FOLLOWING a review by the Department for Education on the financial stability of colleges in the mid and north Hampshire area, one of Basingstoke’s colleges could be set for a merger.

In the report it is recommended that Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) could merge with Alton College to create a single institution.

In the Government’s review it said: “A feasibility study is underway to establish the merger timescale and explore the financial and education aspects in detail and consider the potential for federation ahead of merger.”

It goes on to say: “The A level provision at Alton will complement the technical provision at Basingstoke College of Technology offering a wider range of options to students.

“Basingstoke College of Technology is in a strong financial position exceeding several of the financial benchmarks and judged good by Ofsted.

“Alton College needs to improve its future financial resilience, being below some financial benchmarks, and is judged outstanding by Ofsted.”

However, the review does go on to say that if a merger cannot be agreed BCoT will remain as a stand-alone college but would be advised to seek collaboration with a different organisation.

As well as the recommended merger for BCoT, the review also advises that Queen Mary’s College should convert to an academy status, this would result in the college being funded by the Department for Education, and a trust being set up with local secondary schools to focus on improving the grades of pre-16 students across Basingstoke.

The report said: “The intention is to include key partners including Basingstoke Consortium, Basingstoke College of Technology and Hampshire County Council with the academy trust.”

This move would ensure that young people in Hampshire have access to high quality, independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance through education, something which Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education, Cllr Peter Edgar has supported.

He said: “Being asked to take a leading role in developing improvements to careers guidance demonstrates the Department for Education’s recognition of the high standards we work to and their confidence in our ability to shape advice and guidance that will enable young people to understand the full range of options open to them, helping them to make the right choices.

“As well as collaborating with schools, colleges, and young people of course, we will be sure to take account of the views of Local Enterprise Partnerships and employers.”