Dorset merger on the cards to secure future of struggling college

Kingston Maurward College in talks to join Weymouth College

Kingston Maurward College in talks to join Weymouth College

A cash-strapped land-based college in Dorset is considering a merger to secure its long-term survival.

Kingston Maurward College is in discussions to join Weymouth College off the back of a recent FE commissioner-led review.

A joint statement from the principals involved said the plan is for each college to “retain its own identity”, but under a larger corporate structure which will “make both colleges and the group more financially resilient”. The pair are aiming for a merger date of August 2024.

Kingston Maurward College has been put in and out of formal government intervention multiple times since 2015 for deteriorating financial performance. The land-based college, which is set in 750 acres of farmland, parkland, gardens and a conservation area near Dorchester, suffered a big hit to its commercial income during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

The college is still yet to publish accounts for 2021/22 but previous financial statements showed an anticipated deficit of £1.3 million by the end of July 2022, and an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) deficit of £234,000. The college’s cash resources were also “at the lowest level”.

Kingston Maurward is also currently locked in a dispute over off-the-job training evidence with the Education and Skills Funding Agency which could force it to repay £850,000 in apprenticeship funding.

The college has not received any emergency bailout funding to help it stay afloat from the government so far, but principal Luke Rake admitted this was “likely to be necessary” this financial year because of inflationary pressures.

Merger will make both colleges ‘more financially resilient’

Asked whether Kingston Maurward’s survival is in doubt if the merger with Weymouth does not go ahead, Rake said: “The provision? No – the need for land-based provision in one of England’s most rural counties is a given, and the strategic value of this and the site as well is recognised by everyone. The corporation? Maybe – it would need to be considered as part of a wider costs review by the Department for Education.”

He added: “At this stage though, closure is nowhere near the table and we are all, including the DfE and FE commissioner, committed to finding the best solution for the county.”

Weymouth College has experienced its own financial difficulties in recent years. It was handed a financial notice to improve in 2020, but had it lifted in August 2022.

Julia Howe, principal of Weymouth College, said: “We believe that this place-based solution [merger], providing education, skills and training across rural and coastal Dorset will deliver a cohesive and high-performing offer across many sectors for our local and regional communities.”

Weymouth College teaches over 2,800 students while Kingston Maurward has around 1,000. The colleges, both rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, are located around 10 miles apart.

Rake said the idea of a Dorset college group has been floated several times over the past decade. A public consultation on the plan is expected to launch in the spring.

Latest education roles from

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Dodd Partners

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Reshaping the New Green Skills Landscape

The UK government is embarking on a transformative journey to reshape its skills landscape, placing a significant emphasis on...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace targets harassment and misconduct in education 

In an era where safeguarding and compliance are firmly in the spotlight, education providers face a growing responsibility: to...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Screening for the cognitive needs of apprentices is essential – does it matter if the process is engaging?

Engagement should be the first priority in cognitive assessment. An engaging assessment is an inclusive assessment — when cognitive...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Skills Bootcamps Are Changing – What FE Colleges Must Know 

Skills Bootcamps are evolving as funding moves to local control and digital skills trends shift. Code Institute, an Ofsted...

Code Institute

More from this theme

Colleges

Finding Governors for Schools… and now FE too

Governors for Schools will now run the FE governor recruitment service for DfE

Anviksha Patel
Colleges

£1.5m loan plea triggers intervention for South Devon College

The college's CEO says his organisation 'remains on the front foot'

Josh Mellor
Colleges, Pay

AoC delays pay recommendation until September

Colleges need summer to work new £160m funding into budgets, David Hughes says

Anviksha Patel
Colleges

WCG sells contentious campus after High Court win 

The proceeds will be used to pay off debts from an ongoing government funding audit

Josh Mellor

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *