Merger partner found for troubled Somerset college

Partnership aims to secure the long-term financial sustainability of Strode College

Partnership aims to secure the long-term financial sustainability of Strode College

31 Oct 2024, 17:00

More from this author

A small Somerset college in severe financial trouble due to a significant government clawback has found a merger partner.

Strode College is hoping to secure its future by partnering with Bridgwater and Taunton College (BTC) in the summer of 2025.

Strode College was put in FE Commissioner intervention last year after a government investigation into subcontracting found young adults on security and rail traineeships were made to work illegal hours by the college’s delivery partners.

A “significant” but undisclosed clawback totalling millions of pounds is now being demanded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, which has deteriorated the college’s financial health to ‘inadequate’. 

The college, judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted, hasn’t published accounts for the past two years, but it serves around 4,000 learners and had an income of less than £17 million in 2021.

The college, which has launched legal action against the subcontractors involved, cannot repay the traineeship clawback in the short to medium term, the FE Commissioner reported in April, meaning there is a threat to its long-term sustainability.

BTC is also judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted, teaches nearly 25,000 students, has an annual income of £58 million and is around a 30-minute car journey from Strode College.

The proposed merger aims to create a new group structure, allowing both BTC and Strode College to “maintain their individual culture, values, ethos, and identities while benefiting from centralised strategic support”.

‘A prosperous future for education in our region’

A spokesperson said that both boards of governors have unanimously agreed to pursue this merger, which is subject to due diligence and final approval from the education secretary.

The “collaborative framework” put forward will “provide the resources and capacity to improve student experiences, offer enhanced opportunities for staff, employers, and the wider community, and ensure financial sustainability for both institutions”, according to the colleges.

Staff and students have been told it is “business as usual” at both institutions while due diligence takes place, with no immediate changes to day-to-day operations, roles, or responsibilities.

Strode College principal John Revill said: “We look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders throughout this transformative process and working together to shape a prosperous future for education in our region.” 

Andy Berry, principal of Bridgwater and Taunton College, added: “By bringing together two high-performing colleges, we can strengthen the educational landscape for the communities we serve. Our collective capabilities will enable us to unlock new opportunities for students, employers, and staff alike.”

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Supporting the UK’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan Through Skills

The UK Government’s Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain strategy sets a legally binding path towards a net-zero transport...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Project power: ASDAN expands its qualifications portfolio

From 2026, ASDAN’s planned Foundation and Higher Project Qualifications will sit alongside its Extended Project Qualification[CM1] , creating a complete...

Advertorial
ATAs

Spotlight on excellence: Nominations now open for the Apprenticeship & Training Awards 2026

Nominations are open for the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards, celebrating outstanding employers and providers with national recognition, a...

FE Week Reporter
Sponsored post

Funding Adult Green Skills

New sources of funding are available to finance the delivery of green skills to all learners. Government policy is...

Tyler Palmer

More from this theme

Colleges

Principals scratch their heads over new improvement teams

FE leaders warn Labour’s regional improvement teams risk duplicating oversight already performed by the FE Commissioner

Josh Mellor
Colleges

Weston freed of ‘traumatic’ NTI – but finance probe continues

College out of intervention after strengthening governance procedures

Anviksha Patel
Colleges, Skills reform

Skills England urged to confront government on FE funding

Joint AoC and UUK report also calls for 'excessive' competition to be challenged

Josh Mellor
Colleges

LSEC reveals civic rebrand

London academies and college group unveils new umbrella brand to 'emphasise role as anchor institution'

FE Week Reporter

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

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