Public consultation opens on proposed merger between Chichester College Group and Worthing College

A consultation on the merger between the Chichester College Group and Worthing College has launched today (Thursday 1 November 2018).

The consultation, which runs until Monday 3 December 2018, sets out the planned vision for the merger and will enable members of the public and stakeholders to review the proposal and have their say.

Paul Riley, Principal at Worthing College, said: “I firmly believe this merger is in the very best interests of our students, staff and the wider community we serve.

“It will enable the college to grow and develop, ensuring the people of Worthing will continue to enjoy access to a college which provides high quality education for many years to come.

“The merger will mean we will be able to provide more learning opportunities to students of all ages and learning abilities. They will have access to a broader range of courses, including A-levels, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and higher education.

“This is an exciting time for Worthing College.”

Shelagh Legrave OBE, Chief Executive of the Chichester College Group, added: “We are delighted by the prospect of welcoming Worthing College into our group. We will be working together to deliver excellence not only to our learners and staff, but also to business and to the local communities that we serve.

“It is vital that we are able to keep pace with the changing needs of industry, and I believe this merger will allow the group to do this. We will be able to work more closely with a wider range of business to ensure we are developing and delivering courses and training which meets their needs.

“We believe the group has the potential to support economic growth, job creation and skills development in our region.”

Worthing College announced it’s intention to merge with the Chichester College Group (which includes Chichester College, Crawley College and Brinsbury) in July, with the aim to complete the merger by the end of March 2019.

The public consultation runs until Monday 3 December. Once the consultation closes, the responses will be collated and the outcome published in due course.

A copy of the consultation document can be viewed at www.worthing.ac.uk/mergerconsultation, which includes information about how to share your views.

Alternatively, please email mergerconsultation@worthing.ac.uk or write to Clerk of the Corporation, Worthing College, 1 Sanditon Way, Worthing, BN14 9FD.