Award winning guidance for every learner

Our Student Support team has successfully retained the prestigious Matrix Standard accreditation, demonstrating our continuous commitment to delivering the highest quality Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to every learner who walks through our doors. 
 
What is the Matrix Standard? 

The Matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), whether as their sole purpose or as part of a wider service offering. Owned by the Department for Education and managed by The Growth Company on their behalf, it sets the benchmark for best practice in student support, career guidance, and advice services across the UK and beyond. 

Achieving accreditation is no small feat. Organisations are assessed against rigorous criteria spanning strong leadership, the quality of service delivery, and a demonstrable commitment to continuous improvement. For further education colleges, holding the Matrix Standard is widely recognised as a mark of excellence in learner support. 

"This is a fantastic achievement, and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available. The Matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas." - Roger Chapman, Head of the Matrix Service, The Growth Company 

A team built around every student's needs 

Our Student Support team is one of the most diverse in the college - a group of highly skilled specialists who collectively cover almost every aspect of a student's journey with us. From the moment a prospective learner enquires about a course, to the moment they celebrate their results, there is a member of our team there to support them. That breadth of expertise is part of what makes this accreditation so meaningful. The Matrix Standard encompasses the full landscape of IAG, and our team reflects exactly that, including: 

Across these areas, the team brings together Level 6 CEIAG-qualified advisers, experienced career and pastoral leads, specialist safeguarding practitioners, and staff with backgrounds spanning NHS liaison, youth work, and community engagement. That collective expertise, and the care with which it is deployed, is precisely what the Matrix Standard auditors assessed and recognised. 

What this means for our students 

Retaining the Matrix Standard gives our students and their families an independently verified assurance that the guidance they receive here is held to the highest standards. When a learner sits down with one of our advisers to talk through their options, they can trust that the support on offer is impartial, informed, and focused on what is right for them. It also reflects our college's commitment to continuous improvement. The Matrix Standard is not a one-time award - it requires ongoing assessment and annual Continuous Improvement Checks to maintain. Holding it continuously since 2017 speaks to a consistent, long-term investment in the quality of our student support provision. 

Helen Young, Head of Student Support at Hartlepool College, said: “Retaining the Matrix Standard reflects not only the quality of our IAG offer, but our commitment to continuous development as we evolve our support to meet learners’ changing needs – I am immensely proud of what we achieve as a team.” 

We are incredibly proud of every member of the Student Support team whose dedication, professionalism, and genuine commitment to our learners have made this achievement possible.  

For more information about the Matrix Standard, visit www.matrixstandard.com.