AN iconic adult education college - which faced closure due to ‘financial ruin’ when the Covid pandemic struck - is hoping to merge with Barnsley College in a bid to secure its long-term future.
Northern College - based at Wentworth Castle, Stainborough - provides short community learning courses and longer accredited academic and vocational courses that enable students to progress on to further study, higher education or work.
Its long-term future was plunged into doubt during the pandemic when the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) announced that colleges which delivered less than 90 per cent of their budget allocation would have their unspent funds clawed back.
The facility faced the prospect of paying back an additional £660,000 as they would not hit the 90 per cent tolerance level, falling 17 per cent short, but local leaders came together to secure a better funding package.
Despite remaining as a standalone institution - one of only two in the country - Northern College weathered a ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances and its latest accounts have shown an improvement.
However there is still some uncertainty over future funding with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) yet to commit funding past the next academic year.
Therefore the institution is hoping to secure ‘a long-term and sustainable future’ by merging with Barnsley College.
In a joint statement, principal of Northern College Emma Beal and principal of Barnsley College David Akeroyd, said: “Northern College and Barnsley College have been exploring ways to secure a long-term and sustainable future for Northern College.
“Those discussions are now focused on a proposed voluntary merger with Barnsley College.
“Our shared intention is to build on the breadth and quality of what we already offer, keeping the needs of our learners and communities at the heart of this work.”
Staff were told about the plans earlier this month but there have been no concrete discussions as to whether any jobs will be at risk of redundancy or whether any provision will be lost if the merger goes ahead.
Northern College employs around 70 people and had over 3,000 enrolments last year, which included a range of short community learning courses designed to re-engage adults in learning and a programme of longer accredited courses.
Barnsley College employs around 850 people and teaches around 9,000 students, it is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and has ‘outstanding’ financial health.
A series of formal steps towards the merger have now started, though a completion date has not yet been decided.
The statement added: “A key part of the process will involve formal consultation with both internal and external stakeholders, with more information to follow in due course.
“A set of frequently asked questions to support staff and provide further clarity will be shared shortly and kept updated as things progress.”
Marie Tibdall, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, told the Chronicle: “I know Northern and Barnsley Colleges will work hard to ensure both institutions have a long-term and sustainable future together, and this is an opportunity to secure this.
“I’m pleased that this merger also aims to retain Northern College’s distinct identity, as the only adult residential college in the North of England.
“I am so proud of the college’s long history of fantastic work to ensure people from a range of backgrounds, including those facing socio-economic disadvantage, those with learning disabilities and health conditions, can access skills training to fulfil their potential.
“Northern College and Barnsley College are both very special local assets for our communities, and it is essential they both have a bright future to ensure future generations fulfil their potential.”
