The college was recently highly commended in the Employer of the Year category at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards. The college had to demonstrate that they are considerate of staff welfare, reward loyalty and promote a safe and relaxed working atmosphere.
Winners of the awards were honoured at a prestigious ceremony, which took place at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Judges hailed this year’s Portfolio Awards as one of the best yet for the standard of submitted entries.
Judith Quinn, Interim Deputy Principal of Curriculum at Sunderland College, was presented with the award by Joy Yates, Editorial Director at Johnston Press North East. Judith said:
“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious accolade and delighted to be recognised for valuing our staff, providing a safe and positive work environment and promoting wellbeing in the workplace.
“The college has a clear and ambitious vision for excellence and our culture of strong values are embedded in every part of the organisation and support our people to be the best they can be and enable them to achieve their ambitions.”
This year, this college launched an innovative leadership programme, Aspire, to nurture college leaders of the future at all levels of the organisation. The college also signed the Time to Change Employers Pledge and trained a team of Mental Health First Aiders to support staff and students with mental health issues. The college also has a Wellbeing Action Group and a staff network group for LGBTQ+.
For the first time, the college introduced a people survey to engage staff in shaping the future of the organisation. Following feedback from this, Evolve, an annual staff awards event was launched this year to recognise the excellence, dedication and innovation of individual staff and teams, and an online thank you card scheme was introduced for staff to show appreciation to their colleagues.
Staff also benefit from excellent holiday entitlement and has family-friendly working policies to encourage a good work-life balance. Staff also benefit from discounts at all commercial businesses at the college including a state-of-the-art gym, City Bistro restaurant, hair and beauty salons and travel agency.
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
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The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP, officially opened HICSA – a pioneering regional gateway for skills training.
November 12, 2025
EPNE has announced the appointment of Toni Rhodes as its new Chief Executive, following a national governor-led recruitment process.
November 11, 2025
98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
