Troubled Stafford College in merger talks
Troubled Stafford College could be merged with another in the north of Staffordshire in a bid to turn around its fortunes.
The 'Inadequate' rated college which saw staff protests prompt the resignation of its former principal last year has confirmed it is in talks with Newcastle-under-Lyme College about joining together. It is part of the Department for Education's review into further education which launched in December.
Ian Clinton, interim principal at Stafford College said: "There is currently an Area Based Review of post-16 education covering Stoke and Staffordshire, led by the Further Education Commissioner's office involving a number of colleges, organisations and agencies.
"We can confirm Stafford College is exploring the possibility of a merger with Newcastle-under-Lyme and, whilst no decisions have yet been made regarding formal consultations, both colleges are undertaking due diligence.
"This is viewed as a very positive option for the students and staff of Stafford College, as well as the local community."
Despite the damning Ofsted report in March, college bosses declared it was not a surprise and a culmination of poor management under the previous leadership regime.
Following the publication of the report deputy principal Peter Nangle told the Express & Star that chiefs were 'happy' with the direction the college was heading in that staff were on board with changes being implemented.
The West Midlands branch of Unison, which led walkouts last year, also confirmed its members had no major issues with the way the college was being run at the moment.
Six Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent colleges are part of the Government's second wave of reviews into further education which commenced in January.
The DforE's policy paper states: "This approach aims to move towards fewer, larger, more resilient and efficient providers, and more effective collaboration across institution types. It will be important to create greater specialisation by establishing institutions that are genuine centres of expertise.
"In the longer term, the greater specialisation resulting from a review will help with the creation of a new network of prestigious Institutes of Technology.
"These new institutions will work collaboratively with other colleges and providers, including National Colleges, to deliver high standard technical and professional education at levels 3, 4 and 5."
