Proposals for a three-way merger to create a new college in East Manchester have been drawn up, TES understands.
It is understood that the plans would involve neighbouring Stockport, Oldham and Tameside colleges forming a single college. Stockport College has confirmed that proposals for the creation of a new college in the east of the city have been submitted to the area review team, but said that no final decision had been made. Tameside College told TES that it was “exploring a range of different options”.
Greater Manchester was included in the first wave of area-based reviews, which began in September 2015. The Manchester review covers 10 FE colleges and 11 sixth-form colleges.
‘Exciting opportunity’
Simon Andrews, principal of Stockport College, said: “The college has firm proposals which have been submitted to the area-based review team. The proposals have been received favourably [and] propose the creation of a new college in the east of Manchester. Stockport College is very excited about the opportunities these proposals present to the college, local community and Greater Manchester.”
A spokesperson from Tameside College said: “Tameside College is currently under a strategic area review which involves the further education colleges in Greater Manchester. The review is ongoing and Tameside College is exploring a range of different options. No firm decision has been made.”
An Oldham College spokesperson said: “It is public knowledge that Oldham College is currently part of a strategic area review which involves the 21 further education colleges in Greater Manchester. This process, which is led by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is committed to making sure the city region has the right structures for post-16 education as we rise to the challenges of devolution and the Northern Powerhouse. It will be complete in early June and we will be making a statement at that point.”
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