Loughborough College
& SMB College Group Stronger Together

Please keep an eye on the Loughborough College and SMB College Group websites for updates and news. The Joint Steering Group (JSG) is committed to ensuring all staff and stakeholders are kept informed of progress and developments through a range of channels.

Across the two organisations, there are 14,500 students.

The plans will ensure a minimal amount of disruption for students who will continue to experience a high level of academic and pastoral support across both organisations.

The partner colleges are committed to serving the communities and economy of Leicestershire to grow and succeed. We believe that there are opportunities to do this more effectively by uniting and creating seamless pathways into work and higher levels of study.

This proposed merger aims to attract inward investment and support regeneration, as well as enabling skills development and tackle unemployment and low wage work. Combining would also offer the opportunity to create a financially stronger organisation able to invest in staff and resources that a modern college needs.

It is the firm belief of both colleges that the benefits of merger outweigh any potential risks which have been identified.

As part of our planning process, we have developed a risk register and mechanisms to manage those risks should they occur. We have engaged an experienced project manager who is working closely with the CEOs to support with this, all overseen by a Joint Steering Group with governor representatives from both colleges.

We are at the beginning of the process. We have formed a Joint Steering Group made up of Governors of both colleges, workstreams made up of staff from each organisation and appointed expert support where needed. We have a number of processes to follow including due diligence and a public consultation exercise as well as a bid for support funding from the Government.

By spring 2025, we should have most of the required processes complete, but a final decision will not be made until the summer.

We are aiming that the merger, if agreed, would take place on 1st August 2025.

We are committed to ensuring that it is business as usual for our students and employers. Existing students will complete their studies as normal. Whilst the merger is happening students should continue to apply for a programme offered in the usual way and follow the existing application guidance and procedures of each college. Our priority throughout the process is to ensure that students at either college continue to have the high-quality education and training they expect.

As the merger of the colleges' progresses, we will keep applicants up to date with the latest news and will update both college websites to help ensure everyone has the information they need. The majority of students will continue to have their programmes delivered on the campus site they are expecting to attend.

Decisions around branding are still to be decided.

The merged college will ensure that the good practices already in place at both colleges will be shared and the best of existing arrangements will be used to further improve our services. The Governors and leaders will work to ensure that quality levels are maintained and improved. By building on our strong foundation and learning from each other, all colleges will be able to share best practices and resources whilst creating improved learning environments for students and apprentices.

The combined college will have a turnover of around £75 million.

We see this merger:

• Prioritising high-level investment on student experience
• Positioning us as sector leaders in multiple curriculum areas
• Attaining and maintaining high levels of staff satisfaction
• Contributing to the economy and high-level skills

Both organisations are already committed to bringing significant investment in their campuses, including more than £35m worth of investment at Loughborough College and a £20m investment at SMB College Group’s Brooksby campus. This merger will help to strengthen those plans.

As a high-performing college, we will continue to look for investment opportunities to strengthen our offering.

After the point of merger, you will not experience a significant change in your college experience. Your teachers and support staff will continue to work and support you in achieving your qualifications and progression routes.

You will still be able to access the student support functions that you do now. For new students that join the college in September 2025, they will be able to access student support services at each campus in the same way as existing students.

Please apply in the usual way to the college campus that has the course that you want to study and follow the college’s application guidance and procedures. Enrolment will be carried out at each campus in the normal way.

It will be an exciting time for all our students. The proposed merger will give a greater choice of courses, flexibility and resources for students to enjoy.

No. Virtually all of our awards and qualifications are certified by external bodies and these will not be affected in any way. If you are studying for a degree or post-graduate award, then you will still receive your degree from the awarding partner.

It is normal practice that college courses are constantly reviewed to make sure that they are meeting the needs of both the student and employers. We will communicate with you about any such changes if they should arise.

Yes, we are communicating with all our stakeholders as part of the consultation about the proposed changes. Your progression routes will not change because of the merger.

The college’s governing bodies have set up a Joint Steering Group to oversee the implementation of the merger and the necessary legal and financial procedures. Both organisations will work closely together over the next few months.

As the merger discussion progress, we will keep applicants up to date with the latest news and will update both college website. Our priority throughout the process is to ensure that new applicants and current students continue to have the high-quality education and training they expect.