College bid is scrapped

A multi-million pound plan to merge Dudley and Stourbridge colleges and create a 'super college' has been scrapped.

Only last month both colleges announced the £100 million pound merger, to create a college bigger than those in some cities, was set to go ahead next August.

But bosses at Stourbridge College today confirmed the plans have been ditched.

They say it is because its Dudley counterpart wants to focus on an Ofsted re-inspection following a damning inspection earlier this year.

It also said the colleges could not agree on who should be appointed principal of the new 'super college.'

If the scheme had gone ahead it is believed the learning centre would have ranked among the top 10 in the country.

Chairman of Stourbridge College, Rosemary Slater, said: "The colleges were unable to reach an agreement on the appointment of the principal of the merged college.

"It became clear the immediate focus for Dudley College was to appoint a principal to take forward their re-inspection ambitions. Unfortunately, this move effectively rules out any merger plans."

Stourbridge College says it now wants to concentrate on becoming an 'outstanding' teaching establishment following its Ofsted inspection which rated it good.

Mrs Slater added: 'Even though there will be no formal merger, both colleges are fully committed to working together to deliver first class further education services locally.

"Stourbridge College – officially declared good by Ofsted – will be concentrating on its aim to become outstanding, providing the best quality education and training for learners and employers in the area."

Principal of Dudley College Lowell Williams said: "We would have focused on the re-inspection anyway and I don't think the merger would have had any impact on that."