Business as usual says North Shropshire College head

Ian Clinton OBE has said the future of North Shropshire College in Oswestry is secure despite a merger with Reaseheath College falling through last month.

“Everyone who had put so much work into the merger was disappointed because it all fell through at the last minute but things didn’t seem to be quite right,” he said. “We don’t need to merge with another college, it’s not necessary for our future, but we will explore the options.

“I think ultimately it fell through for a number of reasons. It costs money and they funding that was originally offered by the government was not enough to make it worthwhile.

“There needs to be some benefits for both colleges because there’s so much work involved with a merger.

The experienced principal, who has led many colleges to success over the last two decades, has been in his new post for a week now and is settling into life on the Shropshire border.

“Oswestry is a great town with a good atmosphere,” he said. “My plan is to work closely with local businesses because I think we have a responsibility to ensure these small businesses thrive and help them, whether that be through apprentices or something else. I also want to see what new courses we can put on and really focus on our strengths. I will be disappointed if we don’t have another 10 per cent of students passing their exams next year.”

Mr Clinton also welcomed plans to build 600 homes on the edge of Oswestry. Last year J Ross Developments submitted a planning application to build the deveolopment on 24 hectares of land near the college.

He said: “Building is of course a good thing for the college. Hopefully a lot of new families will move in and eventually the children would come along to the college. “We have between two and three thousand part-time and full-time students this year and despite this being the first year we’re not offering A-Levels, so far the applications are up on last year. I think there is a tinge of regret to stop the A-Levels because the last results were so good but we’ve got to move on now.

In 2015, Mr Clinton was awarded with an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for transforming Blackburn College.

“When I was at Blackburn within three years I got it to “outstanding”. I get a buzz out of changing people’s lives for the better. “I see North Shropshire College as a college that has improved but still requires some improvement – and we will do that.”