Global Banking School (GBS) has unveiled its Breaking Down Barriers report in Parliament on March 19 in London, in collaboration with The Purpose Coalition. The report highlights the institution’s commitment to transforming lives through education and expanding access to Higher Education across the UK.

With a student body of over 35,000 across its cutting-edge campuses in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds, GBS is dedicated to widening participation, addressing critical skills shortages, and fostering social mobility.

Addressing Key National Challenges

GBS offers a diverse range of sector-relevant courses tailored to tackle pressing national issues such as the housing crisis and NHS waiting times. The institution also fosters student entrepreneurship through its Entrepreneurship Team and Enterprise Hub, supporting both aspiring and existing business owners.

A Flexible Approach to Higher Education

James Kennedy, CEO of GBS, emphasised the institution’s innovative approach to Higher Education:
“As a provider of Higher Education, if you really want to extend high-quality education to groups who normally miss out, you must take a less traditional path. That’s what we do at GBS, and that’s why we have had such a profound impact in a relatively short time.”

James Kennedy highlighted the institution’s flexible class schedules, designed to accommodate mature students balancing professional and personal commitments.
“If you visit a GBS campus, the busiest time is 6pm. We offer classes on weekdays, weekends, and evenings to ensure that students can fit education into their lives, rather than the other way around.”

Strong Student Satisfaction and Recognition

The report also showcases GBS’s high student satisfaction rates, as evidenced by the 2024 National Student Survey (NSS), where 93% of students expressed satisfaction with the quality of teaching. GBS surpassed the Higher Education sector average in every category measured by the NSS.

In the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), GBS achieved:

  • Silver for Student Experience
  • Bronze for Student Outcomes
  • Overall Bronze rating

This recognition underscores GBS’s ongoing commitment to fostering a high-quality learning environment and supporting student success.

Endorsement from Education Leaders

Former Education Secretary and Chair of the Purpose Coalition, Rt Hon Justine Greening, commended GBS’s work: “This report demonstrates how GBS provides high-quality, transformative education that changes lives. It supports those who face the biggest barriers to success and helps drive both local and national economic growth.”

Nick Forbes CBE, Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, reinforced the Government’s alignment with GBS’s mission: “This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to opportunity, regardless of background. GBS’s work directly contributes to national priorities such as economic growth, building a future-ready NHS, and breaking down barriers to opportunity.” To read the full report, click here: Impact Report Final.pdf