Bosses weigh up college merger

The two colleges, which have sites around the borough, could become one main college catering for thousands of students.

The Learning Skills Council (LSC) has approached the bosses of each college, who have agreed to a feasibility study.

Dudley College principal Jeanne Harding said: "The corporation are as anxious as I to move the process on quickly but with due regard for accuracy, in order to provide clarity for staff.

"It is important we view this as an opportunity to assess the impact of future changes in government policy and for enhancing learning opportunities for Dudley learners.

"We have a strong enrolment with some excellent learning and teaching.

"It is up to all of us to improve our service to learners and prove at our inspection we offer the best."

However, the Dudley College corporation has said it needs to see more evidence in support of the merger before it can make a final decision.

Mrs Harding added: "It is extremely unlikely any study would be available for consideration by the corporations by the summer, and I know this will lead to ongoing speculation."

Bosses at both colleges said they would have to look at the effect on the range of subjects on offer and effects on neighbouring colleges and transport issues when making the decision. The feasibility study will be started after Stourbridge College's Ofsted inspection.

It was revealed this year that Stourbridge College is aiming to relocate its visual and performing arts department from the Longlands site in Brook Street, Stourbridge, to Brierley Hill.

Bosses said the move would be part-funded by the sale of the historic Church Street site and the outdated Longlands campus.

Stourbridge College's former site in Church Street, Stourbridge, closed down almost two years ago and has been empty since.

The future of the building, which is 101-years-old, is still uncertain although campaigners have been battling to see it put back to use.

EXCLUSIVE by Ben Lammas