Vision for the Future of Specialist Land-Based Education in Norfolk and Suffolk
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Proposed Merger Consultation Feedback Easton and Otley College Vision for the future of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk Date of Issue: 31 October 2019 Foreword On behalf of all three Corporations, we would to securing a long-term future for land-based like to thank everyone who has taken the education that serves one of the largest sectors time to respond to the Public Consultation on and biggest employers in our economy. We believe the proposal that Easton and Otley College this solution will provide outstanding teaching and merges with City College Norwich and Suffolk training opportunities, as well as strong finances New College. to enable more investment and growth, and a truly inspiring business plan which propels the The Public Consultation was an important and land-based industry to lead the way in the new integral part of our proposed merger being competitive post-Brexit world of the future. conducted in an open and transparent manner. We wanted everyone in the community to be able to participate, share their views and help secure a long-term future for land-based education in the East of England. We were extremely encouraged by the time and effort people took to contribute, with participants including our staff, students and parents as well Mark Pendlington, as local employers, farmers, community groups Chair of Easton and Otley and stakeholders. Corporation It was clear that, like us, people recognise the importance of preserving the future provision of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk. We’ve spent the last two years Andrew Barnes, planning how best to serve the needs of this Chair of City College largest sector in our growing economy, while Norwich teaching and inspiring the future leaders of the land-based industry. All against a very difficult backdrop of the challenges facing further education as a whole. Roger Fern, The consultation responses also highlighted the Chair of Suffolk New importance of the non-land-based curriculum College Corporation subjects delivered by Easton and Otley College including sports and leisure, construction and public services and the benefits to students through closer partnership. “The NFU is keen to ensure By adapting to change and driving progress, that Easton College and we see merging the Easton campus with City Otley Campus continue to be College Norwich, and Otley campus with Suffolk New College, as an exciting opportunity to centres of excellence for land- become an even stronger educational resource based training in this region. for students, both present and future. It is vital that the industry has We are pleased that the feedback was in favour access to suitably trained, of our proposal and this has confirmed our bright, enthusiastic, farm-ready decision to seek to achieve the merger on 1 January 2020, as recommended by the Further students who want to forge a Education Commissioner. career in land-based activities.” All the views put forward, whether positive, Rachel Carrington, negative or neutral, through this consultation, will NFU Regional Director be given full consideration in the development of our final plan. We remain absolutely committed 2 Proposed Merger Consultation Feedback Executive summary As part of the type B merger process, a Seven respondents were neutral or undecided formal public consultation into proposals to on the proposal to merge the three colleges, but merge Easton and Otley College with City still took the time to put forward their views and College Norwich and Suffolk New College questions. Alongside this, while 20 respondents took place between 30 August 2019 and 1 did not support the proposed merger, all of the October 2019. comments received during the consultation process, both positive and negative, will be The level of response demonstrated the support considered in the development of final plans. and value placed on high quality, land-based education in the region, with 110 people taking The shared aim remains to be able to preserve the time to respond and share their views. and expand the wide range of much-valued The vast majority of responses were received specialist land-based and vocational education via the online survey made available via www. currently delivered by Easton and Otley College. eocmerger.co.uk. Two merger consultation events were also held for stakeholders to attend at Trinity Park in Suffolk on 20 September and at the Royal Norfolk Showground on 23 September. Alongside this, a list of dedicated opportunities for stakeholders and members of the public to meet with the three college principals at both Easton and Otley were promoted. “Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Feedback has been received from a wide supports the merger of Easton & Otley range of stakeholders, from staff, students College with City College Norwich and parents through to local business owners, farmers, industry leaders and community and Suffolk New College. We believe members. Some respondents were responding it would enhance the land-based on a personal basis and some on behalf of education offer which currently exists, organisations. build links to employment, businesses Overall, 76% (83 respondents) were in favour and further skills whilst helping to of the proposed merger. This positive feedback has reaffirmed our ambition to complete the meet the aims of the Norfolk and merger by 1 January 2020. This supports the Suffolk Economic Strategy and the recommendation made by the Further Education Local Industrial Strategy. Commissioner, Richard Atkins, following a Structure and Prospects Appraisal, which “Furthermore, the benefits to concluded that Easton and Otley College should students, staff and the local merge with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College. communities will be significant and enhance the productivity, skills levels and output of the region, all in a sustainable financial manner. This merger will keep our region at the forefront of the agricultural, food and drink and high-tech research sectors.” John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Vision for the future of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk 3 The consultation process The Corporation of Easton and Otley College held a public consultation from 30 August 2019 to 1 October 2019 on proposals for “I believe this proposal is Easton and Otley College (EOC) to merge the best way to ensure the with City College Norwich (CCN) and Suffolk continued provision for land New College (SNC). and animal-based study in The 28-page merger proposal consultation Norfolk and Suffolk.” document ‘Vision for the Future of Specialist Land-Based Education in Norfolk and Suffolk’ Staff member set out the proposals; including details of all three colleges, the shared vision and the potential benefits and opportunities. The public consultation document was made “I encourage everyone to get widely available to all staff, students, including behind the Suffolk New College prospective students, parents, stakeholders, and the local community. People were invited to bid to revitalise the Otley submit their responses via post, email or through campus.” the online survey. James Forrest, Chairman of Two merger consultation events were also held the Felix Thornley Cobbold for stakeholders to attend at Trinity Park in Suffolk on 20 September 2019 and at the Royal Agricultural Trust Norfolk Showground on 23 September 2019. The responses were collated and administered independently by FOUR Agency. This report collates and summarises the responses to the public consultation and addresses the key themes raised. This report should be read in conjunction with the public consultation document as it refers directly to areas within the document. 4 Proposed Merger Consultation Feedback Consultation respondents In total 110 people took the time to Three late entries were received via the online participate in the public consultation, with 99 survey, after the closing date on 1 October 2019. people responding via the online survey, 8 via They were all in support of the merger but have email and 3 via post. not been included in the overall total. A further 66 people (including EOC, CCN and Respondents were asked to select from a SNC staff and governors) also attended two list which best describes themselves or their merger consultation events held in September. organisation: A summary of questions and comments, and subsequent responses, was distributed to all those who attended after each event. Not answered (2) Student (13) Other (20) School (1) Parent (7) Higher Education Institution (2) Local business (14) Further Education or Sixth Form College (16) Local community (4) Local Government Staff member (22) (2) Employer (7) Those who ticked ‘other’ included former students and staff members, retired education professionals, trade associations and business industry groups. Vision for the future of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk 5 Response to consultation questions Question 1 Do you support the proposal for the merger of Easton and Otley College into both City College Norwich and Suffolk New College? • 83 respondents supported the proposal (76%) • 20 respondents were against the proposal (18%) • 7 did not specifically answer/were undecided (6%) 6% 18% In support Against the proposal Did not specifically answer/were undecided 76% There was clear overall support for the merger. note that the concern predominately centred Those in favour recognised many of the benefits around the protection of high quality, land-based of the shared vision set out in the consultation education. The three colleges are committed to document and added their views to help inform creating financially stable, land-based provision the merger plans. in both Norfolk and Suffolk, securing a long-term future for this specialist education. More detail in The views and concerns raised by those against response to specific questions and concerns has the proposal will be fully considered as part been included on page 15 in a summary of key of the detailed planning.