Management of college is to transfer to new bosses

From August 1 Nelson and Colne College will take over permanent control of Lancashire Adult College in Euxton.

Education chiefs at County Hall in Preston say the move to hand over control won’t affect courses at the Southport Road facility.

The decision, which was suggested by education w atchdogs, has already been approved by the Skills Funding Agency, which provides grants for all LAL courses.

LCC said the transfer of control followed the speed in which LAL’s performance improved as a result of a partnership between the county council and Nelson and Colne College.

This saw the Ofsted rating improving from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ in just over a year.

Ofsted highlighted that further improvements would be made by making the current senior leadership arrangements for LAL to be permanent.

Cabinet met last week and agreed to the transfer of power.

The county said LAL willcontinue to offer a range of adult and community learning courses across the county.

Coun Tony Martin, Lancashire’s cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “We feel Nelson and Colne College assuming responsibility for LAL is the best option for continued improvement and success.”

He added: “ Adult and community learning plays a vital role, often supporting people back into work or to make a career change, with a tremendous reach in terms of where you can access courses and the variety of topics covered.

“We’ve got the very best interests of staff and learners at heart, and feel very strongly that this is the best move to support adult and community learning in Lancashire.

“Lancashire Adult Learning will retain its unique offer supported by funding from the Learning and Skills Council, to ensure the delivery throughout all Lancashire will continue.

“The help and support given to LAL by Nelson and Colne College in this difficult time has been fantastic and proved to me this partnership is the best way forward as the county council downsizes in the next few years. I look forward to our partnership growing and thriving in the future”

LAL provides courses for adults throughout Lancashire,including those designed to help people improve basic skills for life and work, such as maths, English and computer skills.

Courses arecurrently provided for 22,000 learners in over 120 community venues.