‘Historic day reached’ as college merger gets go-ahead

Aug 1 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

SKELMERSDALE and Ormskirk College has merged with Newcastle College.

Secretary of State for Education Ed Balls gave the go-ahead for the amalgam- ation, which takes effect today. Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College, which has 5,000 students on both full and part-time courses, will retain its name and be managed by local principal Beverley Robinson.

The merged institution’s new principal and chief executive Jackie Fisher, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, said: “We have received a fantastic welcome from everyone connected with Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College.

“We have begun developing our vision for the future with all our staff and I know that, in Bev Robinson, the college has an outstanding leader who works tirelessly to ensure that the faith and confidence that has been placed in us will be repaid many times over.”

Under Mrs Fisher’s leadership, Newcastle College has become one of the most successful and respected colleges in the UK, with more than 40,000 students and a turnover of £100m in this academic year.

Steve Broomhead, the outgo- ing chair of governors for Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College, said: “We have reached an historic day not only for the college but for the whole of West Lancashire.”