SMB College Group which operates Brooksby Melton College have proposed a merger with Loughborough College.
The groups say that the merger would bring a number of benefits to education in the county, including economic growth & skills development. Addressing regional skill gaps to support high-demand industries and boost local employment.
Whilst the group name of the two organisations may change, each campus will keep its individual identity and links to its local communities. The plans will ensure a minimal amount of disruption for students who will continue to experience a high level of academic and pastoral support.
Building on £55 million in current projects, including the East Midlands Institute of Technology and the Land-based Agri-tech Centre, this merger aims to shape a skilled, resilient workforce and establish Leicestershire as a hub of educational and economic innovation.
In a foreward in the consultation documents the Chairs of both groups have issued a joint statement.
Stephen Smith, Chair of Governors at Loughborough College and Ian Marron Chair of Governors at SMB College group said: "We are thrilled to be proposing a merger between Loughborough College and SMB College Group which we truly believe will strengthen the educational offering across the Leicestershire region. The merged college group will promote exciting opportunities to our students, stakeholders and wider community and would bring significant benefits to the county."
"This unique opportunity will allow us to address the regional skills gaps and support high-demand industries by boosting local employment. It will also mean we can further invest in our students, prioritising advanced facilities and technologies for an enriched, student-centred learning environment. Your views on our vision of ‘Stronger Together’ are important to us. This document details all of the key information about our proposal and has details at the end on how you can submit your opinions."
A formal public consultation has been launched and local people are invited to have their say on the plans and have until 30th April to do so.
Loughborough College is a dynamic and ambitious further education College, offering post-16 education in the heart of Leicestershire. For more than 100 years the College has been providing high quality education and training.
SMB College Group is a Further and Higher Education college with three specialist campuses across Leicestershire; Brooksby, an 850-acre Landbased and Sport campus, Stephenson, a Construction and Professional Trades campus, and Melton, a Performing Arts Hub.
All students at SMB College Group who have not yet completed their course of study by the date of the proposed dissolution will continue their education in the merged college on the same campus where they studied immediately prior to the dissolution of the Corporation of SMB College Group. This will affect approximately 3400 students: 2100 16-18-year-olds (FE learners) and 1300 adults
All responses and representations must be received by the closing date by completing the online response form at https:// stronger-together.uk or via email to strongertogether@smbgroup.ac.uk strongertogether@loucoll.ac.uk
A summary of the feedback and the outcome will be published on 27th June 2025 on the SMB College Group and Loughborough College websites. A copy of the document will be available free of charge to any person who requests it.
The new combined college will have a turn over of around £75 million.
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