Following months of careful deliberation by its Board of Governors and Senior Leadership Team, Bicton College has confirmed its partnership with The Cornwall College Group (TCCG).

The decision, approved at the highest level by Nick Boles, Minister for Skills and Equalities, is a further step towards a Regional Hub to serve the rural community of the South West.

Bicton College was rated as ‘Good’ in its most recent Ofsted Inspection (November 2012). On the recommendation of FE Commissioner, David Collins, the Board of Governors subsequently took the decision to find a partner to secure the future of the College as it navigates financial challenges, during what is generally considered to be difficult times for many FE and HE institutions.

The Commissioner has worked closely with the Board of Governors to find a suitable partner and supports the decision of Bicton College to merge with The Cornwall College Group.

During a six month period, the Board of Governors and Bicton’s Senior Leadership Team engaged with all interested parties, including land-based specialist colleges as well as general FE colleges, to ensure that their decision places the interest of land-based education and students at the heart of the proposed merger.

The desire to protect land-based expertise in the South West’s strongly rural community is reinforced by Devon NFU Chairman, David Verney. In a letter to the Board, written on behalf of the NFU’s 3000 Devon members, Mr Verney sets out a clear recommendation to Bicton’s Board to seek a partner with experience and a strong track record in the specialist land-based sector. The extensive, complementary network of strategic partnerships that exists at both Colleges was an important consideration, including the capacity of Duchy College’s Rural Business School.

Commenting on the decision to recommend TCCG, Bicton Board Chairman, Jeremy Yabsley, said that, ‘After listening to all of the potential partners’ proposals, I have formed a very favourable opinion of TCCG governors and leadership, and believe that they have the energy and a real desire to take the land-based specialism forward.’ He added, ‘Under the terms that TCCG propose, Bicton can be sure of retaining its identity – this is vitally important to our students and the staff at the College.’ He continued, ‘The final recommendation reflects the land-based expertise that lies within TCCG, this has been evident right from the very start of the process. Meetings with TCCG indicate that their vision of the future now very definitely includes Bicton as a partner college. We now look forward to working together with TCCG on a joint vision for the development of signature centres of excellence in land-based subjects.”

Philip Rees, Chair of the TCCG Board said: "We are hugely excited to be playing a major role in the future development of Bicton College, and connecting it to key partnerships to deliver world class land-based education in Devon. Both organisations bring extensive links and a shared passion for supporting the land-based sector in the South West. This merger will extend choice and access to land based training, skills and research for more learners and employers across the region, with Bicton College and Duchy College working very closely together to enhance their reputations for land-based specialisms.”