Stafford College merges with Newcastle-under-Lyme College

joshua

Well-Known Forumite
STAFFORD College has confirmed it has formally merged with Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC).

The news comes as the corporation of Stafford College formally dissolved at 00:01am this morning, Tuesday, November 1, 2016, with all assets transferring to NULC. The newly merged group name is Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG).

Both colleges will retain their individual name and branding, local identity and educational characteristics whilst bringing individual strengths and assets to the partnership.

Karen Dobson, principal and chief executive at NULC, and newly appointed principal and chief executive of NSCG said: "By bringing the two colleges together, we will be looking to exploit economies of scale, share best practice and build upon our collective strengths to deliver the vision: to be the college of first choice, where staff and students are proud to work and study.

"We will take a moment today to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of both institutions and then it will be back to business as usual – providing outstanding education and training to the communities we serve."

The merger creates one of the largest educational providers in Staffordshire, supporting over 5,500 full-time students, over 3,000 part-time students, 750 students on higher education programmes and over 2,500 apprentices.

Lesson delivery and the day-to-day running of courses will not be impacted as a result of the merger.

The newly formed group will employ over 1,000 staff and has a combined turnover in the region of £45million, including NULC subsidiaries, Gradbach Limited and Axia Solutions Limited.

George Stonier, chair of governors, said: "The merger follows an intense period of planning, public consultation and legal due diligence, which has culminated in the two institutions coming together with a newly formed corporation, board of governors and a single senior management team which will be under the strong leadership of Karen Dobson who has an excellent track-record as principal and chief executive of NULC.

"This is the start of a new era for education in Staffordshire, and an exciting time for us all. Our newly formed, more resilient organisation will bring benefits not only to students, but to local businesses and the economy as a whole."
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Let's hope that this is a good move for Stafford College. It has always had areas of excellence and deserves to be outstanding across the board.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Another bit of Stafford chipped away.

The hospital, the university, the courts, the bus station, the FE college.... I wonder what will be next?
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rudie111

Well-Known Forumite
Email has gone out looking for voluntary redundancies. Nursery going through the process of being sold
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Yup, we knew it was coming but the scale has people concerned. The numbers speak for themselves though unfortunately, recruitment in Stafford is down yet again and less students means less money. Doesn't help that all 19+ students now need loans so are less likely to come, the money received for 16-18 year olds has been repeatedly cut back over the last 5 years and more students are now happy to travel out of town each day.

Sad times :(
 

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
I've never studied at Stafford college and I don't know many people that have. However, i hope it can be turned around. It looks from the outside as a very attractive and pleasant college campus and I've been a regular visitor to the college restaurant, which is absolutely fantastic.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
I've never studied at Stafford college and I don't know many people that have. However, i hope it can be turned around. It looks from the outside as a very attractive and pleasant college campus and I've been a regular visitor to the college restaurant, which is absolutely fantastic.
I did my A levels there back in the day and had a great time. We regularly go to the restaurant, which as you say is brilliant.

Stafford needs the College and hopefully the staff that are left and the new management structure can restore it to the quality place it used to be. Will take some time and bloody hard work on everyone's part though, I should think.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I also studied there many years ago, now I work there. It's going to be a hard few years, but I'll be honest I doubt we'd have a college in the next few years without the merger. 10% less students means 10% less funding, which means 10% less staff as we have no surplus to smooth it out. Every time we reduce staff we reduce courses offered, which results in less students the following year.

It ain't good, but it is what it is. Our government don't like spending money on education, further education may soon go the way of higher education and be entirely self funding. The college is a business and the students are our customers, whether they pay directly or the government subs them it can't exist without cashflow.

As for the restaurant, top notch! Went on Tuesday for burns night, was amazing as always.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Don't worry , I'm sure the Beaconside China men will take up the slack....After all its got the backing of our local MP
 
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