North Shropshire College proposes to close Wem site

Interim principal Ian Peake said that the college has started a consultation on the proposed closure of Wem Learning Centre on the High Street, along with two other sites.

Mr Peake, also principal and chief executive of Hereford and Ludlow College, said: “North Shropshire College has just started to consult about the proposed closure of its satellite centres at Shipley, Tenbury Wells and Wem.

“This proposed change will enable the college to focus its investments at its two main campuses, at Oswestry and Walford, and improve its financial position by closing uneconomic centres that provide few courses for very small numbers of students.

“The consultation with the staff will obviously seek their views, and endeavour to minimise the impact of these proposals on individual colleagues.

“The college is also working with students at the satellite centres to ensure they can continue their learning programmes and achieve excellent results.”

Subject to the consultation, North Shropshire College intends to close the campuses this summer, after the end of the academic year.

Wem Learning Centre, which is next to the library, runs small part-time classes maths, English and IT for beginners. The Aspire Centre in Tenbury Wells offers technical engineering and motor vehicle training.

All students at the Wem and Tenbury Wells sites will have completed their courses by the end of this academic year, while a small number of Shipley students’ courses will run into the next academic year.

The Shipley students – who all study animal management and care – are being offered places at the Walford campus.

Mr Peake said that the Walford campus is “extremely well-resourced” and that the students would benefit from the “full college experience” and studying alongside many other students.

Prospective students are being informed and events have been arranged at the Shipley and Tenbury Wells centres to meet teachers and support staff and receive advice about their options.