Nottingham College has received an Outstanding rating from Ofsted for its residential provision for apprentices training at its Ruddington campus.
The inspection, carried out in September 2026, assessed the experiences and progress of young people staying in residential accommodation while attending training, alongside safeguarding arrangements and the effectiveness of leadership and management.
Inspectors awarded the provision an Outstanding judgement in all areas, with no recommendations for improvement.
More than 400 apprentices from across the UK use the college’s residential facilities while undertaking training at its Apprenticeship and Automotive Training Centre and its engineering and electrical facilities at Ruddington.
The Ofsted report highlighted the standard of individual care and support provided to learners, describing communication between staff and stakeholders as “excellent”.
Inspectors also recognised the inclusive environment created for apprentices, which helps young people feel safe and supported while developing the skills and independence needed for employment.
The report praised the college’s approach to preparing learners for their future careers and identified several examples of exceptional practice.
Janet Smith, CEO and Principal at Nottingham College, said:
“Achieving Outstanding judgements across all areas is a fantastic endorsement of the high-quality support and opportunities we provide for our apprentices in our residential provision.
“We are incredibly proud of the inclusive and nurturing environment our teams have created, helping young people to develop and succeed. To receive no recommendations for improvement is a remarkable achievement and one that everyone involved should be proud of.”
Lindsey Smith, Assistant Principal at Nottingham College’s Ruddington campus, said:
“We are so pleased that Ofsted has recognised the quality of our residential provision at Ruddington campus. This outcome reflects the dedication of our staff, apprentices and employers, along with our commitment to providing a safe, supportive and positive environment where learners can thrive.
“Our residential provision enables apprentices from across the UK to access industry-leading training at Nottingham College. We are proud of the experience we provide and will continue to build on this success, helping learners develop the skills, confidence and independence they need for future careers.”
The inspection findings relate specifically to the college’s residential provision for apprentices at Ruddington, rather than an assessment of Nottingham College as a whole.
