A BISHOP Auckland national education provider has been praised by Ofsted for providing “outstanding” outcomes for thousands of learners.

Inspectors said Learning Curve Group (LCG) produced a curriculum that was responsive to the needs of learners and employers and achieved very high pass rates that transformed lives.

It said managers and staff were “passionate” about the impact their courses have, and said the skill and dedication of tutors had inspired some young people to abandon crime and gang-culture to embrace education.

Work-place apprenticeships and distance learning enabled many in work to enjoy significant promotion and development.

Ofsted also praised its “very high-quality” learning materials, which are used by 90,000 people a year through more than 100 colleges and private training providers, allowing them to learn at a time, pace and place of their choosing. Judith Moran, LCG founder and chief executive, said: “It is incredibly satisfying to know that the benefits to learners of the progressive education that we develop and supply has been recognised.

“Unlike many other subcontractors in education, our work is scrutinised by Ofsted in the same way as that of our lead partners, ensuring quality is externally assessed and rated. I am extremely proud that our far-sighted education model has been so highly commended.”

LCG is England’s largest education sub-contractor partner and receives £20m of Adult Skills Budget funding annually.

It works with colleges to provide flexible learning to students and distance learning to those looking for higher education and skills as well as with employers to deliver apprenticeships in the workplace.

The company, which received an overall rating of good with outstanding features, operates three skill centres, running mainly construction and motor vehicle courses in Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Bishop Auckland, and three military centres in West Yorkshire, which prepare people for careers in the uniformed services and armed forces.

Ofsted also rated as “outstanding”

its work in both public services and health and social care, which includes its college and employer partnerships, and skill and military centres.

Learning Curve Group was founded in 2004. It employs 163 full time staff and 423 associates.

Its headquarters is at Innovation House, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland.