Graham Morley, former principal of South Staffordshire College, has been appointed interim principal at Hadlow College Group following the suspension of the group’s principal and deputy group principal.

A spokesman confirmed the suspension, but did not state what the suspension  was related to. He said Graham Morley, former principal of South Staffordshire College, had been brought in as interim principal by the group’s board.

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Chair resigned

The chair of West Kent and Ashford College, part of Hadlow College Group, had also resigned, said the spokesman. He stressed that the college’s “focus throughout the whole process remains on our students and the continued delivery of good quality teaching and learning”.

West Kent and Ashford College has been subject to an Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) notice of concern over its finances since 2012. 

A Department for Education spokesperson did not confirm whether the ESFA or the FE commissioner were investigating the college group. The spokesperson said: “We do not routinely comment on investigations ongoing or otherwise.”