A HUGE row between two colleges has exposed a clash of interests between two government flagship initiatives for FE.
The conflict in Richmond, Surrey, emerged during discussions over plans for 16 to 19 collaboration and the creation of vocational centres of excellence.
At a consultation meeting in Twickenham, Eric Kirby, principal of Richmond upon Thames tertiary college, proposed to turn his college into a new model lifelong learning college. It would have three separate centres, one for 14 to 19 students, a skills centre for employers and a third for mature students and advanced courses.
“This is a natural development for Richmond’s all-through education system,” he said. “We are delighted that government policies are at last being matched to the Richmond approach. It will be a prototype for other boroughs and learning and skills councils to follow.”
But Christina Conroy, the principal of Richmond Adult and Community College, attacked the plan which assumes a takeover of one of her main sites by the tertiary college.
She accused her fellow principal of trying to “weaken our staff morale and spread misinformation just as we are undergoing an OFSTED inspection”. She said her own college was already a “pathfinder” centre for vocational excellence in business and IT and planned to develop another excellence centre in art and design. They also aimed to build up an Open Sixth Form College for young workers.
Ms Conroy said the first results from her inspection were “most encouraging” and made the college a front-runner to take the lead in any future development. “Whatever the outcome of the consultation we intend to be proactive. We have 26,000 local students and we aim to consult them and other stakeholders in our plan. We do not intend playing second fiddle.”
Outlining the options, South London LSC chief executive Vic Seddon said the problems of Richmond were unique, because there were no sixth forms and two strong colleges. “But both colleges cannot hope to have their plans implemented fully - there isn’t enough money. That means they either have to merge or consolidate on their respective strengths.”
He said the LSC would be taking a decision next February after conducting an opinion survey of young people and local residents. “We are not in the business of treading over local patterns of provision with hobnail boots, and mergers are not as high on our agenda as they were with the FEFC.” But he said both principals they would have to learn to co-operate better and cut out wasteful competition if they stayed apart.
