KGV and Southport College to complete merger by January 2018

KGV and  Southport College to complete merger by January 2018.

Plans for the proposed merger of Southport’s two leading further education colleges are to go ahead.

King George V College and Southport College, first announced plans to unite last July and since then significant progress has been made to develop the new partnership.

‘The two Colleges have already started to work closely together and we are delighted with the positive reaction we have received from local schools, prospective parents and students, and the wider community. It is significant that we can now offer a guaranteed place on a suitable course to every school leaver in Southport. We can also continue to invest in first class facilities and resources for students.’

The Colleges have been working together on a number of exciting projects including the launch of a Science Centre of Excellence. Since launching in November 2016, the Science Centre of Excellence has welcomed over 200 local high school students and aspiring scientists who participated in a series of Science Masterclasses, benefitting from the specialist teaching and state of the art facilities available at both centres.

Following a public consultation period the Colleges are now in the process of finalising the legal and financial aspects of the merger.

Acting Principal at KGV, Anne-Marie Francis, added ‘We are pleased that the local community is supportive of our plans to develop a partnership and strengthen the post-16 provision available in Southport. The changes made at KGV have resulted in results we can all be proud of with 56% of students gaining A* -B grades and performance in applied general ranked number one in the country; there is really no need to travel out of the borough to study for A Levels.’

“We have already have plans to invest and improve the facilities and resources across the two sites and this has sparked excitement amongst our current and prospective students.

“Applications to both Colleges have increased by over 10%, confirming that young people across Sefton are excited to be a part of the new college.”

Both colleges are continuing preparations for the merger which is expected to be fully complete by January 2018.