A public consultation has now opened to gather views on a proposed merger of Great Yarmouth College, Lowestoft College and Lowestoft Sixth Form College.
The vision set out by the three colleges is to create a new, three-campus institution, under the name ‘East Coast Colleges Group’. This would see each campus maintain its name, individual strengths and specialisms, but come together under one new, overarching organisation.
This proposed merger is as a result of the three colleges participating in a pioneering area review in 2015. This was designed to identify the opportunities and challenges faced by those delivering post-16 education in the local area and to address ways to protect and enhance the provision available.
The discussions raised through the review have led to the proposal to create a combined college group. It is proposed that the merger would result in the colleges being better equipped to deliver a full range of vocational and traditional academic courses, with integrated degree level opportunities, while maintaining a more solid financial footing at a time when public funding is under increasing pressure.
The overall aim is to preserve and expand the excellent academic offer of Lowestoft Sixth Form College and the much-valued technical and professional education and training of both Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Colleges. By coming together the colleges will be able to capitalise on their individual strengths and become more resilient, and better able to face the challenges ahead. The attached consultation document sets out in more detail the background to the proposal, the reasons for the merger and the benefits and opportunities available.
They believe this proposal offers Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth a forward-thinking plan which addresses the needs of local students, parents and employers, and which will act as a catalyst for local and regional economic prosperity. Now we would like to give you the opportunity to have your say. We want to work together to shape the best possible future for our colleges, and for all those who depend on them for a great future.
Your views are extremely important to them and will be given full consideration before any final decisions are made by the colleges. They would welcome your responses to the following questions:
- Do you agree that by merging, the three colleges will be able to more effectively meet the needs of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft’s students, communities and employers?
- If ‘yes’, what specific advantages can you see?
- If ‘no’, please indicate what you see as the potential disadvantages
- Are there any areas that you would particularly wish to see addressed through the merger, e.g. local needs that are inadequately represented under current arrangements?
- How might you or your organisation be involved in or support this merger?
- Are there any other comments you would like us to take into consideration?
Please submit your responses using the online feedback form.
Alternatively you are welcome to email your responses to [email protected] or write to them at: East Coast Colleges Group Consultation, C/O FOUR Agency, Hill House, 20 Hill House Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 4BE.
The deadline for responses is 5pm on Friday 19 February 2016.
