Central is delighted to have been awarded the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark for recognition of the inclusion and success of its care experienced students. 

Central was one of four institutions to receive the mark, including Liverpool John Moores University, the University of York and the University of Sunderland. 

Central’s award marks the first time that a drama school or a small, specialist institution has been recognised with an NNECL Quality Mark. 

Of the recognition Victoria Edwards, Central’s Access and Participation Manager and the Institutional Lead for Care Leaver Support said: 

“Central is committed to providing enhanced and bespoke support to care experienced students from pre entry through to graduation, and we are incredibly proud be the first drama school and small and specialist institution to be awarded the NNECL Quality Mark.” 

Patricia Ambrose, NNECL Director, said: 

“Many congratulations to this new group of institutions achieving the Quality Mark. All have ably demonstrated their commitment to care experienced students and provided inspiring examples of the types of high quality and personalised support they provide. It is particularly encouraging to see how the framework is relevant to different types of provider, including our first award to a specialist higher education institution, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Our webinar on 12 April exploring Learning from the Quality Mark Submissions will include reflections from these new awardees on their experiences in going through the accreditation process. 

We have several other universities and colleges currently working through the Quality Mark and strongly encourage others to come forward to demonstrate the quality of their support for this under-represented group of students.” 

The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) is a community of education and other professionals working together to transform the progression of care experienced people into and through further and higher education. Our mission is to support, connect and empower the care leaver community, with the ultimate goal that more care-experienced people will be able to access and progress through further and higher education into fulfilling careers.