College Merger Approved
Having completed the feasibility studies and consulted widely, a merger proposal between Derby College and South East Derbyshire College was submitted to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills in November 2009 and has now been approved.
On 15 February 2010 South East Derbyshire College will be dissolved and all of its educational facilities, services and staff will be transferred to Derby College.
David Croll, the current Principal and Chief Executive of Derby College, will lead the newly merged college which will operate under the Derby College banner.
The newly merged college will continue to operate from SEDC’s existing sites in Ilkeston and Heanor and from Derby College’s other five sites located in Derby and Derbyshire. Meanwhile, an estates and learning review is being undertaken to ensure learners benefit from the best facilities for their chosen courses.
Graham Bolton, Chair of Governors of South East Derbyshire College, said, “Since becoming Chair of Governors of SEDC almost three years ago my fellow Governors and I have been actively seeking ways to improve opportunities for learners in the Amber Valley and Erewash areas. Naturally I am delighted that we are to become part of Derby College. I firmly believe that this will bring both short term and long term benefits to students.”
South East Derbyshire College Acting Principal, Phil Fone, said: “The merged College will secure the future of further education in the Amber Valley and Erewash areas.
“Young people and adults in our local area will benefit from a wider choice of high quality further education and the merged College will provide even greater support and training opportunities for businesses and organisations.
“The merger will build on the strengths of both Colleges and enable everyone to share good practice and maximise the use of modern technologies to enhance the needs of learners both today and in the future.”
Derby College Principal, David Croll, continued: “Our shared vision for the merger was to transform further education in Derby and Derbyshire – raising participation, attainment and the skills levels of young people and adults.
“Both colleges have an excellent reputation and particular individual strengths which we can now combine to provide an extensive range of high quality learning opportunities to young people across a wider area and first class training and support to businesses and organisations - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.”
Brian Powell, Chair of Derby College Corporation said “I am delighted to welcome South East Derbyshire College to join the on-going success of Derby College. Since Derby College was formed in 2002 from the three-way merger between Broomfield College, Derby Tertiary College: Wilmorton and Mackworth College Derby we have grown from strength to strength and look forward to continued success.”
Mary Rogers, Senior Account Director designate for the Skills Funding Agency, commented: “The LSC and its successor bodies will be working with the merged college to ensure that the needs of learners, employers, and their communities can be effectively met with the delivery of high quality learning.”