LSN

LSN and OCVC relaunch Reading College

Reading College, a new further education institution, rejoins the FE sector today under the joint management of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (OCVC), a well established education provider and LSN, experts in supporting learning.

Reading College, a new further education institution, rejoins the FE sector today under the joint management of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (OCVC), a successful and well established education provider and LSN, a not for profit charity and experts in supporting learning.  This long-anticipated move marks the first time a third sector organisation, in conjunction with a College, has taken on the running of an FE institution, a model increasingly considered part of the future of further education in this country.
 
Operating as Reading College as of 1st August, the college had been part of Thames Valley University since 2004. The new organisation will continue to deliver TVU’s current course commitments but will benefit from the additional operational strengths of OCVC and LSN.
 
Funding reductions across the further education sector have meant that the traditional route for colleges in financial difficulty – merger with a wealthier college – may not always be a viable option. Sector experts now see the involvement of external organisations as an effective alternative, as this enables institutions to share financial risks across partners. This unique partnership brings together an established further education College with a charitable organisation with a long history of supporting further education.
 
John Stone, LSN’s Chief Executive said “As a former college principal myself, I’m delighted that LSN is working with OCVC to run Reading College. Our partnership has created a local solution with national support; a model which brings greater resources and breadth of expertise, whilst also offering economies of scale through the delivery of shared services, freeing up more money for what’s important – teaching and learning.
 
He added “Alternative models for FE governance have been under discussion ever since the previous administration raised concerns over traditional mergers. Where others continue to talk LSN has taken a lead. I’m delighted both for Reading College and for the sector, that two charities with decades of experience in FE have joined forces to establish the first such model, and more importantly, ensure that the people of Reading have a high-quality institution in which they can learn.”
 
Sally Dicketts, the Principal and Chief Executive of OCVC and Interim Principal of Reading College said “We’re placing the local community at the very heart of everything we do at Reading. Starting with research into the education needs of local people, we are committed to working with employers and learners to offer the right, most diverse choice of further education courses for Reading and its surrounding areas.
 
“This partnership between LSN and OCVC is the best of both worlds, so we’ve set ambitious targets for the college, from achievement rates, through to use of technology. We see Reading College becoming both a local and national beacon of excellence in which students, employers, staff and the community can be justly proud.”

Martin Doel, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges said We wish Oxford and Cherwell Valley College and LSN well in their cooperative enterprise with Reading College. It is good to see Reading College returning to the College family and to the prospect of it meeting the needs of students, businesses and communities in the city even more effectively and sustainably. The partnership between a College and a not for profit company in this endeavour is an interesting and innovative model that may hold collaborative lessons for wider application.