Braintree College and Colchester Institute to Merge

Braintree College is set to merge with Colchester Institute by next summer. On Monday 21 July 2008 Braintree College's Corporation gave the green light to the proposed merger, putting an end to speculation over the College's future.

The formal endorsement of a merger with the 10,500 - learner Colchester Institute, the largest vocational college in Essex, assures the future of further education in Braintree.

The two colleges will now focus on developing an Initial Outline Proposal to merge. Once this has been formally endorsed by the Corporations of both colleges, the final decision on the merger will rest with the Secretary of State for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills.

The choice of the preferred merger partner by Braintree College paves the way for expanded, high-quality FE provision for Braintree's employers, learners and surrounding areas. It guarantees Braintree College will remain at the heart of its local community.

Braintree College, a major local employer with more then 300 staff, has a separate campus at Witham which is included in the merger. Apart from its bases in Colchester, Colchester Institute already has centres in Clacton and Dovercourt.

Both Colleges will now begin work on detailed plans for the merger which should conclude by the end of the next academic year.

Braintree College's Corporation Chair, Brian Cutmore, said: "We can look forward to working closely with Colchester Institute and LSC Essex to find new ways of expanding on Braintree College's fine tradition of offering high-quality learning to our students, employers and the wider community. Braintree College is fortunate in having a dedicated team of professional staff who will be working closely with Colchester Institute staff to secure the best possible outcomes for learners in Braintree."

Welcoming the decision, Braintree College's Temporary Principal, David Mason, said: "Braintree's learners and local employers can look forward to a comprehensive and exciting range of education and training options which will supply a highly skilled local workforce. We are confident our College will thrive through this new partnership with Colchester Institute. We look forward to moving forward together to provide the best possible learning and skills opportunities for all our community."

Colchester Institute Principal Danny Clough said: "We welcome this decision and aim to work closely with Braintree colleagues to maintain and enhance the opportunities currently provided in the local area."

Janice Logie, Area Director of LSC Essex, which is responsible for ensuring the availability of high quality, post-16 education and training, said: "LSC notes the intention of Braintree College and Colchester Institute to move towards merger in the coming year. We welcome the opportunity to work with the colleges during this time."