The Northern School of Art prepares to split across the Tees Valley

The Middlesbrough campus of The Northern School of Art will officially become The Northern College of Art on August 1, subject to parliamentary approval.

This change marks a significant step in the evolution of one of the region’s longest-established creative education providers.

The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus Summer Show visitors (Image: Northern School of Art)

Dr Martin Raby OBE, principal and 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.”

The Northern School of Art staff 2022 (Image: Northern School of Art)

Under the new structure, The Northern School of Art will become a dedicated Higher Education Corporation delivering undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes from its Hartlepool campus.

The Middlesbrough campus will operate as The Northern College of Art, focusing on specialist Further Education courses for 16-19-year-olds, adult learners, and outreach activities such as Saturday Clubs for younger students.

The changes support the institution’s strategic ambition to achieve university title and build on recent milestones, including being granted Degree Awarding Powers in 2024.

Sculpture Class at CCAD Green Lane (Image: Northern School of Art)

They also reflect the institution’s growth and the maturity of its Higher Education provision.

Students who enrol in September 2026 will continue to study at the same campuses, with no changes to staff, facilities or courses.

The two institutions will retain their close working relationship, supporting students throughout their creative journeys.

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

Archive photo of fine arts students at CCAD (Image: Northern School of Art)

“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.”

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.

Student at The Northern College of Art Middlesbrough (Image: Northern School of Art)

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.”

Student at The Northern College of Art Middlesbrough (Image: Northern School of Art)

The institution has a long history of adapting to the needs of the creative sector and education landscape.

Previously known as Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD), the school became The Northern School of Art in 2018.

Existing partnerships with schools, employers, cultural organisations and creative industry partners will remain unaffected.

These relationships will continue to support live briefs, community engagement, placements, guest lectures, collaborative projects and progression into creative careers.

The Middlesbrough campus will also continue its outreach work, including Saturday Clubs for young people aged 6–15, aimed at nurturing creativity, confidence and aspiration from an early age.