Stark warning to Bexhill College

BEXHILL college must merge or face possible disaster.

That was the warning this week from a firm of consultants hired to review post-16 education in Hastings and Rother, the Observer can exclusively reveal.

In a confidential report leaked to our newsdesk on Wednesday, KPMG consultants suggest a merger with Hastings College and the creation of a Tertiary Institution to serve both towns is the ONLY viable option as the new Bexhill College site takes shape at Penland Road..

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The three other options being considered would lead to a drop in numbers at the college and could render the new building a waste of money and space, it says.

It explains how a merger with Hastings is the only option which will ensure Bexhill College has enough students to fill the new site, due to open in September 2004. But the college is keen to keep its autonomy and uphold its independent reputation for high standards

It is the same document shown to principal-elect Tom Espley which influenced his decision to turn the job down after initially accepting, as reported in last week's Observer.

Sussex Learning Skills Council chief executive Henry Ball was adament that no decision had yet been taken