ANS Academy earns Ofsted ‘strong standard’ rating

ANS Academy has become the first apprenticeship provider to receive a "strong standard" across all categories under Ofsted's new assessment framework.

The academy operates as part of the digital transformation company ANS. Ofsted assessed the provider across inclusion, leadership and governance, achievement, curriculum and teaching, and participation and development.

The inspection report said the academy works closely with employers and other stakeholders. It highlighted its commitment to "collaborating with a wide network of stakeholders to understand what specific skills employers need".

The academy runs apprenticeship training in technology roles. ANS said demand for digital skills continues to rise across the UK.

Employer links

Inspectors also cited ANS's "Academy-as-a-Service" offer, which provides apprenticeship training to other employers, including ANS partners and customers. ANS launched the service in 2024.

The service covers skills areas including Infrastructure, Cyber, DevOps, and AI. ANS positions the offer as a way for employers to develop their own talent pipeline.

Krystal Marchant, Business Customer Support Manager at TrustFord, described the service experience. "Working with ANS Academy has been an excellent experience. The high-quality training has strengthened our two apprentices' confidence, skills and professionalism, enabling them to make a positive impact on our support desk from day one. They are now valued team members who contribute effectively and consistently, and they are thriving in their roles," said Marchant.

Culture and support

Ofsted also pointed to the academy's approach to wellbeing and inclusion. The report noted that the culture fosters "a strong sense of support and belonging".

ANS said apprentices have access to Power Skills workshops and an AI-focused curriculum. It also said apprentices can use dedicated support networks for LGBTQ+ people, neurodiversity, menopause and mental health.

Ash Brookes, IT Tech Analyst Apprentice at ANS, set out what the programme meant for him as a career changer. "ANS Academy has given me the opportunity to enter the tech industry at 30. I've always been interested in tech, but finding a way into the industry felt almost impossible until ANS's apprenticeship programme. The Academy has helped me develop both my technical knowledge and academic skills, giving me everything I need to succeed in my career and make a real impact within my team," said Brookes.

The Ofsted report also highlighted mentoring and training plans. It said structured support reduces "barriers to apprentices' learning and well-being". ANS said trainers deliver advanced topics and align teaching with sector needs.

Performance data

ANS launched the academy in 2013. It said the programme has supported 247 apprentices in starting tech careers.

The company also reported an overall achievement rate of 98% in 2024. It compared that with a national average of 61%.

Expansion plans

ANS said it plans to expand the academy in 2026 with a renewed focus on AI development. It said this will include AI bootcamps and a new Level 4 DevOps apprenticeship.

ANS has also recently been named Microsoft's UK Partner of the Year. The company is headquartered in Manchester and provides services across cloud, data, security, business applications, and low-code. It operates five IL3-accredited data centres in Manchester and partners with technology providers including Microsoft, AWS, VMware, and Cisco.

Richard Thompson, CEO of ANS, described the result as a marker of consistency under the new inspection approach.

"The Ofsted assessment reflects the quality and commitment at the heart of our ANS Academy. As the first apprenticeship provider to achieve such consistently strong results under the new framework, the Academy's continued success is a real testament to our focus on developing the next generation of technology talent. As we expand our focus on AI, the Academy plays a critical role in developing high-calibre talent at pace, equipping our people with the skills needed to adopt and apply emerging technologies responsibly. This approach strengthens our position as a Frontier Firm and helps shape a more resilient, future-ready UK technology workforce," said Thompson.