North Shropshire College: A-levels to return to Oswestry after Ludlow merger
North Shropshire College will re-introduce A-levels for students at its Oswestry campus next year, it has been revealed.
The development comes as its long-awaited merger with Herefordshire and Ludlow College was officially signed off yesterday.
The merger makes it a £27 million institution, and the largest college in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin.
The college says the merger will resolve its debt burden and also means a backlog of maintenance work can be tackled at Oswestry and at its Walford campus, Baschurch.
The new body - named Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College - has 6,000 full time equivalent students and apprentices.
In 2016 NSC stopped offering A-levels in favour of vocational courses and apprenticeships.
But next year A-levels will be back at the Oswestry campus, meaning students in the town will be able to choose between NSC and The Marches.
The new college will be governed by Hereford & Ludlow College’s board, boosted by representatives from North Shropshire.
It includes a large vocational campus in Hereford, a land-based campus and farm at Holme Lacy, near Hereford, a sixth form college at Ludlow, and its apprenticeship arm, County Training.
Economies of scale
Principal, Ian Peake, said the newly created college will be able to offer a rich, diverse curriculum and training opportunities throughout Shropshire and Herefordshire.
“The larger £27 million institution will also benefit from economies of scale, reducing running costs so the highest possible proportion of its income will be directed to teaching and the support of students,” he said.
The merger has been supported by a government funding package provided by the Transactions Unit of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, with the agreement of the Department of Education and Treasury.
Mr Peake said: “Transition funding will support the long-term financial sustainability of NSC’s campuses at Oswestry and Walford, Baschurch.
"The substantial settlement will resolve NSC’s debt burden, fund a cost reduction programme and facilitate backlog maintenance work to enhance both campuses.”
He said as the largest college in the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership area it was now well positioned to lever further revenue and capital funds for the benefit of its 6,000 full-time-equivalent students and apprentices.
Strengthen
The chairs of both North Shropshire College and Hereford & Ludlow College boards jointly stated: “It has been a pleasure for us and our fellow board members to work together in partnership to prepare for this merger that is fully supported by both college’s governing bodies – a merger that will strengthen and improve both colleges and confer considerable advantage to our students.”
Mr Peake added: “I am delighted that after many months of careful preparation this merger has happened.
“This is a very significant development that will greatly enhance the curriculum offer at North Shropshire College, particularly with the reintroduction of A-level programmes in 2019, and the overall student experience.
“I am extremely grateful to Mr Paterson MP, the Transactions Unit, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, college governors and management for their ongoing support.”
