A major milestone in creative education in the Tees Valley will take place this summer, as the Further Education campus of The Northern School of Art in Middlesbrough is renamed as The Northern College of Art.

The change, which will take effect from 1 August 2026, is subject to parliamentary approval for changes to the institution’s legal structure, and marks a significant new phase in the development of one of the region’s longest-established creative education providers.

Under the new structure, The Northern School of Art will operate as a dedicated Higher Education Corporation, focusing exclusively on undergraduate and postgraduate degree-level study at its Hartlepool campus. The Middlesbrough campus will become The Northern College of Art, continuing to deliver specialist Further Education courses for 16–19-year-olds and adult learners, alongside outreach provision including Saturday Clubs for younger students.

The new arrangements form part of the institution’s long-term strategic ambition to achieve university title and reflect the continued growth and maturity of its Higher Education provision. Establishing separate institutions will enable both Further and Higher Education provision to develop within their respective sectors while maintaining the close relationship and progression opportunities that have long been a hallmark of specialist creative education in the region.

The institution said that the new structure creates clearer identities for learners, parents/carers, schools and stakeholders, while providing a stronger platform for future growth, investment and innovation across both institutions.

The change follows a period of significant development for the School, including the achievement of Degree Awarding Powers in 2024, enabling the School to award its own degrees. While the two organisations will operate under distinct identities, they will continue to work closely together, supporting students from the earliest stages of their creative journey through to degree-level study and careers in the creative industries.

The institution has continually evolved throughout its long history in response to the changing needs of creative education and industry. Prior to becoming The Northern School of Art in 2018, the institution was known as Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD), a name still fondly recognised by many alumni and partners across the region.

Students starting in September 2026 will continue to study at the same campuses, with the same specialist facilities, expert staff and industry-focused courses.

Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith said: “The Northern School of Art is a genuine success story for the Tees Valley and shows what world-class creative education looks like.

“Paving the way for a specialist arts university locally accessible in Hartlepool will open up new learning pathways which will help build the creative skills the regional and national economy needs.

“This is exactly the kind of locally-rooted, high-quality provision needed to boost opportunities for local people and power growth across the country.”

Dr Martin Raby OBE, Principal & Chief Executive of The Northern School of Art, said: “The launch of The Northern College of Art marks an important new chapter in the institution’s long history of specialist creative education. Establishing separate Further and Higher Education institutions will provide clearer identities for students, parents and partners, while enabling both areas of provision to continue to grow and thrive within their respective sectors.

“The new structure also supports our long-term ambition to achieve university title, while maintaining the close relationship and progression opportunities that have always been central to our specialist creative offer.”

There will be no change to how the institution works with its network of schools, employers, cultural organisations and creative industry partners. These relationships will continue to support live briefs, community engagement, placements, guest lectures, collaborative projects and progression into creative careers.

Rob Kane, Vice Principal (Further Education), said: “The launch of The Northern College of Art provides a clear and distinctive identity for our Further Education provision, while retaining the specialist ethos, opportunities and creative culture that students, families and partners value so highly. We look forward to continuing to support young people and adult learners from across the region as they begin their creative journeys.”

The Middlesbrough campus will continue to offer a range of outreach activity, including Saturday Clubs for young people aged 6–15, helping to nurture creativity, confidence and aspiration from an early age.