SS&L Celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
SS&L celebrates its 10th anniversary, and what an incredible journey it’s been! Over the past decade, we’ve faced enormous challenges head-on and, in doing so, changed thousands of lives through learning. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on how far we’ve come – and how we’ve stayed true to our mission every step of the way.
Our History: From Council Service to Independent Force
SS&L’s journey is rooted in a century of public service and community education in Somerset. This proud tradition continues today!
In 2000, Adult Learning & Leisure was created through a merger of all Somerset County Council-controlled sports and leisure centres and community education departments housed within Somerset secondary schools. Seven years later, the Council externalised its sports and leisure centres into a Trust, later known as 1610.
In 2008, Adult Learning & Leisure merged with Somerset County Training, a Council department delivering apprenticeships and employability programmes for 16–19-year-olds. This created Somerset Skills & Learning – the foundation of today’s SS&L.
On the 1st of August 2015, after years of planning, SS&L became an independent Community Interest Company (CIC). This move, supported by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and Skills Funding Agency (SFA), allowed contracts to transfer from the local authority directly to SS&L – the first and only arrangement of its kind in the country!
From the start, our mission has been clear: change lives through learning. Our name may have changed, but our purpose has never altered!
Key Milestones
2015: Establishing ourselves as an independent legal entity
2016: First Ofsted inspection
2018: Navigated major funding reforms in apprenticeships
2020 / 2021: Weathering the storm of COVID-19 with agility and commitment
2022: Top for apprenticeship achievement rates in Somerset, Top 13 in the country for Community Learning participation
2023: Joint top in Somerset for apprenticeship achievement rates
2024: The launch of our first Skills Bootcamp in Early Years
2025: Continued growth in apprenticeships and 16 – 19 programmes
The Future: Still Changing Lives, Still Learning
Over the past 10 years, we’ve shown resilience, passion, and the ability to adapt and grow. The education landscape hasn’t been easy, but we’ve not only faced the challenges, we’ve thrived through them!
Looking ahead, our focus is simple:
🚀 Expand courses to meet learner needs
🌟 Keep putting learners first with a culture of excellence
🫶 Make a real difference in our communities
🪙 Stay financially strong so we can keep supporting you
By growing in the right way, we can do more of what matters most: helping people across Somerset and beyond unlock their potential through learning!
Thank you from our CEO
“Thank you to all our staff, learners, and partners for being part of this journey. Your commitment and belief in the power of learning have shaped the last 10 years and inspire everything we do. Here’s to 10 years of changing lives through learning – and to the next chapter of opportunity, ambition, and growth.”
Kathryn Baker, CEO
