham is a further education college in North East England offering A-Levels, vocational qualifications, T Levels and apprenticeships to a comparable regional student population, and a fellow member of the Colleges for North East England partnership.
• Gateshead College: Gateshead College is a North East England FE college providing vocational, technical and apprenticeship programmes to a similar 16-18 and adult learner base, competing for the same regional employer and student pool as EPNE.
• Newcastle College (NCG): NCG operates Newcastle College, a directly comparable North East England further education college offering A-Levels, vocational courses, T Levels, apprenticeships and higher education to a similar student demographic in close geographic proximity to EPNE.
• Activate Learning: Activate Learning is a UK further education college group operating across multiple regions including Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey, offering a comparable mix of vocational, apprenticeship and higher education provision at similar institutional scale to EPNE.
• The Education Training Collective: ETC is a Tees Valley-based FE college group operating Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College, offering comparable vocational, apprenticeship and technical provision to EPNE and a fellow CTEC spoke partner.
• East Durham College: East Durham College is a North East England FE provider delivering vocational and technical programmes and apprenticeship training; it is also a CTEC spoke partner alongside EPNE, making it both a peer and a collaborator in construction skills delivery.

Broad incumbents

• LTE Group: LTE Group is one of the UK's largest FE and skills groups (encompassing The Manchester College, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and others). It is comparable as a large-scale FE college group but operates at significantly larger scale and a broader geographic footprint than EPNE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/epnortheast
• Facebookfacebook.com/EPNorthEast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epnortheast

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Education Partnership North East