Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Exceptional.
JULY NEWSLETTER
July 2026
CONTENTS Helping Young People Build Brighter Futures: Inspire Education Group Marks Youth Employment Week 2026................................................................................................................................. 3
University Centre Peterborough Student Satisfaction Ranks Above UK Sector Average in 2026 National Student Survey (NSS)........................................................................................................ 3
Inspire Education Group Colleagues Recognised in Pearson National Teaching Awards 2026......................................................... 4
IEG CEO Rachel Nicholls shortlisted for Business Leader of the Year at Mercury Business Awards 2026........................... 4
Inspire Education Group admitted as Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution for Further Education.................................. 5
From Ambition to Action: Delivering the Promise of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs)....................................................... 5
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Inspire Education Group Newsletter
HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES: INSPIRE EDUCATION GROUP MARKS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT WEEK 2026 Inspire Education Group was proud to support Youth Employment Week 2026, joining organisations across the UK in celebrating the partnerships, opportunities and achievements that help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in education, employment and training.
Running from 6–10 July, Youth Employment Week shone a spotlight on the importance of preparing young people for the world of work through collaboration between educators, employers, communities and government. Read the full article here.
UNIVERSITY CENTRE PETERBOROUGH STUDENT SATISFACTION RANKS ABOVE UK SECTOR AVERAGE IN 2026 NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY (NSS) University Centre Peterborough (UCP) is celebrating significant widespread improvements in student satisfaction following the publication of the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS) results, published yesterday. UCP has proudly outperformed the UK sector average across multiple core areas of academic themes and student satisfaction. The latest independent results, released by the Office for Students (OfS), show stellar year-on-year growth across almost every key evaluation category highlighting University Centre Peterborough’s continued commitment to delivering an outstanding higher education experience. Read the full article here.
Inspire Education Group Newsletter
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INSPIRE EDUCATION GROUP COLLEAGUES RECOGNISED IN PEARSON NATIONAL TEACHING AWARDS 2026 Jill Edwards, a Learning Support Worker at Peterborough College, has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement in the Teaching Assistant of the Year category. Jill was recognised for her outstanding work supporting learners with additional needs, helping students build confidence, independence and achieve their full potential through patient, personalised support. At Stamford College, Hayden Honey-Allen has been awarded Highly Commended in the Further Education Lecturer of the Year category.
Hayden was recognised for inspiring learners to aim high through innovative teaching, employer engagement and nationally recognised opportunities, including mentoring students who contributed to the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee Youth Engagement Programme. Read the full article here.
IEG CEO RACHEL NICHOLLS SHORTLISTED FOR BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AT MERCURY BUSINESS AWARDS 2026 Inspire Education Group is delighted to announce that Chief Executive Officer Rachel Nicholls has been shortlisted for Business Leader of the Year at the Mercury Business Awards 2026. Under Rachel’s leadership, the Group has invested in industry-leading facilities including Stamford College’s Modern Methods of Construction Centre and Peterborough College’s Centre for Green Technology, helping to develop the skilled workforce needed for high-growth sectors while strengthening partnerships with more than 800 employers. Read the full article here.
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Inspire Education Group Newsletter
INSPIRE EDUCATION GROUP ADMITTED AS CHARTERED MEMBER OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTION FOR FURTHER EDUCATION Inspire Education Group has been admitted as a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE), recognising the Group’s commitment to excellence across education, leadership and professional practice. IEG was formally admitted during the Chartered Institution’s Summer Admissions Ceremony, joining a growing network of colleges and professionals dedicated to advancing Further Education across the UK. Read the full article here.
FROM AMBITION TO ACTION: DELIVERING THE PROMISE OF LOCAL SKILLS IMPROVEMENT PLANS (LSIPS) Following the publication of the latest Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Greater Lincolnshire, Rachel Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Education Group, shares her perspective on what comes next. While recognising the significant work undertaken to develop the plans, Rachel reflects on the importance of collaboration, investment and longterm partnership in turning regional ambitions into lasting opportunities for learners, employers and communities. Read the full article here.
Inspire Education Group Newsletter
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Peterborough College www.peterborough.ac.uk 0345 872 8722 Stamford College www.stamford.ac.uk 01780 484300 University Centre Peterborough www.ucp.ac.uk 01733 214466
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www.ieg.ac.uk