What outstanding apprenticeship provision looks like at Education Partnership North East

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is one of the largest and top-performing college groups in the country, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. A dynamic partnership between Sunderland College, Hartlepool Sixth Form, and Northumberland College, EPNE spans campuses from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley.

Since the merger in 2018/19, it has become one of the North East’s leading apprenticeship providers – a success built on exceptional teaching, strong employer partnerships, and the expert support of NCFE as its end-point assessment organisation (EPAO).

To find out more about what makes their apprenticeship provision so effective, we spoke with Debra Carrick, Apprenticeship Operations Manager at Sunderland College.

A regional leader in apprenticeships

Education Partnership North East has seen significant growth in its apprenticeship provision since the merger, with standards delivered across a number of sectors including health, education, social care, business, and early years.

“We’ve built a strong and consistent provision that stretches across the North and South of the Tyne,” explains Debra. “Our Outstanding Ofsted rating is a real testament to the dedication of our teams and the quality of our apprenticeship delivery.”

The group’s apprenticeship team, made up of four experienced managers and a network of committed assessors, plays a central role in driving learner success across the colleges.

A quality-first approach to learner success

High-quality delivery underpins every stage of the apprenticeship journey at EPNE. Each assessor supports a caseload of around 40–45 apprentices and works closely with learners and employers to ensure readiness for EPA.

 “A key principle for us is never putting a learner through Gateway until we’re fully confident they’re ready,” says Debra.

The college group places strong emphasis on employer collaboration, using regular progress meetings and joint reviews to ensure full transparency and shared responsibility.

Debra adds: “Before EPA, we hold a three-way review with the employer, assessor, and apprentice. This ensures everyone agrees on the learner’s readiness and supports the achievement of the best possible outcomes.”

Partnering with NCFE for timely, consistent outcomes

Timely achievement is a priority across the group’s apprenticeship provision, and NCFE’s approach aligns seamlessly with this focus.

“NCFE’s service level agreements help us keep learners on track. While learners can technically remain in Gateway for up to 12 weeks, it rarely takes that time thanks to NCFE’s efficiency,” says Debra.

Another strength is the consistency of Independent End-Point Assessors (IEPAs), who are directly employed by NCFE. This helps maintain high standards and trust in the EPA process.

Debra also mentions that the support from NCFE’s EPA Relationship team has also been a major advantage: “Having a dedicated Relationship Manager has made a big difference. During our recent move from SEPA to epaPRO, our Relationship Manager, Craig, was incredibly responsive and helpful every step of the way.”

A strong partnership for continued success

Looking ahead, Education Partnership North East is excited to continue its collaborative work with NCFE.

“Our relationship with NCFE has been very positive,” Debra concludes. “As we expand our apprenticeship offer, we know we can rely on their support and shared commitment to quality, timeliness, and learner success.”

The group’s experience shows that with strong internal systems, robust employer relationships, and the right EPAO partnership, apprenticeship providers can achieve outstanding results and empower learners to succeed in their chosen careers.

To learn more about our provision as an end-point assessment organisation, visit our apprenticeships webpage.