The Chief Executives for Kingston Maurward Collage, Luke Rake and Weymouth College, Julia Howe have confirmed their desire to merge.
Luke Rake said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create a new Dorset College Group, with a larger scale and greater opportunities for students in the county. It is planned that each College will retain its own identity, but under a larger corporate structure which will make both colleges and the group more financially resilient, which will help ensure students have better and wider opportunities.”
The merger is being supported by the FE Commissioner’s team, as well as the Department for Education, and the aim is to create a strong, coherent offer that meets the needs of all students across the rural and urban Local Authority areas in Dorset.
The Colleges will hold a full public consultation in early 2024 where the public and businesses will be able to further explore the new College idea.
Dorchester Chamber for Business President said: “The Chamber understands the challenging further education landscape and is pleased to be asked to offer feedback from the local business community. Combined these Colleges will be able to offer the quality of education local young people desire.
Peter added: “If you have feedback you would like the Chamber to pass on please email me.”
Kingston Maurward College is a college for land-based studies situated east of Dorchester set in 750 acres of farmland, The college provides courses in agriculture and horticulture and in 2022 was rated good by Ofsted.
Weymouth College offers has over 3,000 students from across Dorset, the South West of England and the rest of the UK, as well as overseas, offering a diverse range of courses. Inspected by Ofsted in March 2020 the College was rated good.
With over 100 members any business in Dorset with less than 30 employees can join Dorchester Chamber for business for £60p/a (no VAT).
