Decision over future of Stourbridge College due next month

The college is under threat of being axed by Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) as the cash-strapped group looks to save money.

A review is currently underway into the Hagley Road site, which stopped its A Level provision last year. One of the options is that the college group "demerges" with Stourbridge, although it is unknown at this stage what exactly that would mean for the future of the college and its students other than that it would no longer be funded by or come under BMet's umbrella.

All courses and lessons are currently running as normal at the college.

Stourbridge MP Margot James told the Express & Star she thinks the college has a "good future" and wants to see it stay open.

She said: "Stourbridge College has some fantastic, modern facilities, which are preparing people for great careers, be that in creative industries, the automotive industry and plenty of other areas.

"The college should be playing to its strengths. I feel that perhaps in the past it has tried to offer too much.

"I am hopeful that the review will recognise this and the college will find its place in the provision of post-16 education in the area.

"BMet has been badly managed financially but the management at Stourbridge College has made some good decisions, not least to stop the provision of A Levels.

"With more good decisions the college could be a very, very valuable post-16 resource for young people."

Cliff Hall, the principal and CEO at BMet, confirmed the recommendations of a review into his group's provision in the Black Country and Kidderminster is due in the coming weeks.

He said: "A review of our provision in the Black Country and Kidderminster is taking place and is being led by the FE Commissioner’s team.

"The plan is to make any recommendations by April.

"We are consulting all of our local stakeholders, staff and students. Any changes will only be made with the agreement of the BMet Board of Governors.

"Our overriding priority is continuity of provision for our students.

"In the short time that I have been BMet Principal, I have come to have the highest regard for the quality of provision at Stourbridge College."

Stourbridge College was taken over by BMet, one of the largest further education colleges in the country, back in 2013 despite the interest of Dudley College.

Since the takeover the group has spent millions upgrading facilities but has struggled in the face of poor Ofsted reports – with BMet being rated "requires improvement" three inspections in a row.

The college group owes millions to the Government after a bailout and has held a government notice of concern for financial health since July 2015.

Figures obtained by Further Education Week show BMet owes around £7.7 million to the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

In the face of these financial pressures, the group is looking to the Black Country to make the necessary savings.

Stourbridge College has an art and design centre in Brierley Hill, a skills shop in Merry Hill and a centre of sporting excellence in Kidderminster, alongside the Hagley Road campus.