A new era for Easton College

1st January 2020 – Tags: City College Norwich

Easton College has begun an exciting new chapter following our merger with City College Norwich on 1st January 2020.

A dynamic new approach to land-based learning

The move heralds a dynamic new approach to land-based learning in the region, building on a strong reputation across the institutions for superb facilities, exceptional teaching staff, and progressive relationships with the business community.

Mark Pendlington, Chair of Easton and Otley College Corporation, said:

This is the beginning of a new era for land-based education in Norfolk and Suffolk and we are extremely pleased to be giving the green light to the two-way merger with City College Norwich and Suffolk New College.

Mr Pendlington continued:

I am confident that this secures the future of land-based learning, will build on talent, drive innovation, and create even more opportunities for those wishing to develop a career in the sector which has such significance to our region, and nationally and globally too.

Support for merger

A public consultation on the two-way merger of Easton and Otley College ran between 30th August and 1st October. The views of students, parents, staff, local employers, MPs and the wider community were gathered and considered fully in the context of approving a new strategic plan.

An overwhelming majority – 75% - approved the proposed merger.

Course arrangements continue

The completion of the mergers sees Norfolk-based students attending Easton College joining City College Norwich. Meanwhile, those in Suffolk will become Otley Campus students, with the facility named ‘Suffolk Rural College’.

Students currently attending both campuses will continue to study as per their previous course arrangements, and at the site to which they were originally signed up.

Partnerships key to success

On the merger decision and future plans, Andrew Barnes, Chair of City College Norwich Corporation, said:

We are looking forward to working with all partners to turn our vision for Easton College, and for land-based skills in the region, into reality. We will do this by building on Easton College’s vast expertise and specialist facilities for land-based training, whilst continuing to work closely with the farming community and the many other employers who support the training of Easton College students.

 

A huge amount of work has taken place, in a relatively short space of time, to get us to this stage. I would like to thank all the staff at Easton & Otley College, Suffolk New College, City College Norwich and Norfolk Educational Services for their hard work in preparing for this merger – and in particular to acknowledge the support and invaluable contributions made by Mark Pendlington and Jane Townsend throughout the process.