vision for the future of specialist land-based …...the 28-page merger proposal consultation...

Proposed Merger Consultation FeedbackEaston and Otley College

Vision for the future of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk

Date of Issue: 31 October 2019

Proposed Merger Consultation Feedback2

Foreword On behalf of all three Corporations, we would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to the Public Consultation on the proposal that Easton and Otley College merges with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College.

The Public Consultation was an important and integral part of our proposed merger being conducted in an open and transparent manner. We wanted everyone in the community to be able to participate, share their views and help secure a long-term future for land-based education in the East of England. We were extremely encouraged by the time and effort people took to contribute, with participants including our staff, students and parents as well as local employers, farmers, community groups and stakeholders.

It was clear that, like us, people recognise the importance of preserving the future provision of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk. We’ve spent the last two years planning how best to serve the needs of this largest sector in our growing economy, while teaching and inspiring the future leaders of the land-based industry. All against a very difficult backdrop of the challenges facing further education as a whole.

The consultation responses also highlighted the importance of the non-land-based curriculum subjects delivered by Easton and Otley College including sports and leisure, construction and public services and the benefits to students through closer partnership.

By adapting to change and driving progress, we see merging the Easton campus with City College Norwich, and Otley campus with Suffolk New College, as an exciting opportunity to become an even stronger educational resource for students, both present and future.

We are pleased that the feedback was in favour of our proposal and this has confirmed our decision to seek to achieve the merger on 1 January 2020, as recommended by the Further Education Commissioner.

All the views put forward, whether positive, negative or neutral, through this consultation, will be given full consideration in the development of our final plan. We remain absolutely committed

to securing a long-term future for land-based education that serves one of the largest sectors and biggest employers in our economy. We believe this solution will provide outstanding teaching and training opportunities, as well as strong finances to enable more investment and growth, and a truly inspiring business plan which propels the land-based industry to lead the way in the new competitive post-Brexit world of the future.

“The NFU is keen to ensure that Easton College and Otley Campus continue to be centres of excellence for land-based training in this region. It is vital that the industry has access to suitably trained, bright, enthusiastic, farm-ready students who want to forge a career in land-based activities.”

Rachel Carrington, NFU Regional Director

Mark Pendlington, Chair of Easton and Otley Corporation

Roger Fern, Chair of Suffolk New College Corporation

Andrew Barnes, Chair of City College Norwich

Vision for the future of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk 3

Executive summary As part of the type B merger process, a formal public consultation into proposals to merge Easton and Otley College with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College took place between 30 August 2019 and 1 October 2019.

The level of response demonstrated the support and value placed on high quality, land-based education in the region, with 110 people taking the time to respond and share their views. The vast majority of responses were received via the online survey made available via www.eocmerger.co.uk. Two merger consultation events were also held for stakeholders to attend at Trinity Park in Suffolk on 20 September and at the Royal Norfolk Showground on 23 September. Alongside this, a list of dedicated opportunities for stakeholders and members of the public to meet with the three college principals at both Easton and Otley were promoted.

Feedback has been received from a wide range of stakeholders, from staff, students and parents through to local business owners, farmers, industry leaders and community members. Some respondents were responding on a personal basis and some on behalf of organisations.

Overall, 76% (83 respondents) were in favour of the proposed merger. This positive feedback has reaffirmed our ambition to complete the merger by 1 January 2020. This supports the recommendation made by the Further Education Commissioner, Richard Atkins, following a Structure and Prospects Appraisal, which concluded that Easton and Otley College should merge with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College.

Seven respondents were neutral or undecided on the proposal to merge the three colleges, but still took the time to put forward their views and questions. Alongside this, while 20 respondents did not support the proposed merger, all of the comments received during the consultation process, both positive and negative, will be considered in the development of final plans.

The shared aim remains to be able to preserve and expand the wide range of much-valued specialist land-based and vocational education currently delivered by Easton and Otley College.

“Suffolk Chamber of Commerce supports the merger of Easton & Otley College with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College. We believe it would enhance the land-based education offer which currently exists, build links to employment, businesses and further skills whilst helping to meet the aims of the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy and the Local Industrial Strategy.

“Furthermore, the benefits to students, staff and the local communities will be significant and enhance the productivity, skills levels and output of the region, all in a sustainable financial manner. This merger will keep our region at the forefront of the agricultural, food and drink and high-tech research sectors.”

John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce


The consultation process The Corporation of Easton and Otley College held a public consultation from 30 August 2019 to 1 October 2019 on proposals for Easton and Otley College (EOC) to merge with City College Norwich (CCN) and Suffolk New College (SNC).

The 28-page merger proposal consultation document ‘Vision for the Future of Specialist Land-Based Education in Norfolk and Suffolk’ set out the proposals; including details of all three colleges, the shared vision and the potential benefits and opportunities.

The public consultation document was made widely available to all staff, students, including prospective students, parents, stakeholders, and the local community. People were invited to submit their responses via post, email or through the online survey.

Two merger consultation events were also held for stakeholders to attend at Trinity Park in Suffolk on 20 September 2019 and at the Royal Norfolk Showground on 23 September 2019.

The responses were collated and administered independently by FOUR Agency. This report collates and summarises the responses to the public consultation and addresses the key themes raised. This report should be read in conjunction with the public consultation document as it refers directly to areas within the document.

“I encourage everyone to get behind the Suffolk New College bid to revitalise the Otley campus.”

James Forrest, Chairman of the Felix Thornley Cobbold Agricultural Trust

“I believe this proposal is the best way to ensure the continued provision for land and animal-based study in Norfolk and Suffolk.”

Staff member


Consultation respondents In total 110 people took the time to participate in the public consultation, with 99 people responding via the online survey, 8 via email and 3 via post.

A further 66 people (including EOC, CCN and SNC staff and governors) also attended two merger consultation events held in September. A summary of questions and comments, and subsequent responses, was distributed to all those who attended after each event.

Three late entries were received via the online survey, after the closing date on 1 October 2019. They were all in support of the merger but have not been included in the overall total.

Respondents were asked to select from a list which best describes themselves or their organisation:

Those who ticked ‘other’ included former students and staff members, retired education professionals, trade associations and business industry groups.

Student (13)

School (1)

Parent (7)

Local business (14)

Staff member (22)Employer (7)

Local Government (2)

Local community (4)

Further Education or Sixth Form College

(16)

Higher Education Institution (2)

Other (20)

Not answered (2)


Response to consultation questionsQuestion 1Do you support the proposal for the merger of Easton and Otley College into both City College Norwich and Suffolk New College?

• 83 respondents supported the proposal (76%)

• 20 respondents were against the proposal (18%)

• 7 did not specifically answer/were undecided (6%)

76%

18%

6%In support

Against the proposal

Did not specificallyanswer/were undecided

There was clear overall support for the merger. Those in favour recognised many of the benefits of the shared vision set out in the consultation document and added their views to help inform the merger plans.

The views and concerns raised by those against the proposal will be fully considered as part of the detailed planning. It was reassuring to

note that the concern predominately centred around the protection of high quality, land-based education. The three colleges are committed to creating financially stable, land-based provision in both Norfolk and Suffolk, securing a long-term future for this specialist education. More detail in response to specific questions and concerns has been included on page 15 in a summary of key themes arising from the consultation responses.


It is proposed that Easton and Otley College will merge with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College through what is known as Type B merger, with the Corporation of Easton and Otley College being disbanded as a legal body (process known as ‘dissolution’). The next questions in the consultation asked people if they supported the proposed dissolution and the proposed names for the merged organisations.

Question 1bTo achieve the merger, one college Corporation has to dissolve (i.e. disband as a legal body). In this case it is proposed that the Corporation of Easton and Otley College will be dissolved. In these circumstances, do you support that proposed dissolution?

• 79 respondents agreed

• 23 respondents disagreed

• 8 did not specifically answer

Question 1cThe formal names of the merged organisations as a whole will be “Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education” and “Suffolk New College”. The proposed names for the two merged organisation’s continued operations will be “Easton College” in Norfolk and “Otley Campus” in Suffolk. Do you support those names?

• 88 support these names

• 14 do not support these names

• 8 did not respond or specifically answer

“If merged, it will expand the number of courses available to students, it will make good use of the excellent facilities on both campuses. With support from City College Norwich, Easton College could excel and continue to offer unique agricultural and horticultural courses that the area greatly needs.”

Staff member

“Norfolk is a rural county and land-based training and education is necessary to ensure teenagers are competent to replace the aging agricultural workforce.”

Parent


Question 2Do you think the proposed merger will have disproportionate impact on certain groups? If so, please use the space below to explain why.

• 60 of the respondents said no

• 35 said yes


No Yes Did not answer

Comments from those concerned about potential impact included:

“It will be difficult to maintain the ‘specialist land based’ nature of the College if it is overwhelmed by Higher Education and sport from City College Norwich.”

“For those in their final year of studies at Easton and Otley, any disruption to staffing will have a negative impact.”

“Agriculture will now be a very small group in a larger organisation.”

“It narrows the choices for students.”

“I would not choose the word ‘disproportionate’ but I believe that putting agriculture within a much larger general college in which the SMT has little or no background in, or understanding of, agriculture will put it at a disadvantage.”

“Maybe on those with SEN or those who are in danger of being NEETs.”

“Building Growth is New Anglia LEP’s sector group for the region’s construction, house-building and development sector. As Chair of Building Growth, I welcome the assurances and commitment to construction skills and training that is afforded by the proposed merger opportunities. The construction industry faces significant skills challenges, but I have confidence that the leadership of these Colleges will help to secure our future and deliver the clean growth that is our region’s objective.”

Dr Saul D Humphrey, Chair of Building Growth


Question 3 On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how committed are you to the future provision of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk?

Of the 104 respondents who answered this question, 90 people selected 8 or above.

“As our Local Industrial Strategy states, we have the largest agri-food output of any LEP area at £3.5bn with 60% of the UK’s sugar and 22.7% of pigs being produced in Norfolk and Suffolk. We have the innovation and expertise to develop, pioneer and apply new approaches to sustainable agriculture, utilising clean energy and innovative water management, and increase value added processing and exports through the applications of new technologies and systems. Our local education provision needs to support this.”

Chris Starkie, CEO New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership


A key aspect of the shared vision for the proposed merger is for both Easton and Otley to be recognised as national beacons of land-based excellence, delivering a curriculum shaped by employers and supported in innovative ways by a strong working relationship between Further and Higher Education.

Those participating in the consultation were asked if they wished to see closer integration between Higher and Further Education.

Question 4Do you wish to see closer integration between Higher and Further Education? If so, please use the space below to explain why.

• 76 said yes

• 21 said no


From the additional comments made, many expressed the view that closer integration would support more natural progression routes to Higher Education, easing transition and helping to raise aspirations.

Respondents also said:

“Students should be offered and have access to the highest available courses they wish to study.”

“FE and HE need to work together to ensure that students have the right qualifications and skills to enter the workforce.”

“It is essential for several reasons, as it allows young people who wouldn’t necessarily go to university the advantages of studying at a higher level without the challenges of university life. It also ensures working closely between both sectors that they are meeting the need of the students, employers and the community.”

“FE must stop being the ‘poor relation’ to HE. Industry and business needs young people from both academic and vocational backgrounds.”


Question 5Would you recommend a friend or a family member to explore education and training opportunities at the new colleges? Please expand on your answer in the space below.

• 73 said yes

• 22 said no


Additional comments in support included:

“Both City College Norwich and Easton College have excellent reputations in their respective fields. Both colleges do a superb job in developing the skills and aptitudes of less able students. Their vocational excellence is second to none.”

“Knowing the facilities and provision at Easton College along with knowledge of the outstanding educational provision at City College Norwich, I would have no hesitation in recommending the new college.”

“Because of the wide range of courses offered, covering many different areas and helping students to reach their potential, whether that be in continuing education, starting an apprenticeship or entering the workplace.”

From the respondents who answered no to this question, there were a number of responses which referenced that they could not make a recommendation until the new colleges had been given the chance to ‘prove themselves’.

“We firmly believe that success will be enhanced by close engagement with the industry; we suggest that an advisory group is formed from key stakeholders to challenge, shape and inform the strategy and support its delivery while holding to account those responsible for so doing.

“Playing our part to support this, both Associations remain committed to working with the Colleges with the caveat that our primary motivation for doing so is towards the building and sustaining of the land-based curriculum.”

Joint response from the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and Suffolk Agricultural Association


Question 6 Are there any particular features of the proposed merger on which you would like to comment so as to assist us in further planning?

48 people took the time to respond to this question and add their views to help inform the merger plans. The responses ranged from staff and students to local employers and representatives from the farming industry.

The most common theme amongst the comments provided related to the protection and expansion of high-quality, land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk. The three colleges are committed to creating financially stable land-based provision in both counties, securing a long-term future for this specialist education. More detail in response to specific questions and concerns has been included on page 15 in a summary of key themes arising from the consultation responses.

Examples of other comments are included below, and all views, both positive and negative, will be given careful consideration as part of the planning process.

“I would recommend some strong and respected agricultural industry figures should join the City College Board to ensure that the necessary focus on farming and the countryside is maintained.”

“I am interested in more details around the plan to increase SEN provision at Easton.”

“Please ensure a higher skills campus is delivered and the introduction of T Levels at the new colleges on the main agriculture/production/land management.”

“The modern operator on the farm today will in a year deal with digital and GPS issues, mechanical challenges, need to understand animal husbandry, construct some fencing, detail plant protection matters, lay concrete and build a wall, look after hedges and create pollen areas, maintain ditches and repair drains, fit new tyres and manage numerous wheels in differing guises, and so the list goes on and on. The delivery of the curriculum and the training needs to be more intense and industry level. Continual development of workers and retraining workers coming into the industry are also key areas.”

Many of the comments included in response to this question came from stakeholders including industry groups and trade associations. We are extremely encouraged that these groups have taken the time to contribute to the consultation and to share their views.

Norfolk County Council (NCC) also shared comments to assist with planning. The feedback provided was the product of a small workshop of business stakeholders and NCC. It covers areas including curriculum, college leadership, relationship management and promotion.

Going forward, Norfolk County Council set out that its ambition for Easton would be:

• A land-based college with a strong curriculum offer, which makes a significant contribution to the training offer in Norfolk across all levels.

• High quality provision, with excellent support for students with a range of interests and support needs.

• Clear progression pathways both into work and in-work, supporting young people and adults to take up employment destinations in key sectors, including agricultural, agri-tech, food and leisure and tourism.

• Essential and specialist land-based provision for Norfolk’s young people and employers. No alternative providers in land-based further education or apprenticeships available in the County.


“I would like the Otley Campus to become the ‘go to’ place for agricultural training, testing and ongoing career development for farming.”

Robert Rous, Dennington Hall Farms

“The merged college will give sustainable futures and allow for a broadening and strengthening of the teaching and learning, and the qualifications offered.”

Staff member


Question 7 How might you or your organisation be involved in or support the merger?

47 respondents answered this question and all comments, both positive and negative, will be used to inform our detailed planning of the proposed merger.

The support ranged from staff members commenting on how they hoped they would be involved through to local employers committing support through the continued use of the colleges for training and ongoing provision of work experience placements.

“Please let me know how Redpack, our team or I can be involved. We’re here to help.”

Gary Howard, General Manager, Redpack

“If we can see a clear pathway between education and useful employment in the agricultural sector, we would be very happy to be involved in any way we can. As an agricultural machinery company, we seek mechanics and machinery experts (sales, parts, technicians) and rely on local colleges to produce the future generation workforce.”

Sarah Nicholson, MD, Stalham Engineering Co Ltd.

“The NFU would be happy to assist in creating links between the college and employers in the farming sector to provide a valuable, practical training resource for students.”

John Newton, NFU County Advisor for Norfolk

“We will continue to support the college. We have been working with the college on its farm-ready student initiative and we hope this will continue.”

Jamie Lockhart, Director of Farming, Honingham Thorpe Farms

“Norfolk Educational Services is providing valuable input into the consultation process around the proposed merger, and this can only help to provide a smooth transition in January 2020. I look forward to working with all colleagues to help share our collective experiences, best practices and visions for a bright future for education in the region.”

Staff member


Key themes from responsesThe consultation also provided the opportunity for respondents to make any further comments relevant to the plans or to expand upon their previous answers.

There were some common themes which emerged from these responses and these are addressed below.

Impact on students “Students completing their studies this year must be given sufficient support and a high standard of teaching and learning to allow them to move onto their next step in education and/or work.”

Students at Easton and Otley College will be able to continue their education as currently planned, with the highest priority given to allowing students to be able to complete their studies at their current site.

Student choice “I am concerned that City College will have a monopoly on FE and HE in Norfolk and this may limit student choice.”

The curriculum is planned to maintain and grow land-based provision. Therefore rather than limit student choice this will allow greater specialism especially in the areas of sport and construction.

Although many of the consultation responses received were from the land-based sector, CCN and SNC are keen to emphasise that the non-land-based courses currently delivered by EOC including sport, public services, construction and Special Educational Needs (SEN) are also seen as important areas of development and growth.

Impact on staff “We would urge all three employers to be sensitive to the prevailing situation for current staff and ensure that full consultation with staff and trade unions is central to the process of merger and transfer.”

CCN and SNC are extremely sensitive to the feelings of the staff through this process and the uncertainty that it brings.

All three employers are working closely with the staff and trade unions as part of the formal TUPE consultation process.

Both the CCN and SNC Principals and the NES MD have attended a number of drop in sessions at both Easton and Otley to actively engage with the staff.

Protection of land-based education “It will be important to ensure that the breadth and depth of provision remains consistent with the current and future needs of both employers and individuals at all levels. Norfolk County Council will wish to see sufficient and suitable provision continuing into the future.”

“We must make sure that the land-based sector is not diluted by the wider college offering.”

“My concern would be a lack of focus on practical agricultural related experience. Food and tech is important but there needs to be a recognition that Norfolk and Suffolk are predominately agricultural.”

“I am concerned that the focus on land-based training will be lost.”

“I, along with others at the meeting I attended, believe that it is important to focus on very targeted provision and not dilute the offer. Become a top-quality provider in the land-based sector before offering too much.”

“How will the new colleges safeguard the specialist nature of the two land-based colleges?”

With a clear objective to provide a secure future for land-based learning in Norfolk and Suffolk, the proposed merger aims to result in two resilient and financially sustainable organisations, with widened educational offerings and strong industry partnerships.

The land-based curriculum delivered at Easton is entirely complementary to the curriculum offer at City College Norwich and would be maintained and further developed in line with the Local Industrial Strategy, Agri-Food Tech Sector Skills


Plan, employer needs and student aspirations. The wider land-based curriculum delivered at Otley will be further refined and developed. We believe employers will benefit from an increase in the scale of apprenticeship delivery and ability to respond to employer skills needs across Norfolk and Suffolk with the full range of skills provision.

Protection of assets “I am very concerned that Agricultural and Farming Education needs to remain front and centre of the Easton campus. The Norfolk farming industry has invested in the Easton campus and the college over many decades and we require it to keep a good focus on the needs of the Agricultural industry. We would go so far as to require the merged businesses to be covenanted to maintain the land area with no further sales and the maintenance of courses and education in Agriculture and Farming.”

“A concern has been voiced at a number of events as to the lack of a covenant on the Easton land estate. Whilst we understand that the DfE has stated that it is inappropriate to create a legally binding guarantee – there is a view that the Easton estate could operate independently as a farm, should a future CCN board of governors decide to downgrade or cease the land based educational programme.”

“The plans should extend to the future ownership and maintenance of the infrastructure currently used by the colleges, particularly the Easton campus. We welcome the idea of a ‘covenant’ that brings the commitments and undertakings of the merger partners together into an affirming public statement about the future.”

CCN has no plans to create a covenant but is firmly committed to continue the education and training that Norfolk needs. This goes hand in hand with the resources needed and the working farm is a key part of that resource.

CCN understands these concerns as similar asset related questions were raised in the Paston College merger where we hope that our actions provided reassurance.

SNC has confirmed its plans for agricultural and other land-based provision through its business

plan, and its ongoing relationship with the Felix Thornley Cobbold Agricultural Trust from whom it will lease the campus.

Agricultural expertise within the leadership teams and teaching staff “What will be the quality and scope of the agricultural teachers?”

“Who will be the lead on agricultural topics post-merger?”

“Who will be the ‘go to’ person/figure head leading the development of land-based provision, linking stakeholders and delivery?”

“You need an agriculturalist leading from the front, a talisman, a focus, a farming champion working for and in the colleges to help deliver this.”

“It is vital to the success of the merger that the leadership is first class and inspirational and engenders the confidence of the farming sector to take these strategies forward.”

“NCC would like to see strong and visible leadership from both Easton and City College Norwich to help the college increase student numbers, attainment and provision. We believe the new Easton College will require its own discrete leadership team.”

CCN is committed to strong and visible leadership for agriculture as well as in the other curriculum areas and has demonstrated this through its active engagement with the sector to date.

With regards to our teachers we recognise that they need to be dual professionals, not just an industry expert but also a skilled teacher. We look forward to working with industry to ensure our curriculum is kept up to date.

The SNC Principal has considerable experience of leading in land-based colleges. In addition, we will have a senior-level Director with land-based experience at Otley. This Director will join the Senior Management Team at SNC.


Links between Easton and Otley and courses available at each campus “Whilst we recognise that all courses cannot be replicated at both sites, there must continue to be strong links and coordination and cooperation between both colleges.”

Strong links and co-operation between CCN and SNC have been demonstrated throughout this merger process and these will continue and be further enhanced.

Requests for more details“More needs to be done to explain the strategy and tactics to increase the number of young people choosing land-based learning over other subject areas; the consultation meetings have failed to offer comfort here. We hope that the response to this consultation might address these concerns.”

“The features are not particularly detailed, so commenting is not fully informed.”

“The main concern is the focus and what the new colleges are aiming for in terms of courses within agriculture. At the moment this is not clear enough.”

In order to continue these discussions with the land-based industry, CCN and SNC plan to set up formal channels of communication including industry advisory boards. This board will look at ways to increase the number of students and the relevance of the curriculum offer to the needs of the employer.

We do hope the industry will continue to actively support both the Easton and the Otley campuses.


Next steps We have considered all of the comments and suggestions made during the process and this feedback has contributed towards our planning:

• Ongoing consultations and discussions with staff, working closely with relevant trade unions, will continue throughout the process.

• Students at Easton and Otley College will be able to continue their education as currently planned, with the highest priority given to allowing students to be able to complete their studies at their current site.

• We will continue with our planning of the merger to ensure the continuation of financially stable land-based learning in Norfolk and Suffolk.

• Subject to the satisfactory completion of legal and financial due diligence, we will seek to achieve the merger on 1 January 2020.

• We will continue to adopt an open and transparent approach and will endeavour to ensure all stakeholders, including staff and students, feel they have a clear and timely understanding of plans as they are confirmed.

• The merger process will continue to be overseen by a joint steering group of Governors and leaders from all three colleges.

“I just hope the merger succeeds. Agricultural education has been a struggle with lack of students and an indifferent record of achievement. It is very important that the farming community has a supply of good, well trained young people coming forward to work in the industry.”

David Barker, Chadacre Agricultural Trust

“The provision of high-quality land-based education and training is essential for the economy of Norfolk and Suffolk. The proposed merger of the Easton and Otley College with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College offers a creative, bold and innovative approach to securing and developing provision building on the strengths of two successful Colleges.”

Dr Peter Funnell, Director, Oakmere Solutions Ltd

Vision for the future of specialist land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk

Proposed Merger Consultation FeedbackEaston and Otley College

Date of Issue: 31 October 2019

vision for the future of specialist land-based …...the 28-page merger proposal consultation...

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