Lewisham Southwark College to become two colleges

LEWISHAM SOUTHWARK COLLEGE is set to become two separate colleges to provide the very best education for the communities in Lewisham and Southwark, in a move welcomed by the Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Peter John and the Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan.

Joe Docherty, Chief Executive of Lewisham Southwark College’s parent company NCG, announced the changes to staff today.

It will see the college separate into two – Lewisham College and Southwark College – both remaining part of NCG. 

Joe explained: “This decision will allow the newly established colleges to develop curriculum programmes that better meet the needs of the communities they serve and to work more closely with key stakeholders, including crucially the local authorities of Lewisham and Southwark.

“Two new principals will be appointed to lead the colleges – both charged with the opportunity to make sure the offer better meets the respective local challenges while continuing to collaborate on areas where that makes sense.

“These are incredibly exciting opportunities and in making this move we will better meet NCG’s purpose, to unlock potential through learning.”

Staff will be consulted on the changes though there are no planned redundancies.

A series of public consultation sessions will give students and parents the opportunity to find out more about the changes and ask questions.

Rebranding of the colleges will happen next month, covering all sites in Lewisham under the Lewisham College name and the Southwark campus under the Southwark College name.

Joe added: “We will work closely with colleagues to make sure they shape the way Lewisham College and Southwark College are created.

“This is an important milestone in our mission to support communities with the skills they need.

“Both colleges will continue to be afforded the financial security and benefits of being part of NCG – including financial strength, shared knowledge and expertise and cost efficiencies.”

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham said: “Further education opens up opportunities for so many Lewisham residents of all ages.

“This move will allow the newly-branded Lewisham College to tailor their curriculum to the needs of our borough and we welcome this.”

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “This is welcome news for Southwark residents, who deserve a better and more focused further education offer than we have had in recent years.

“The council has worked with local schools to ensure Southwark children receive a first class education, and we expect the same standard from our further education colleges.

“We look forward to working with the new Southwark College to help our residents reach their potential and have every opportunity to succeed in life.”

Lewisham Southwark College was originally formed by a merger of Lewisham and Southwark Colleges in 2012, and it became part of NCG in 2017.

NCG’s Tony Lewin will remain Executive Lead as the separation takes place. Vacancies for the new principal roles will be advertised immediately.

NCG operates six colleges:

• Carlisle College
• Kidderminster College
• Lewisham Southwark College
• Newcastle College
• Newcastle Sixth Form College
• West Lancashire College

NCG also operates two national training providers, Intraining and Rathbone Training.  Both Carlisle and Lewisham Southwark Colleges joined NCG during 2017.

NCG’s colleges and training providers offer a wide range of vocational Further Education and Higher Education courses and training programmes, including apprenticeships, employability and work place learning.

NCG is also the first Further Education institution in the UK ever to be awarded Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP), enabling it to develop and award its own Honours and Masters degrees.