Approval for merger of Shrewsbury's two colleges

A merger of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and Shrewsbury College is set to go ahead next month.

Following a period of public consultation and financial and legal due diligence, the merger decision has been supported by the Area Review team and endorsed by The Secretary of State.

The newly formed Shrewsbury Colleges Group will create Shropshire’s largest combined A Level and vocational education provider when the merger proceeds on 31 July, 2016.

Alison Jackson, Chair of the shadow governing body for the merged colleges, comments: “Shrewsbury is an outstanding town in which to learn and develop potential, and the excellent local schools and colleges have much to be proud of. It is great news that the governors of both Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and Shrewsbury College have decided to enter into a merger which gives us the strongest future basis to deliver high-quality post-16 education and training for the area.

“Each college will continue to have its own distinct identity because consultation has told us that these are valued, but we will also make adjustments where they will give students a better experience and better outcomes.

“The current Principals of both colleges have shown strong leadership throughout this complex process and have now taken separate decisions to move on to other challenges. This creates an opportunity for a new role of CEO/Principal of the Group, with a clear remit to develop both the academic and vocational curriculum and to build an outstanding College for the benefit of the area.”

In August Steve Wain, Principal of Shrewsbury College will be taking up a role as Principal of Swindon College while Martin Ward, Principal of Shrewsbury Sixth Form, will become an Inspector with Ofsted. An interim Principal will be appointed while the formal recruitment process is undertaken.

Michael Willmot, Vice Chair of Shrewsbury College adds: “I would like to thank Steve, Martin and everyone involved in the lengthy process which has led to the two colleges making this formal agreement – one which reflects the Government's Area Review and the need for change in the current education climate. The outcome will be a stronger, even more impressive education and training provision for students and employers in the region.”