Merger Consultation Document

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MERGER CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

merger document_new.indd 1 23/07/2019 13:59 Foreword from the Chair of Governors

We are delighted that following the recommendation of the Further Education Commissioner’s Structures and Prospects Appraisal the Corporations of Stephenson College and Brooksby Melton College have both agreed to merge. We see this very much as a merger of equal partners. Both colleges strongly believe that the two colleges becoming one will better serve the future needs of our students, employers and communities. Upon the merger, it is proposed to change the name of Brooksby Melton College to ‘The SMB Group’ with both colleges retaining their existing brands at a local level.

The merged College will:

• Significantly improve the learning opportunities, experience and environment for every student, positioning them as the first choice for potential employers and universities

• Provide capacity to enable sustainable investment in high quality resources, while demonstrating optimal use of our assets

• Provide employers with an outstanding proposition operating a one stop shop for all workforce development needs including apprenticeships

• Extend the capacity for development of our key asset, our people, sharing best practice, developing expertise, providing career opportunities and attracting talent

• Encourage and nurture innovation to provide our new college with a competitive advantage

Our ambition is to improve life chances for individuals whilst shaping the future of further education in our region. We believe that this is an exciting and important opportunity for each of our colleges and we look forward to receiving your views on our proposal.

Our public consultation begins on 1st August and runs to the 2nd September 2019. Later in this consultation document, you will find further detail about how you can take part along with the proposed timeline to which both colleges are working.

Thank you.

Chris Brown Andrew Wolfe Chair for Stephenson College Chair for Brooksby Melton College

merger document_new.indd 2 23/07/2019 13:59 About Us

Stephenson College is a Further Education college based in Coalville, Leicestershire. The College has 7,497* students comprising 1,784 apprentices, 708 full time and 5,005 part time students. We are renowned for excellence and innovation in learning and have trained thousands of people to get the qualifications they need to progress onto their chosen career path or to advance with their current employers.

Our college is a state-of-the-art building completed in 2005 and is considered to be one of the best designed and up-to-date colleges in the country. Students learn in a modern setting and have access to industry standard equipment across all faculties.

We offer a huge range of courses and qualifications and provide excellent practical learning opportunities. This enables students to realise their aspirations and ambitions and gain the necessary skills to help them fulfil their own individual potential.

We also offer Higher Education provision across a range of courses. Higher Education students have access to the Higher Education Centre which offers flexible access during College opening hours and includes quiet study areas away from the busy college environment, lecture and seminar rooms and a fully stocked library.

* Figures taken from ILR data returned 2017-18

merger document_new.indd 3 23/07/2019 13:59 Brooksby Melton College is a specialist Further and Higher Education college based across two campuses in Leicestershire. The College has 1985 students* comprising 1549 Further Education students, 313 Apprentices and 123 Higher Education Merger Proposal students. The College offers a wide range of land- based and creative courses, from entry level through to degree level. Courses at Brooksby Melton College focus on enabling students to gain the hands-on, practical experience that they need to embark upon a successful career within their chosen industry.

The Melton Campus is situated in the centre of Melton Mowbray, offering a wide range of courses within the creative and service industries. The Brooksby Campus is an 850 acre rural estate situated 6 miles outside of Melton Mowbray, offering a variety of land-based courses in addition to sport, construction and engineering. The land-based offering at the Brooksby Campus means that Brooksby Melton College is one of 38 specialist LANDEX providers in the United Kingdom.

In 2014, Brooksby Melton College opened a range of new state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the learner experience. At the Melton Campus, these included industry-standard hair and beauty salons, a commercial kitchen and restaurant, one of the largest infinity green screens outside of London, and new performance and rehearsal studios. At the Brooksby Campus, these included a £4 million sports complex including a full-size 3G all-weather pitch, an extension to the Animal Care Centre, a state-of-the- art Equine rehabilitation centre, and glasshouses featuring automatic vent and temperature controls.

In addition to the academic offer, Brooksby Melton College has a number of commercial arms. These include Brooksby Hall, Brooksby Equestrian Centre, Melton Theatre, Reflections and the Rural Catering Centre.

* Figures taken from 2017/2018 academic year ESFA Financial record. 03

merger document_new.indd 4 23/07/2019 13:59 Merger Proposal

Rationale

Both colleges are in a strong position but recognise that together we would be more resilient to future challenges and more able to innovate, invest and deliver a high quality education and training proposition. Further Education continues to operate within a highly volatile environment, with continuous changes in government educational policy and funding. The Further Education sector has seen significant reductions in funding over the last ten years at a time of increasing expectations. As a consequence colleges need to think more innovatively to make our resources and influence go further. An emphasis on the delivery of Apprenticeships and higher-level technical qualifications means that the sector must work even more closely with local businesses and employer bodies to ensure it is fully responsive to changing needs and skills gaps.

Dissolution of the Corporation of Stephenson College is proposed in order that it may merge with Brooksby Melton College. The property, rights and liabilities of Stephenson College will be transferred to Brooksby Melton College on 31 January 2020 in accordance with the provisions of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The Merger will create a strong institution delivering high quality education and skills training for learners and employers. The date proposed for the dissolution of the Corporation of Stephenson College is 31 January 2020.

All students at Stephenson College who have not completed their courses of study by the date of the proposed dissolution will continue with and complete their studies as planned and in their current locations.

merger document_new.indd 5 23/07/2019 13:59 Vision

Our shared vision is to improve opportunities for our students, underpinned by a commitment to excellence, innovation and inclusion. Our aim is to create a first-class college Group, which speaks with one powerful and strategic voice, retaining deep roots in the local communities it serves. This combination of local access to skills development within a strategic regional framework is at the heart of the new college’s vision.

The positive culture of the merged college will build upon strong and effective collaboration with all key stakeholders, including local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, schools, universities, employers and community groups. The College will work closely with industry partners to ensure it provides the skills needed now and for the future. Our students will access high-quality learning and teaching in some excellent facilities with industry-standard resources and exceptional staff. This will support each student to achieve their full potential and contribute to sustainable economic growth and a thriving community. By working together, the partner colleges will deliver an accessible and coherent curriculum to support the development of skills using an efficient and financially sustainable model, demonstrating positive outcomes for students.

Therefore, in merging the two colleges we will:

• Ensure that young people have good access to education and training in the subjects and disciplines that are both right for them and for the local, regional and national labour market

• Provide education and training that meets the needs of employers and our local economy in the 21st century

• Develop a coherent curriculum offer, operate efficiently and embrace commercial partnerships and enterprises

• Respond effectively to the skills needs of our current and future workforce so that we can support businesses to start, develop, grow and prosper

• Support young people and adults to develop their basic skills in numeracy, literacy and ICT; and help assist them on their journey to long-term meaningful employment, improving their life chances for themselves and their families

We believe our combined strength as one college group is the best way to meet these challenges, be more resilient and better able to provide a more coherent offer

merger document_new.indd 6 23/07/2019 13:59 Benefits

The merged college will become a provider of choice for post 16 students by offering the following:

• High quality and relevant vocational education and training

• Delivery at all three campus using specialist facilities

• A breadth, depth and range of robust vocational qualifications and employability skills across a wide range of employment sectors

• A full range of apprenticeships particularly in science, technology, engineering underpinned by mathematics (STEM). Covering all levels from entry to higher levels in line with Government ambitions and regional industry needs

• An accessible and tailored Higher Education offer that meets local, regional and national employer needs

• Accessible and effective provision for students and communities needing basic skills in English, maths, IT and employability

• Progression routes through continued sponsorship of the Stephenson Studio School

• An outstanding provision for 16-25 year-olds with additional learning needs, enabling students to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed for life and work, providing quality student internships efficiently and embrace commercial partnerships and enterprises • Continued development of our successful commercial partnerships providing mutual business benefits

• Being a first choice partner by working closely with key stakeholder organisations to ensure that the College continues to evolve and make a significant contribution to local and regional economies and to drive growth and prosperity for communities and businesses

• Being ambitious, innovative in the pursuit of excellence for students with talented and high performing, experienced and motivated staff; excellent facilities; and progressive education/training and support

merger document_new.indd 7 23/07/2019 13:59 For students – at the HEART of all decisions

• There will be better facilities and resources through improved estates strategies and increased levels of investment in equipment and learning tools by pooling existing resources

• There will be an increase in the curriculum diversity and breadth of offer

• Enhanced links to businesses through the creation of a more coherent and accessible FE offer to employers

• Greater opportunities for enrichment and support by building on existing college strengths in Worldskills, sport, volunteering and learner leadership initiatives

• Improved learning experiences and choices that deliver improved progression in all levels of study or into employment

For staff – our most IMPORTANT asset

• More opportunities for professional development and peer support

• Improved networking and sharing of best practice and resources

• Enhanced career or specialism opportunities

• Job stability and security through the establishment of a more robust and financially sustainable business

• By becoming a first choice employer – attracting and retaining talented professionals

merger document_new.indd 8 23/07/2019 13:59 For employers – INTEGRAL to our business success

• A single point of contact, ensuring consistency and responsiveness to their training and workforce development requirements

• Work-ready students and graduates that are industry informed

• A broader range of quality apprenticeships

• The ability to develop bespoke solutions for businesses, industries and sectors

For communities – who we SERVE

• Increased high quality learning opportunities for our local people

• Increased capacity to work with local organisations

• Increased opportunity for developing wider partnerships with community groups

• Access to partners and the community provision we support

For strategic partners and stakeholders – enabling us in MAKING A DIFFERENCE

• The creation of a significant skills partner for economic development and regeneration across the region

• A curriculum that is aligned to strategic local, regional and national economic priorities and provides opportunities for engagement in Worldskills competitions

• More opportunity and capacity to leverage funding to support economic priority development linked to skills

merger document_new.indd 9 23/07/2019 13:59 Timeline

July 2019 Boards endorse proposal to merge with a new corporate name

August 2019 Consultation Period Due Diligence Activities

September 2019 Due Diligence Completes Consultation Closes

merger document_new.indd 10 23/07/2019 13:59 31 January 2020 Proposed Merger Date

December 2019 Formal Agreement to merge

October 2019 Consultation Summary Report Published

merger document_new.indd 11 23/07/2019 13:59 Statutory Notice

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Corporation of Stephenson College, in accordance with the Further Education Corporations (Publication of Proposals) (England) Regulations 2012, SI 2012 No. 1157, of the proposal for the transfer of its property, rights and liabilities to the Corporation of Brooksby Melton College and the subsequent immediate dissolution of the Corporation of Stephenson College in accordance with the provisions of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.

The date for the proposed integration of Stephenson College with Brooksby Melton College and subsequent immediate dissolution of the Corporation of Stephenson College is 31 January 2020. The merger will create a strong institution delivering high quality education and skills training for learners and employers.

All students at Stephenson College who have not completed their courses of study by the date of the proposed dissolution will continue with and complete their studies in their current locations.

The Corporation of Brooksby Melton College is separately proposing to the Secretary of State a change of name for the Corporation to SMB Group to take effect on 31 January 2020. However, for all external purposes the current branding of Brooksby Melton College and Stephenson College will remain the same.

The consultation period runs from 1 August 2019 until 2 September 2019.

A copy of the consultation document on the proposed merger is available free of charge and can be found at https://stephensoncoll.ac.uk/smb-group-consultation.php. Alternatively, a copy of the consultation document can be requested by emailing: Zoe Lager on [email protected]; or in writing to: FAO Zoe Lager, Stephenson College, Thornborough Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3TN.

We welcome responses to our proposal using one of the following methods:

• the Feedback Form, which should be returned to Zoe Lager either by post at Stephenson College, Thornborough Road, Coalville, LE67 3TN, or by email to [email protected]; or • by completing the online Feedback Form at https://stephensoncoll.ac.uk/smb-group-consultation.php; or • by sending your views by email or post to Zoe Lager using the above address/email address.

All responses and representations must be received by the closing date. The Corporation of Stephenson College will publish a summary of the feedback and its outcome within two months of the closing date. The summary will be available free of charge to anyone that requests it. It will not be possible to provide individual responses.

merger document_new.indd 12 23/07/2019 13:59 List of Stakeholders for Consultation

Colleges Local Authorities Association of Colleges Members of Parliament Employment and Learning Providers Head Teachers Education and Training Foundation Staff Parents and Students of both colleges National Union of Students Employer partners of each College Ofsted Trades Unions Sixth Form Colleges’ Association Universities East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Other Appropriate Partners Confederation of British Industry Institute of Directors Federation of Small Businesses Government Departments, Agencies and Funding Bodies: The Secretary of State for Education Department for Education Education and Skills Funding Agency/ Chief Executive of Skills Funding Higher Education Funding Council for England Companies House Emergency services Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership

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How to respond Feedback form

A copy of the consultation document on these proposals is available free of charge and can be found on the college websites at www.stephensoncoll.ac.uk or www.brooksbymelton.ac.uk or by contacting either of the colleges by telephone:

Stephenson College: 01530 836 136 Brooksby Melton College: 01664 850 850

The consultation period runs from 1 August 2019 until 2 September 2019.

We welcome responses to our proposal using one of the following methods: • the Feedback Form on page 14 of the proposal, which should be returned to Zoe Lager either by post at Stephenson College, Thornborough Road, Coalville, LE67 3TN, or by email to [email protected]; or • by completing the online Feedback Form at https://stephensoncoll.ac.uk/smb-group-consultation.php; or • by sending your views by email or post to Zoe Lager using the above address/email address.

All responses and representation must be received no later than 5pm on 2 September 2019.

A summary of the consultation and its outcome will be published on the colleges’ websites within two months of the closing date. The summary will be available free of charge to any person that requests it. It will not be possible to provide individual responses.

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Feedback form

Name (optional):

Preferred contact info: Email/Address (optional):

Relationship with college

FE Student Local community

HE Student Local authority

Parent/Gaurdian Government body/agency

Staff

Other (please specify)

Do you support the proposed merger?

Yes No Unsure

Do you support the proposed name change?

Yes No Unsure

Any additional comments you’d like to make:

Stephenson College, Thornborough Road, Coalville, LE67 3TN, or by email to [email protected]; or

Please return this form to: Zoe Lager, Stephenson College, Thornborough Road, Coalville, LE67 3TN or by email to [email protected]

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 2018, the information you have provided will only be processed and retained for the specified purpose. 14

merger document_new.indd 15 23/07/2019 13:59 Stephenson College Brooksby Melton College Thornborough Road Asfordby Road Coalville Melton Mowbray Leicestershire Leicestershire LE67 3TN LE13 0HJ Tel: 01530 836 136 Tel: 01664 850 850 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.stephensoncoll.ac.uk Website: www.brooksbymelton.ac.uk

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merger document_new.indd 16 23/07/2019 13:59