My recent visit to Eastern Education Group with Clare Appleby was an inspiring experience that showcased how further education (FE) can transform lives and communities. Under the exceptional leadership of CEO Nikos Savvas, exceeding a decade, the Group has positioned itself as a cornerstone of regional development, social impact, and educational innovation. Nikos stands out as a strong and focused leader, a philosopher and historian of education, blending strategic clarity with a deep sense of social responsibility. His leadership is about growth with purpose, ensuring that FE is recognised as a vital part of the education system. His team mirrors this ethos, demonstrating professionalism and a shared commitment to impact.
Eastern Education Group is deeply rooted in its region, serving as one of the largest providers of education in the country including schools, colleges, apprenticeships, higher education while building a whole-system approach to SEND education. This includes collaboration both at national and local level, piloting new models, and addressing gaps where currently “nothing exists” for SEND learners. The Group uses pioneering initiatives that combine co-design, leadership development, and innovative teaching strategies.
Growth here is not about numbers or buildings, but more about people and impact. The Group’s Higher Education and Professional development site (housed in what used to be a factory) demonstrates flexibility and creativity in using spaces to inspire learning, and fostering environments that encourage autonomy, mastery, and purpose, the three pillars of happiness and motivation the group has identified. And what is great about it is that its futuristic, flexible and impressive design was delivered by a former student, Ryan Windsor.
A tour of the group’s settings left me energised. Students radiate joy and confidence, thriving in an environment that feels like a privilege, a space where learning is not a task, but an exciting journey they are proud to be part of. From an immersive performance of Guys and Dolls, to cooking and serving us a delicious meal, to talking about their sustainability initiatives or music projects to those in engineering or construction, everyone seemed so fortunate to belong to this community of outstanding learning.
And the staff are no different. Professionalism runs through every layer of Eastern Education Group. Their commitment to parity of esteem for QTLS is evident in the way they embed accreditation and continuous professional development as core principles. QTLS and ATS are seen as part of career progression, being embedded into the group’s people policies. Staff are not only practitioners, they are champions of ETF as their professional body, actively shaping the sector by sitting on ETF national groups such as our Practitioner Advisory Group and Sustainability forums. This culture of professionalism is mirrored at the top: CEO Nikos Savvas has completed our ETF leadership programmes that reinforce his strategic vision. And there is more to do in partnership, from co-designing a model for quality of teaching and leadership in SEND to raising the profile of professionalism to local and national decision makers ensuring that professional standards evolve collaboratively and inclusively.
What struck me most is the Group’s commitment to creating positive impact outside the sector. From healthy eating and living initiatives to carbon literacy awards, the focus is on transforming communities, not just delivering qualifications. Construction training, for example, is framed not as building structures but as building futures and transforming communities.
Visiting Eastern Education Group left me with a profound sense of optimism. It's an organisation that understands its sense of place, embraces complexity, and leads with vision. In a time when education faces many challenges, Eastern Education Group offers a model of how FE can be transformative, inclusive and future-focused.