‘Outstanding’ inspection reveals transformative impact of Teesside University apprenticeships

An Ofsted inspection has rated Teesside University’s professional apprenticeships as ’Outstanding’ in every category and praised the transformative impact of the qualifications.

Ofsted inspectors visited the University earlier this year and their report, published this week, has highlighted how the University’s professional apprenticeships are supporting industry by meeting skills needs as well as helping more people access higher education.

Teesside University is one of the largest higher education providers of apprenticeships in the country with more than 2,500 students studying on one of the 40-plus apprenticeships offered by the University.

The University was first inspected by Ofsted in 2019 when it also achieved an Outstanding rating for its higher apprenticeships.

In the intervening years Teesside University has grown its apprenticeship provision substantially, and professional apprenticeships are now a core part of its strategy, with apprentices accounting for more than one in ten learners at Teesside.

The latest inspection took place over four days in January, and key findings from the report include:

• “For many apprentices, the experience has a transformational impact on their careers and lives.”
• “Most apprentices achieve well and rapidly develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to progress very successfully in their careers.”
• “Leaders use their strong partnerships with further education providers through the Teesside University college partnership, employers, and industry representatives to ensure that the design and delivery is appropriate to meet skills needs.”
• “Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills and, as a result, become much more confident in applying what they have learned in the workplace."
• “Leaders ensure that their apprenticeship strategy is underpinned by a strong commitment to widening participation and improving social mobility.”
• “Apprentices benefit from a very professional, inclusive and supportive culture.”

For many apprentices, the experience has a transformational impact on their careers and lives

2025 Ofsted inspection report

• “Leaders and governors have very skilfully led the significant expansion of their apprenticeship provision since the previous inspection.”

Teesside University’s grading of Outstanding follows its success in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) where it was awarded a Gold rating across all areas.

The University is now one of only three higher education institutions in the country to achieve both a TEF Gold and an Ofsted Outstanding rating.

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Paul Croney OBE, said: “As a University which is dedicated to changing lives and economies, it gives me great pride and pleasure to receive this independent verification of the significant impact of our apprenticeship provision.

“By delivering an alternative pathway into higher education for students, our Professional Apprenticeships are helping more people to benefit from the transformative opportunities provided by higher education.

“At the same time, by supporting employers with the skills needed to ensure their business thrives, they are playing a major role in the economic growth of the Tees Valley and beyond.”

Jo Burgess, Director of Professional Apprenticeships at Teesside University, added: “Teesside University is now one of the largest higher education providers of apprenticeships in the country, and to consistently deliver outstanding apprenticeships across so many different standards, relies on forging extremely strong partnerships between the University, the employer and the apprentice.

“This fantastic Ofsted inspection result is testament to the hard work of everybody involved in creating those partnerships.

"We have worked extremely closely with our partners to ensure that the apprenticeships that we deliver meet those needs, enabling our apprentices to succeed and thrive in their careers and make a real difference in the workplace.”

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