College merger heads for final approval

Two further education colleges could merge by January, following the completion of a public consultation.

Northampton College and Moulton College want to join forces to create one new institution, which they have said would create one of the largest further education providers in the region.

There are currently 12,000 students aged 16+ and 1,100 staff across the two colleges, both of which are rated Good by Ofsted.

The merged colleges would be known as the Northampton and Moulton Colleges Group, if final approval is granted in December.

Staff, students, employers and residents had been asked to share their views.

Jason Lancaster, principal and CEO of Northampton College, said: "It was essential that the feedback we have received during the public consultation process was properly considered alongside the detailed work that took place to understand the implications of bringing our two colleges together."

Moulton College's governors resolved an "intention to dissolve" at a meeting on Wednesday, one of the key steps needed ahead of the change.

The governors of both colleges expected to complete the final approvals to merge on 10 December.

Yultan Mellor, interim principal and CEO of Moulton College, said: "We are proud of our reputation in land-based education, and this proposed merger would provide an opportunity to build on those strengths through increased investment and greater resilience."

Current courses, apprenticeships and student support arrangements will continue to be delivered seamlessly following the merger in January, the colleges said.

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