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SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
September 2026
CONTENTS Celebrating the Class of 2026: University Centre Peterborough Graduates Take Centre Stage at Peterborough Cathedral................. 3
IEG Vice Principal Puts Belonging and Wellbeing at Heart of Student Experience..................................................................................................... 3
New Generation of Aviation and Defence Students Begin Their Career Journey......................................................................................................... 4
IEG Leaders Recognised in Peterborough Top 100 at Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce Centenary Celebration..................................................................................................... 4
Inspire Education Group named Training Provider of the Year for Second Year Running at Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards 2026...................................................................................... 5
Why Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s £2B Visitor Economy Needs Education and Employers at the Same Table...... 5
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Inspire Education Group Newsletter
CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2026: UNIVERSITY CENTRE PETERBOROUGH GRADUATES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL University Centre Peterborough, part of Inspire Education Group, proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of its graduating students at its annual graduation ceremony, held once again in historic Peterborough Cathedral.
Many of the graduates are local to Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and the surrounding regions, highlighting UCP’s ongoing mission to nurture home-grown talent that directly strengthens the local workforce. Read the full article here.
IEG VICE PRINCIPAL PUTS BELONGING AND WELLBEING AT HEART OF STUDENT EXPERIENCE Creating a place where students feel they belong, are supported and can achieve their ambitions will be at the heart of Inspire Education Group’s approach to student experience in the 2026/27 academic year. Vice Principal for Quality and Student Experience, Emma Hemmings, is looking ahead to her first full academic year in the role, with a focus on the experiences that help students thrive throughout their time in Further Education. Read the full article here.
Inspire Education Group Newsletter
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NEW GENERATION OF AVIATION AND DEFENCE STUDENTS BEGIN THEIR CAREER JOURNEY A new generation of aspiring aviators has officially begun their journey towards careers in aviation, engineering and the defence sector, as 72 Further Education students matriculated at a special ceremony at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincoln. Held on Monday 21 September, the annual ceremony brought together students from the Air and Space Institute (ASI), Peterborough College and Stamford College, marking the beginning of their studies across Military and Defence Pilot and Engineering pathways. Read the full article here.
IEG LEADERS RECOGNISED IN PETERBOROUGH TOP 100 AT CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CENTENARY CELEBRATION Two senior leaders from Inspire Education Group (IEG) have been recognised in the Peterborough Top 100, celebrating individuals making an outstanding contribution to the city’s business community and economy. Rachel Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer of IEG, was recognised in both the Business Leader and Civic Leader categories, while James Whybrow, Vice Principal for Apprenticeships and Higher Education, was recognised as a Talent Champion. Read the full article here.
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Inspire Education Group Newsletter
INSPIRE EDUCATION GROUP NAMED TRAINING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING AT PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS 2026 Inspire Education Group (IEG) has been named Training Provider / Programme of the Year at the Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards 2026, retaining the title for the second consecutive year.
The back-to-back win follows another strong year for apprenticeships across the Group, with IEG apprentices and employer partners also recognised among the finalists at this year’s awards. Read the full article here.
WHY CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH’S £2B VISITOR ECONOMY NEEDS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYERS AT THE SAME TABLE With major investment and ambitious plans set to grow Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s £2 billion visitor economy, how can we ensure local people and businesses benefit? James Whybrow, Vice Principal for Apprenticeships and Higher Education at Inspire Education Group, explores why employers and education providers need to work together now to build the skills and workforce our region will need for the future. 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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