Colleges could merge in education shake-up

The Oldham College Campus

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OLDHAM, Tameside and Stockport Colleges could merge as part of a shake-up of further education in the region.

Oldham College has confirmed that it is backing the proposal, which would create a new college for East Manchester with campuses in each town centre.

It has been drawn up as part of a review of 10 further education and 11 sixth-form colleges in Greater Manchester.

It is also proposed that every sixth form college – including Oldham Sixth Form College – remains autonomous and becomes an academy.

Greater Manchester is included in the first wave of area reviews of post-16 education which will take place across England.

The government wants “fewer, larger, more resilient and efficient” colleges with “more effective collaboration” and greater specialisation.

Oldham, Stockport and Tameside colleges are all currently rated as requiring improvement (grade three) by Ofsted.

It is hoped that the new college specialising in technical and professional education and training would be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ within two years.

Shaid Mushtaq, chairman of governors at Oldham College, said: “The review process is driven by concerns about college funding and sustainability and one important aspect of the proposal is that it addresses this issue.

“Oldham College almost closed in 2012 due to the dilapidated nature of its estate, which was the result of decades of low investment and neglect. 

“The college governors and management team have reversed that situation, building four buildings in three years, and securing over £30m of investment.

“However, during the same period the college has had seismic funding changes, losing £4 million a year in revenue. 

“This hinders further investment in staff and facilities.”

Oldham College principal Alun Francis added: “There are two very important reasons for reorganising technical and professional education and training in Oldham. 

“First, we have to find less costly ways of getting more people into high-skilled jobs. 

“Far too many young people are encouraged to do A-levels and progress to university, but obtain degrees which cost more in loans than they earn in increased income. 

“To change this, we have to improve qualifications, create more flexible routes from classroom to apprenticeships and make it easier acquire high skills, including at degree level, without unnecessary levels of personal debt.

“We need specialist centres, with genuinely specialist staff and facilities, stronger employer involvement, and collaboration across organisations.   

“Second, we have to recognise that the labour market is completely different to a generation ago. 

“The days when Oldhamers mainly worked in the local area, in one or two big industrial sectors, have gone. 

Simpler

“Future employment and business growth occurs in the wider city region and covers a range of fast changing sectors. 

“The new college proposed for East Manchester is about building a new skills system, simpler and more strategic for employers, with better opportunities for the specialist professional development of staff, and strong links to local and regional regeneration. This is best done as part of a larger organisation.”

The review is being carried out by the greater Manchester Combined Authority.

It’s recommendations are expected in June and further feasability work would would then be carried out.

Oldham Sixth Form college principal Jayne Clarke added: “There are two steering group meetings yet to take place, at which the various options proposed by colleges will become recommendations for consideration by the respective governing bodies. We are therefore unable to report on our position at this stage, since it is not yet known.

“We are positive about the future and looking forward to working even more closely with schools across Oldham, supporting outcomes and progression for young people across the town.”

Roger Grigg, regional support officer for the lecturers’ union UCU, said: “Our approach all along has been to measure any proposals against how well they ensure that curriculum access is maintained for students.

“In addition we will be looking closely at any proposals which impact on staffing levels and terms and conditions.

“It is vital that further education colleges attract and keep well motivated and qualified teaching staff.

“UCU will expect to engage with the colleges on how any proposal will affect its members.”