Somerset College and Bridgwater College are pressing ahead with plans to merge following the completion of a detailed public consultation process into the proposed partnership.
Community members, local councils, employers, college stakeholders and staff have had their say about the proposed merger of the colleges, with plans receiving tremendous support. As a result, the Governing Bodies of both colleges have agreed that the merger should proceed, and the colleges are now progressing with the final legal and financial steps required to make the merger a reality.
Rachel Davies, Principal and CEO of Somerset College said,
“In Bridgwater College, we have found a partner that shares our strategic vision for the growth of skills and learning both within our local communities and beyond. This merger will strengthen the educational and vocational choices available to students, and we are confident this will enhance the future of further and higher education in Somerset.”
Mike Robbins, Principal of Bridgwater College commented,
“Somerset College is an excellent partner for Bridgwater College. The merged college will be able to invest in, and offer, a tremendous range of education and training opportunities to meet the further and higher education needs of students, and the employment needs of businesses, both within and beyond our local communities.”
Education and training provision continues as normal at both colleges, and it is anticipated that the merger will have official status within a few weeks. In the meantime, college leadership will begin important steps to support staff as they transition to the merged organisation.
Both principals confirmed that they would work closely with employees and their representatives to support them through the official transfer of staff at Somerset College into the employment of Bridgwater College, within the framework of a TUPE transfer. This is a legal process (the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) that ensures employment terms and conditions continue unchanged, maintaining continuity of employment and protecting employees experiencing a change in employer.
Somerset College will also publish various statutory notices, confirming the legal processes that will take place when the merger is formally completed and letting interested parties know that the assets, rights and liabilities of Somerset College will transfer to Bridgwater College at that time. This is a legal formality, required to fully integrate the operations of these two colleges into one, combined organisation.
