Colleges merge from 1 March 2023

The Bedford College Group is cementing its position as No 1 provider of post-16 education in the region as it merges with Central Beds College.

While other FE colleges across the UK have in recent years fallen short in managing finance issues, the Group maintained its “Outstanding” health grade, meaning its income remains strong.

With the merger with Central Beds College, the Group will rise from a £60 Million a year college to an £76 Million organisation with staff numbers rising from 1,000+ to 1,400  As part of that step up, structural changes in management have already been implemented across the Group in Bedford and Northamptonshire.

Prof James Crabbe JP, Chair of The Corporation at CBC, said:

“I am delighted to say that the Governing Body of Central Bedfordshire College agreed to a merger with The Bedford College Group. The merger will allow our vision of skills and vocational education for our region, which we as a College have developed over many years, to become an actuality, with enormous benefits for our learners, our staff, local employers and the community of Bedfordshire as a whole.  I am confident that this merger of our College, with its strong culture of an inclusive, calm and caring environment for learners and staff, will fit well with the ethos of The Bedford College Group, and could become a model for mergers in the FE sector.”

Allan Schofield, Chair of The Corporation at TBCG:

 “The Bedford College Group is delighted to have been selected as the merger partner for Central Bedfordshire College.  It brings together the two largest post-16 educators in the local authority area and creates a financially strong institution which will allow us to expand the educational opportunities to everyone in Central Bedfordshire and Luton.”