College hits back over rising cuts

Principal Alun Francis

OLDHAM College is among those calling on the Government to scrap education funding cuts.

Nearly 130 further education and sixth form college chairmen have signed a letter to David Cameron warning that more cuts could tip them “over the precipice.”

They include Shaid Mushtaq, chairman of Oldham College.

All non-protected government departments have been asked to draw up savings of at least 25 per cent by Chancellor George Osborne.

Labour-commissioned research shows losing 25 per cent could wipe £1.6billion off the budget for colleges next year — on top of existing cuts.

Labour says 40 per cent of colleges could close, with further education colleges the hardest hit.

The letter to Mr Cameron warns that more cuts could permanently damage the nation’s productivity as further education colleges train more than half of 16 to 18-year-olds and provide more than half of construction, engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships.

It estimates that adult funding has already been cut by 40 per cent, which has resulted in a significant fall in the number attending college.

Colleges also receive much less than universities per student and are facing increased competition from academies, free schools and university technical colleges, adds the letter.

On top of this, pupils who leave school without C grades in GCSE maths and English are expected to attend college to do so within a year. The sector says it has received no extra funding for this.

Parlous

“We are now in a situation where the college sector as a whole was in deficit in 2013/14 and is likely to be more seriously in deficit in 2014/15 when the accounts are published,” says the letter.

“Increasing numbers of colleges face financial difficulties, with the number of colleges deemed financially inadequate rising exponentially.

“The further education commissioner recently suggested that up to 200 colleges (over 55 per cent) would be in difficulty by the end of next year.

“The college sector has not been afforded the protection offered to schools over the last six years and universities have been able to charge fees of up to £9,000.

“This parlous financial state has been caused by the impact of an accumulation of funding changes that have uniquely hit colleges.”

Oldham College says it has seen a £2.6million cut in adult funding over the last two years, along with a smaller reduction in funding for 16 to 18 year olds.

Principal Alun Francis said: “People can visibly see how we have redeveloped our campus over the last four years.

“Hidden behind the scenes is a tumultuous period in terms of funding reduction and changes to curriculum, along with a requirement to be more business-focused in the local economy.

Responded

“The governors and I believe we have responded well to these challenges both in terms of innovation and efficiencies.

“The college is in a sound position as we move forward, however the reductions in budget are serious and will mean that we have to review our operations carefully to understand how we continue to deliver for Oldham.

“This would have a significant impact on the town.”