Published 21st August 2025
Inspire College is celebrating our fantastic GCSE success, with an overall re-sit pass rate of 44% for English and 57% for maths.
This is an amazing increase on last year’s pass rate of 50% in maths and 25% in English, and the results are well above the national average resit pass rates of 17.1% in maths, and 20.9% in English.
Most Inspire College candidates failed or achieved a grade 3 (equivalent to a Grade ‘D’ in the old marking system) in their previous years of education, and some did not attend school. Some face difficult barriers to learning such as learning difficulties, disabilities, anxiety, and social and emotional issues, and many are still feeling the disruptions to their education caused by COVID in the past.
Inspire College is currently enrolling school leavers and young people aged 16-19 across their Nottinghamshire bases to a fantastic number of inspiring courses.
The college, part of Nottinghamshire’s Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, not only offers qualifications for young people aged 16-19, but focuses on gaining key skills for life – including the opportunity to re-sit GCSEs or work towards a recognised Maths and English qualification. So, for those who didn’t get the grades this year, Inspire College can provide support in resits.
The excellent results come after a fantastic Ofsted inspection in June 2023, where Inspire Learning was once again rated ‘Good’, solidifying its reputation as a high-quality education provider in Nottinghamshire, with inspectors commenting on the calm, inclusive environment for learners.
Inspectors found that learners at Inspire College enjoyed their studies and the small class sizes they study in, and that learners develop substantial new subject knowledge, and develop their personal skills and confidence so they can progress to further studies or work.
The varied programme is offered by Inspire College from eight specialist centres across the county in Mansfield, Newark, Hucknall, Eastwood, Stapleford, Worksop, Retford, and from the new Inspire High Pavement Learning Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield. The new centre, officially opening for Inspire College students last September, features state of the art learning facilities, and serves as a hub for learning for both adults and young people in the heart of Ashfield.
Inspire College was also shortlisted for the Outstanding GCSE Resits Provision at the 2020 TES Further Education Awards, with previous re-sit pass rates scoring well above the national average.
Learning opportunities within Inspire College for learners starting this September include:
- Level 2 Digital Promotion for Business course, running at the Mansfield base
- AIM Awards Level 1 and 2 Employability qualifications, including Customer Service and Hospitality
- NCFE CACHE Award in Caring for a Child/Children (Level - Entry 3)
- Aim Awards Level 1 and 2 in Personal and Social Development
- NCFE CACHE Health and Social Care Awards Level 1 and 2
- City & Guilds Level 1 in Hospitality
- AIM Level 1 and 2 in Bricklaying and Construction
- AIM Awards Level 1 and 2 Carpentry and Joinery
- Level 1 in Sport
- Traineeships in a range of professional industries
- Work preparation and employability skills, alongside a maths and English qualification.
Inspire College’s learners also have the opportunity to go on trips, volunteer with local projects, and gain key interpersonal and confidence skills alongside their studies.
More information on courses, locations and enrolling can be found on our website or you can speak to their Learning team by calling 0115 804 3611 or emailing learning@inspireculture.org.uk
I’m so proud of myself, as I’ve passed my GCSEs after years of trying in school. I think for me Inspire has really helped because it gives students the chance to get the qualifications they need to move forward. I passed with the help of all of the teachers, who are so supportive, and because it’s a smaller group, they have more time to focus on you and help you to build up your skills and your confidence. The GCSE teacher was amazing and really supportive - they definitely give you the chance to do your best and I’m just so proud that I’ve put the work in and passed.
Next I’m thinking of doing my A-Level in teaching. Everywhere expects you nowadays to have these qualifications and I wouldn’t be able to do my A-Level without my GCSE in English.
I am absolutely delighted that the hard work of our learners has paid off with these excellent results. I know how much this means to each one of them and to the dedicated team of tutors who have helped make this success a reality. Well done to everyone!
I’m delighted to see our GCSE resit results back on the rise in 2025 and as a former English teacher myself, I know how much effort everyone at Inspire College gives to make this happen. Most of all, I am thrilled that so many of our young people have been rewarded for their own persistence and hard work, gaining a qualification that is sure to have a positive effect on their futures. Congratulations to you all!
