LSBU Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted with ‘Outstanding’ for Personal Development in Apprenticeship Provision
London South Bank University (LSBU) is proud to announce that its apprenticeship provision has been rated ‘Good’ overall by Ofsted, with the university receiving an ‘Outstanding’ grade for Personal Development. This achievement highlights LSBU’s dedication to empowering apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and personal growth opportunities they need to succeed in their careers and beyond.
The inspection, conducted in December 2024, praised LSBU’s efforts in providing apprenticeships that meet local, regional and national skills needs. The report highlighted the university’s strong collaboration with employers, innovative teaching strategies, and commitment to supporting apprentices’ individual development. LSBU currently delivers a wide range of apprenticeship programmes, from nursing and allied health professions to construction and digital marketing, serving approximately 3,200 apprentices.
Ofsted commended LSBU for fostering qualities such as confident communication and resilience in apprentices, enabling students to thrive in the workplace and take on additional responsibilities. During the inspection, Ofsted noted LSBU’s Student Union provision for apprentices, including their events, such as Lunch & Learns, which are designed to fit into an apprentice’s schedule and add to their overall outcomes. The report also recognised the University’s inclusive learning environment, including tailored support for apprentices with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and for delivering outstanding careers advice.
It follows earlier endorsement of LSBU which was named the Best University for Apprenticeships at the 2024 Apprenticeship Guide Awards.
Professor David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor at LSBU, said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the high quality of our apprenticeship provision and rated our Personal Development as ‘Outstanding’. We are committed to transforming lives through education and ensuring our apprentices receive the support, opportunities, and skills they need to succeed. This result reflects the dedication of our staff, the hard work of our apprentices, and the strength of our partnerships with employers.”
Michael Mackenzie, Business Unit Director at Kantar, added: “Kantar have been partnering with LSBU for 3 years and our Apprenticeship Programme runs from strength to strength. It is now fully embedded as a hugely valued route to identifying and nurturing a diverse and engaged talent pool. We have built an extremely positive working relationship with LSBU as part of the process and feel able to feedback concerns and collaborate to maximise the experience of our Apprentices.”
Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at LSBU, reflected: “LSBU’s ‘Outstanding’ rating for Personal Development is a testament to our commitment to developing apprentices as individuals, equipping them not just with technical expertise but with the confidence and resilience they need to excel in their roles. I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done to create a learning environment where every apprentice can flourish. We remain focused on delivering impactful, employer-focused training that meets the evolving needs of industries and communities.”
LSBU will continue to strengthen its apprenticeship provision, focusing on increasing completion rates for certain programmes and maintaining high standards across all areas.
Find out more information about LSBU’s apprenticeship programmes.