7036.03.18 for the future vision our

MERGER PROPOSAL Consultation Document Consultation our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG Foreword

This document presents our exciting vision for the future of Bilborough Sixth Form College and College as a single further and higher education group delivering education and skills training for its communities through its constituent colleges, to be created through our proposal. In the proposed merger would be the continuing legal entity through its corporation, with a proposed change of corporation name from Derby College Corporation to DCG (see page 2) with effect from the merger date.

Bilborough Sixth Form College undertook a As an established general further and higher education comprehensive strategic review (Structure and Prospects provider offering the broadest range of provision to Appraisal) in the summer of 2017, the purpose of which students of all ages, Derby College recognises the was to confirm a sustainable long-term solution and strength that Bilborough Sixth Form College would where appropriate identify a suitable merger partner. bring to its group and is confident that a joining will Bilborough Sixth Form College specified that the solution bring immense benefits to the communities of Derby, would be to facilitate the retention of its identity, its , and . location within its community and sustain the quality and nature of the sixth form college experience for This document sets out the context of the proposal and which Bilborough Sixth Form College is renowned. the rationale for the merger with the perceived benefits At the same time, that partnership had to demonstrate and opportunities for students, parents, employers, staff good financial health to support Bilborough Sixth Form and the wider community. It also seeks to draw informed College’s future sustainability. comment from our stakeholders.

In addition, Bilborough Sixth Form College sought Our intention is to merge Derby College and Bilborough a partner that could help the College take advantage Sixth Form College with the constituent colleges of new opportunities such as developing technical continuing to operate under their existing brands and pathways, in line with Government priorities, that local identities. would bring additional benefits to its existing students and would support greater engagement with its Our aim is to improve the educational opportunities for local community. the communities our colleges serve as well as securing a stronger financial future for the combined Group.

Janet Morgan Eileen Hartley Chair, Derby College Chair, Bilborough Sixth Form College

1 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG Who we are

Bilborough Sixth Form College was founded in Derby College operates under the brand name of 1975 on the site of former Bilborough Grammar School. Derby College Group or DCG and is referred to as DCG It is a publicly funded sixth form college located on the throughout this proposal. Derby College was formed west side of Nottingham. It moved into its current, purpose- in 2002 as a result of a three-way merger between built campus in 2005. It currently has 1,620 16-18 year-old Mackworth and tertiary colleges and land- students (comprising 1,618 full time students and 2 part based college Broomfield Hall. In 2010, a merger was time students) on individual programmes of study centred undertaken, which saw the former South East Derbyshire around either A Levels, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas or a College join the Group. The Group currently operates out combination of the two. Approximately 80% of its students of four college campuses across Derby and Derbyshire, go on to university. Of these a large proportion progress has a turnover of around £48 million and provides to research-intensive universities such as the Russell employment for nearly 1,300 people. Its closest campus Group and the remainder into higher-level apprenticeships, is only 5 miles away from Bilborough Sixth Form College. employment or further training. DCG is one of ’s largest groups with more The College was judged to be ‘Good’ in all respects than 20,000 students. These include 14 to 16-year-old by Ofsted during its last inspection in September students who attend vocational and technical courses, 2016. Ofsted stated that ‘students are proud of their full time students aged 16 to 19 on a wide range of achievements and are articulate and self-confident. A level, vocational and technical programmes, higher They are respectful of each other and, as a result, the education students, mature and part time students, College offers a welcoming and inclusive environment apprentices, work-based students and those adults in which students feel happy and safe.’ wanting to learn for leisure.

The Group currently includes: • The Joseph Wright Centre – Post-16 Academic and Arts College. • Broomfield Hall – Land-based and Leisure College. • The Roundhouse –Technical and Professional Skills College, including Construction and Engineering. •  Campus – Technical Skills College. • St James Centre – providing literacy, numeracy and ESOL for adults in the community. • Little Explorers – a forest school nursery. • A limited company, MBS Limited, which provides a conference and events service under the brand of Roundhouse Events. • Commercial training under the brand of Roundhouse Thinking. • Roundhouse Recruitment, a job agency to help students find full and part-time employment. • Corporate College providing education and skills services to business.

2 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG What is the

DCG was graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features. Proposal? Its work with employers was recognised as ‘Outstanding’ and provision for students with high needs was graded as ‘Outstanding’ at its latest Ofsted inspection. Our proposal is for a merger of Bilborough Sixth Form College with DCG, whereby the property, DCG works in partnership with around 3,000 employers. rights and liabilities of Bilborough Sixth Form This work includes programmes to bridge the gap College would transfer to DCG on 1 January between education and the workplace and manage all 2019 and Bilborough Sixth Form College students onto positive destinations. corporation would immediately thereafter dissolve. The constituent colleges will retain their current names and identities, which have strong value within the communities they serve. Bilborough Sixth Form College students who have not completed their courses on the merger date will be able to continue their courses of study on the same campus as planned.

Change of name of Derby College Corporation to DCG

It is proposed that the name of Derby College Corporation would formally change to DCG with effect from the merger date.

3 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG Why should Bilborough Sixth Form College merge with DCG?

Based on the outcome of the strategic review undertaken in the summer of 2017 Bilborough Sixth Form College governors reached the conclusion that DCG was most likely to meet the Bilborough Sixth Form College key objectives. The anticipated benefits to Bilborough Sixth Form College of the proposed merger are that it will allow the College to:

• Maintain its local presence, culture, identity and strong reputation. • Secure financial strength and sustainability. • Maintain and further develop high quality student experience and outcomes. • Build on a broad curriculum offer to further strengthen the range of provision, for example the proposed ‘T levels’. • Provide access to high quality corporate services. • Enable flexibility to shape the curriculum offer to meet the local, regional D2N2 Local Economic Partnership (LEP). • Provide enhanced opportunities for students and staff through a wider learning community. • Offer the opportunity for local community learning through career advancement programmes as well as learning for leisure. • Address the D2N2 LEP Area Based Review recommendation. • Support the ethos of the Nottingham/Derby Metro Strategy.

The merger is expected to be extremely beneficial to both institutions. Bilborough Sixth Form College will be able to retain its successful local identity and realise its ambitions for future stability and growth. DCG will be able to utilise expertise and specialisms across the region to benefit a wider group.

4 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG What will be the benefits of the proposal?

There are a number of benefits that will be achieved students progress to higher education with many gaining through a merger between the two organisations. places at highly selective universities” and “the College has Bilborough Sixth Form College will become part of an inclusive culture in which students with diverse identities the DCG family. The enlarged group would have a feel welcome and safe. They show respect and tolerance ‘Good’ financial health rating and the capacity to towards each other.” invest in provision. The merger will create a stronger, more resilient group organisation that will be more High quality teaching and learning will remain a priority sustainable in the context of challenging times for for investment and development throughout the Group. the education sector. Enhanced Student Experience High Quality Education offer Under the proposed arrangements, there are considerable In March 2016, Ofsted inspected and awarded DCG benefits for students in the D2N2 LEP region. Enhanced with a ‘Good’ overall grading with ‘Outstanding’ features. support for Bilborough Sixth Form College to enable the Employer Engagement was recognised as ‘Outstanding’ continuity of an excellent and distinct offer, which the and Provision for Students with High Needs was graded below examples support: ‘Outstanding’. Ofsted judged the curriculum to be strategically planned and responsive, meeting local needs, • Increased access to staff expertise in highly including those identified by the D2N2 LEP. Of note is the specialist areas will be available to enhance positive recognition given by Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, in existing programmes. his final annual report of 2016, highlighting the partnerships Greater access to specialist facilities to formed by DCG with employers. DCG’s residential • enhance and enrich the learning experience. accommodation at Broomfield Hall was judged as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2014, and the Group’s nursery • Growth of new curriculum areas to meet provision – Little Explorers – was graded as ‘Outstanding’ employer and student needs in the region. by Ofsted at their last inspection in November 2016. • Enhanced links to businesses and work Ofsted’s findings complement other formal assessments. experience through prestigious local and The Group’s growing HE provision was praised by the national employers already working in Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education following partnership with DCG. their inspection in May 2015, who recognised that the • Opportunities for progression will be enhanced offer of vocationally relevant courses enabled students to through development of new higher-level become more employable. provision and clear progression routes to other DCG divisions where this provision does not Bilborough Sixth Form College was judged to be ‘Good’ exist locally. in all respects by Ofsted during its last inspection in September 2016. Among other remarks, inspectors • Accredited Information, Advice and Guidance commented that “teaching is consistently good and supporting all students to fulfil their potential. students work hard”, students make good progress and achieve their qualifications”, “students benefit from a highly effective enrichment programme”, “the vast majority of

5 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG

Increased Opportunities for Staff Through merger, staff will benefit from enhanced career embedded work experience, with a line of sight to future progression opportunities and CPD. It is envisaged that employment, directly or after higher-level education. a substantial and thriving academic community would Sustained employment, and career progression/salary evolve. Opportunities for scholarly research and new progression, will be tracked via the DCG alumni. communities of practice will become available, as will the potential for collaboration on new curriculum, pedagogical The merger will increase capacity to work with local and strong pastoral initiatives. schools, organisations and key stakeholders.

Staff will benefit from support from DCG Business Partners Bilborough Sixth Form College will benefit from an and specialists where this may be needed and they will join expansion of DCG’s community activities to meet the a network of similar professionals across DCG for greater needs and support the aspirations of Bilborough Sixth networking opportunities. Form College’s local communities.

A merger between Bilborough Sixth Form College and Contributing to the Regional Economy DCG will assist both parties in talent management and The merger will enable an expansion of the engagement succession planning. with local employers – giving more opportunities for work experience and access to higher apprenticeship Supporting our Communities opportunities. Bilborough Sixth Form College would benefit from DCG’s outstanding engagement with employers and increased The Group will continue to support businesses to meet opportunities for involving employers in the co-creation their goals through the provision of skilled individuals, and of technical and vocational curriculum as well as wider thereby supporting economic prosperity. employer links to enrich students’ experience and progression pathways. DCG’s continuing vision is to Bilborough Sixth Form College and DCG’s curriculum offer manage all students onto positive, sustained destinations will continue to be shaped by the local economic picture and to track their progress through their career. This and the requirements of employers and students alike. vision includes all study programme students having an

6 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG What Happens Next?

This is a formal consultation as required by the regulations governing proposals for the merger of Colleges. To date, the Further Education Commissioner and the Education and Skills Funding Agency have expressed support for this proposal.

Key Activities Timeline

Consultation on proposal launched March 2018

Due Diligence Activities March 2018

Consultation on proposal closes May 2018

Consultation Report submitted to both May 2018 College Corporations

Merger proceeds if agreed June 2018

Proposed merger date 1 January 2019

7 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG Statutory Notice

The Corporation of Bilborough Sixth Form College, College The date proposed for the dissolution of Bilborough Sixth Way, Nottingham, NG8 4DQ, gives notice in accordance Form College is 1 January 2019. Bilborough Sixth Form with the Sixth Form College Corporations (Publication of College students who have not completed their courses Proposals) (England) Regulations 2012, SI 2012, No 1158, on that date will be able to continue their courses of study of the proposal for the transfer of its property, rights and on the same campus as planned. liabilities to the Corporation of Derby College, The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 The colleges believe that the merger will create a stronger, 8JE and the subsequent dissolution of the Corporation of more resilient group organisation that will be more Bilborough Sixth Form College. sustainable in the context of challenging times for the education sector. Subject to the consent of the Secretary of State, Derby College Corporation intend to change its name to DCG The consultation period runs from 12 March 2018 to with effect from the date of merger. 4 May 2018.

Bilborough Sixth Form College is a provider of further All responses to the proposal must be received by 5pm and higher vocational education for students aged 14 on Friday 4 May 2018. Bilborough Sixth Form College will and over. It has 1,620 16-18 year old students (1,618 publish a summary of the feedback and its outcome within full time students and 2 part time students) on individual two months of the closing date. programmes of study centred around either A Levels, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas or a combination of the two. The summary will be available on both college Dissolution of is proposed so that websites. Responses to the consultation may be made Bilborough Sixth Form College may merge with DCG. by email to [email protected]

8 our vision for the future A PROPOSED MERGER OF BILBOROUGH SIXTH FORM COLLEGE AND DCG Have Your Say

Governors would be grateful if you would read our Consultation Document and respond to the questions below. Please complete the electronic questionnaire found online http://bit.ly/DGCB6th or return your form to: Rose Matthews Clerk to Corporation, Derby College Group, Roundhouse Road, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8BJ. All responses must be received no later than 5pm on Friday 4 May 2018.

Name (optional)

Address (optional)

Q1 I am: (tick as appropriate) Student Parent School Employer College Staff

Government Agency/Body Local Government Local Community Further Education College

Higher Education Institution Other (please specify)

Q2 Do you support the proposed merger of Bilborough Sixth Form College with Derby College to form DCG (The Derby College Group)?

Broadly supportive Broadly unsupportive Neutral Comments

Bilborough Sixth Form College, as part of DCG, will continue to operate under its name, location and Q3 identity. Please give us your views on these arrangements.

Broadly supportive Broadly unsupportive Neutral Comments

Q4 Do you agree that the merger will improve the range of education and training opportunities for students, employers and the communities they serve by building on the combined strengths of each College?

Broadly agree Broadly disagree Neutral Comments

Q5 Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed merger? Comments

Q6 Do you support the change in name of Derby College Corporation to DCG? Broadly agree Broadly disagree Neutral Comments

Privacy Statement Your data will only be used in relation to the merger consultation process and will not be used for any other purpose. Responses will be anonymised in the consultation results documentation. According to your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998, the information you have provided will only be processed and retained for the specified purpose.

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