EKC Group Marks a Decade of Growth and Impact
Posted on 4 August 2025East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is proudly celebrating a decade of dynamic growth and transformative impact, as revealed in its newly published impact report. Over the past ten years, the Group has not only expanded its reach but has also earned national recognition for excellence and innovation in education.
Since 2014/15, EKC Group’s learner numbers have soared from around 1,000 young people aged 16-19 to educating and training approximately 7,000 each year. The Group’s influence now extends to more than 5,000 adult learners and over 1,300 apprentices annually, affirming its position as the largest provider of further education and technical skills training in the region.
In 2023, EKC Group achieved Ofsted’s Outstanding rating, a testament to its commitment to high-quality education. The Group has also collected numerous prestigious awards, further establishing itself as a beacon of educational excellence and economic empowerment.
EKC Group’s impact goes far beyond its college walls in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Sheppey, and nine training centres across Kent and Medway. Over the last decade, the Group has contributed an impressive £350 million to East Kent’s gross value added through £80 million of direct capital investment in East Kent.
Recent years have seen significant site developments, including extensions to colleges in Ashford and Sheppey and the opening of the Spring Lane campus in Canterbury.
In the past decade, the Group has empowered nearly 50,000 learners to participate in community action projects, collectively delivering 348,000 hours of social engagement. Additionally, 1,319 staff members have dedicated 10,522 hours to community initiatives. From planting trees and revitalising public spaces to supporting primary schools and care homes, the spirit of social action thrives throughout EKC Group.
Community Week, held several times each year, highlights these ongoing efforts and demonstrates the Group’s enduring commitment to making a positive difference in East Kent.
Looking back over the past decade, I feel an immense sense of pride in everything we’ve achieved at EKC Group. We’ve supported thousands of students in reaching their potential through outstanding education, and none of that would have been possible without the dedication and passion of our exceptional colleagues.
Lucy McLeod, Chief Executive of East Kent Colleges Group
