First Intuition comes to Exeter
Having already branched out to the Channel Islands in 2018, it was time to look at supporting the growing number of learners who were joining FI from Devon and Cornwall. We needed to be able to offer a classroom setting for learners who would otherwise be distance learners. This was a priority for the directors going into 2022, and September 2022 saw the inaugural accountancy course taking place in Exeter.
Where is First Intuition Exeter?
The Exeter location needed to be accessible and equipped to grow with FI Bristol as they increase their course offering. Therefore, the decision to work with the Future Skills Centre was an easy one.
Located by the airport, the FSC was repurposed after previously housing the Flybe Training Academy. The classroom equipment is modern and the location is fully accessible (they welcome guide dogs on site). Additionally, the canteen on the ground floor supplies hot and cold food during term time, catering for special dietary requirements as needed. Parking is ample (with 4 electric vehicle charging units). If you’re travelling via public transport then you can catch a bus from Exeter city centre to the airport, and then walk for 10 minutes to the FSC.
ICAEW courses in Exeter
Securing such an accessible location meant that attendance was high in September 2022. This showed just how in demand an established accountancy training provider was in Devon and Cornwall. The class offerings have now expanded into the Professional Level exams for 2023. Furthermore, there are plans to offer all Professional Level exams in 2024. By 2025, the full ICAEW programme, including the Advanced Level exams, will be taught in Exeter.
The First Intuition Exeter team
The Exeter classrooms are run by experienced and highly qualified tutors that have been with FI Bristol for many years. Furthermore, the course programming is organised by FI Bristol’s efficient and knowledgeable in-house operations team. This extension of the Bristol team has been key to the success of the Exeter classes so far. It has enabled the learners to experience a seamless learning journey from start to finish.
Student Success
Whilst FI Bristol looks forward to seeing exam results for the Professional Level exams being taught in Exeter this year, the results from the Bristol office speak for themselves. FI Bristol students have achieved an average pass rate of 91% across all professional papers each year since 2014. These strong results demonstrate why the FI team are experts in the delivery of ICAEW tuition.
Speaking with the Directors of FI Bristol, it’s clear that this is a big project that they are very passionate about delivering.
Graham Harbord, founding director of FI Bristol, said: “Face-to-face provision is so important to exam success. We are really enjoying delivering this to our usual high standards in Exeter.”
Founding Director, Andy Rogers, agreed, adding “We are delighted to be offering face-to-face ICAEW training to learners previously unable to access it.”
Founding Director, Jim O’Brien, summed up the mood of FI Bristol nicely, saying “I’ve loved delivering courses in Exeter. I am really looking forward to doing it more and more as we roll out our full ICAEW programme there.”
If you want to find out more about learning with FI Bristol in the Exeter location, contact Ben Morris (benmorris@fi.co.uk or exeter@fi.co.uk).
