North Shropshire College merger could be back on the cards
A college merger could be on the cards again as early as next month, bosses have revealed.
North Shropshire College had been in talks with Reaseheath College in Nantwich for over a year.
But, due to a lack of funds, a merger deal was called off at the last minute, back in August.
Discussions with other education bodies began immediately and colleges in the local area have expressed an interest in merging, bosses said today.
A meeting will take place in December to decide if further plans will be put in place or if the college will remain on its own.
Interim principal Ian Clinton said: “The Reaseheath situation was disappointing and also for the staff who had put so much effort in.
“But after it, we sat down and looked at a way forward to explore the possibility of another merger.
“We have been in talks with a number of colleges in the surrounding area and we have had a number of interested parties.
“They will be invited to come in and speak to the governing body and then we will look towards the next stage and see if we will go for another merger.”
Mergers are occurring all across the country in a bid by colleges to save costs.
Mr Clinton, who was appointed in August, insisted a merger was not essential to the long term future of the college.
However a merger would provide savings and a better quality of education to the students.
He added: “A merger is not essential at all and we have to decide if that is the route we want to go down. But it does give you flexibility in terms of specialist teachers, new technology, and the standard of the courses we can offer.
“You only need one principal and it is cost effective while at the same time improving standards. For example a large college buying 100 computers will get a better deal than a smaller one buying 20.”
