Northampton College and Moulton College are exploring a proposed merger to create a stronger, more resilient college that can better serve students, employers and communities across Northamptonshire.

At the heart of this proposal is a shared belief that we are stronger together, enabling us to provide a transformational post-16 offer for our county and local communities.

The proposal to explore the benefits of a merger has already been approved by the Boards of Governors at both colleges.

What the merger could mean

If progressed, the merger would bring a number of benefits for students, staff and the wider community, including:

• A wider range of courses and progression routes, supported by high‑quality specialist facilities. Students would have access to opportunities that neither organisation could deliver alone.

• An enhanced post-16 and adult offer (including apprenticeships) for the communities of Northamptonshire.

• Stronger position to equip students with the skills employers actually need.

• More opportunities for staff collaboration and professional development, helping teams share expertise, innovate and strengthen teaching and learning.

• Greater capacity and resources, enabling us to play a leading role in shaping the local skills agenda and supporting the county’s economic growth.

• A more resilient organisation, better able to respond to changes in policy, funding and the needs of local communities.

Jason Lancaster, Principal and CEO of Northampton College, said:

“Further education is changing rapidly, and colleges have a shared ambition to deliver high quality skills training, respond effectively to employers’ needs and remain financially resilient. Exploring a merger gives us the opportunity to build an organisation that can meet these expectations and better serve our students and communities.”

Oliver Symons, Principal and CEO of Moulton College, added:

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring together the strengths and expertise of both colleges. Our goal is to offer students more choice, clearer progression routes and improved access to specialist facilities. Employers will also benefit from a single, stronger partner that is responsive to local skills needs.”

At this stage, no decision has been taken. If approved, the merged college would serve more than 12,000 students, employ approximately 1,100 staff and have a combined turnover of over £70 million.

Next steps

Over the coming months, both colleges will undertake detailed due diligence work. This will help us understand the full implications of the proposal. This will include opportunities for you to ask questions and share your opinions on the potential merger.

A final decision will be made by the Corporations of both colleges once this work is complete and all considerations have been carefully evaluated. There is still a long way to go but we are aiming towards January 2027 for completion.

There will be no immediate changes at either college following this announcement. We understand that students, staff and stakeholders may have questions. Updates will be shared openly and in a timely manner, supported by a comprehensive online FAQ hub.

If you have a question, please use the form below.

https://forms.office.com/e/tjEeqY4nBM

Background

Northampton College

Northampton College is one of the top-performing further education colleges in the country, with around 8,000 students and a turnover of more than £40 million. The college has strong provision in areas such as health and social care, engineering, creative industries, construction, catering and digital. Student achievement and progression into work or further study are consistently high.

Significant recent investment includes the Advanced Construction Engineering Centre, the Digital Academy, the Green Skills Centre and the immersive learning classroom (iLab), all aligned with regional skills priorities.

Moulton College

Moulton College is a specialist land-based and technical college with more than 100 years of experience delivering vocational education from entry to degree level. Based on a 1,100‑acre campus, the College offers technical, industry‑focused training in land-based industries such as agriculture, animal management and equine alongside  construction, business, food and sport. It has strong employer partnerships, on‑site accommodation and commercial enterprises; a working farm, equine and sports facilities. 

Collaboration to date

The relationship between the two colleges has strengthened in recent years through shared professional development, joint student competitions, collaborative projects and work together through the Futureskills partnership with the University of Northampton. Both colleges are recognised as Good by Ofsted and share a long-standing commitment to delivering high‑quality education across the county.

FAQs
We have pulled together some answers to FAQs below. If you don't see your question below please do not hesitate to contact us using the form below. https://forms.office.com/e/tjEeqY4nBM

• Why are the Colleges exploring a merger?

  Further education is changing rapidly, and colleges have a shared ambition to deliver high quality skills training, respond effectively to employers’ needs and remain financially resilient. Exploring a merger gives Northampton College and Moulton College the opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient organisation that can meet these expectations and better serve students, employers and communities across Northamptonshire.

• If approved, when will the merger go-ahead?

  There is still a significant amount of work to do  and it’shard to give a precise timeframe.  Our current target date is January 2027 but this is subject to change. Updates will be given throughout the process.

• If the merger goes ahead, what will the merged college be called?

  This is still to be decided. If the merger goes ahead, it is likely that both colleges will keep their well-recognised identities for some time.

• How would a merger impact students?

  Students are at the heart of this proposal and our primary focus is to make sure they continue to receive a high‑quality educational experience. We remain fully committed to supporting every student to achieve their best, both academically and personally, and that commitment will not change. A merged college would be able to offer a rich and varied range of courses that would give more choice to the students of Northamptonshire.

  Students will be involved at appropriate stages and we will communicate clearly as the process develops. 

  Students will continue to study at their usual campus for the foreseeable future but over time they will benefit from better progression opportunities and wider access to facilities across all campuses.

• Will the merger affect college applications?

  No. Nothing is changing right now about how people apply. Prospective students should continue to apply for the course and the college they want to study at. If someone was planning to apply to both colleges anyway, they can still do that -there are no restrictions.

• How would a merger impact staff?

  We understand that some staff may be worried about job security. Please be assured that our priority throughout this process is our staff. 

  At this stage, no decisions have been made. Should the proposal move forward, we will communicate transparently and fully at all stages of the merger process.   

  For many people, a larger and more stable organisation could create new opportunities - whether through promotion or enhanced professional development that may not have been possible within smaller, separate institutions.

• Will students, staff, parents and employers be consulted?

  Yes. It’s important that we hear from the people who study, work in and support the college.

  As part of the duediligence process, a formal consultation will take place. Once this is complete, if both governing bodies agree in principle to proceed, the consultation will formally begin. This process is designed to gather views from staff, students, union representatives and the wider community. Consultation may include Q&A sessions, open meetings, dedicated events and online ways to share feedback.

• Who is involved in the discussions and decision‑making process?

  It’s a complex process which involves looking very carefully at legal, financial, academic and cultural factors as well as listening to staff, students and the wider community. After carrying out checks and getting the necessary approvals, thegovernors of both colleges  will decide whether a merger is the right choice for their students and community.The Department for Education must also approve any merger to make sure it meets national policy requirements.

• Will employer partnerships be affected?

  No. It will be business as usualand our partnerships will only get stronger. Both colleges already have excellent relationships with businesses, educational establishments, civic and other partners. By coming together, we can align our work, share good practiceand streamline systems and processes. This will help us provide an even better service to employers and support the skills needs of our local and regional economy.

• Will a merger make the Colleges more financially secure?

  Our aim is to secure a stable future for our students, staff  and community. By bringing the colleges together, we can create a more resilient organisation with better economies of scale. A larger college with a broader range of courses will help us attract more students, which in turn will increase funding and strengthen our long term position. It is anticipated the new organisation would have a combined turnover of over £70 million.

• How will  future developments be communicated?

  We’ll continue to provide regular updates and the FAQ section on the website will be kept fully up to date. We’re committed to being open and transparent throughout this processand whenever there is news to share, it will be communicated appropriately. If you have questions, please submit  them here:https://forms.office.com/e/tjEeqY4nBM

• What happens if the merger does not go ahead?

  If it is decided that the proposed merger will not go ahead after due diligence, both institutions will continue to run independently and to work together closely for the benefit of their students.

• Will pay and benefits be standardised across both colleges?

  It is too early to discuss matters related to staffing since these decisions would be worked through after the merger has taken place. 

• Will staff and students be expected to attend multiple campuses?

  The sites both colleges currently occupy would remain, with no campuses being lost under the plans.  

  Students who apply to study at Moulton or Northampton College would remain at their chosen college for the foreseeable future.  

  If the merger goes ahead, there may be future opportunities for staff to work more collaboratively across campuses. 

  Any changes would be considered carefully and focused on improving collaboration and the experience for students. 

• Could I be at risk of redundancy?

  If the merger goes ahead, there would be scope to collaborate more closely and to develop new courses which could create wider opportunities over time.  

  We can’t make any guarantees about redundancies at this stage, but our intention would be to grow student numbers, and we would need the staff to support and teach those students.  

  Any changes would be considered carefully, and we would communicate openly and transparently as plans develop. 

• Is there a confirmed timescale for consultation or a decision on the merger?

  At this stage, there is no confirmed timescale for consultation or a decision on the merger. A number of steps still need to take place and we will share further information as soon as decisions are made and the position becomes clearer.  

  Both colleges are currently working towards a merger date of 1 January 2027 if their Corporations approve the merger. 

• Will the proposed merger have any impact on current investment or training plans?

  Both colleges will continue to operate on a business-as-usual approach including the development and investment in staff skills and facilities. 

• Will a merger affect the finances available for students?

  The merger is about ensuring the financial viability of both colleges into the future. Any costs relating to the merger would be considered during the consultation and due-diligence process. 

• Is this the right choice for students?

  The merger is about protecting and expanding choice for young people in Northamptonshire. By coming together, we could offer a richer range of courses, clearer progression routes and shared facilities, so more students benefit from what we have. Students remain at the heart of every decision, and we would continue to be a local college, while investing in modern facilities, the latest technology and state‑of‑the‑art curriculum areas. 

• What will be the greater impact on schools & the wider community by this proposed merger?

  If the merger goes ahead, the intention would be to strengthen the post-16 offer for schools, families and communities across Northamptonshire. By working more closely together, the Colleges would be better placed to offer clearer progression routes for young people from school through to further study, university, apprenticeships and employment. 
   
  A combined approach would support closer collaboration with schools, employers and community partners, helping to align provision more effectively with local skills needs and opportunities. 

• What will the expectations be regarding student recruitment numbers, running courses or amalgamating similar courses?

  The intention would be to maintain and grow student numbers while continuing to improve quality, outcomes and the overall student experience across both colleges. 

  Both Moulton College and Northampton College have distinct strengths, specialist provision and strong reputations – any future approach would be focused on building these, not diluting them. 

• Will this affect students leaving this summer?

  Courses at both colleges will continue to run as usual. There will be no change for students qualifying this summer. 

• Will any students or staff be required to move between Northampton College and Moulton College campuses as a result of the merger?

  Most subjects delivered at the two colleges are only available at one college. Where subjects are currently offered at both colleges there may be case for centralising teaching in one location however this is something that would be carefully considered at a much later stage in the process.

• Is this proposal a takeover of one college by the other?

  This is a proposed merger of two successful colleges and not a takeover situation. We are confident that both colleges will be able to bring examples of best practice in teaching, systems and student experience and all these aspects will be considered as part of the process. 

• If I’ve applied to study at one college, will I still study at that location and will my course go ahead as planned?

  If you’ve applied to study at one of the colleges, you would continue to study at that location for the 2026/27 academic year, and your course would run as planned, subject to the normal viability checks that apply every year. 

• What will happen to students who have been removed from one college and are currently studying at the other?

  Students who have a place at college would continue on their course of study subject to each college's usual behaviour and intervention policies. 

• Will any specific courses or facilities change as a result of the proposed merger?

  There will be no immediate changes to courses, campuses or facilities as a result of the proposed merger. Students will continue to study their chosen course at their usual campus for the foreseeable future. 

  At this stage, no decisions have been made about changes to specific courses or facilities. If the proposal progresses, any future developments would be carefully planned, communicated clearly in advance and focused on improving choice, progression opportunities and access to high‑quality facilities.  

• How will systems and processes change as a result of the merger?

  There is no intention to remove existing systems at either college in the short term. In the event of a merger, a full review of all systems would occur however any changes would be fully considered and always aiming to enhance student experience. 

• Will bus services or transport arrangements change as a result of the proposed merger?

  There will be no changes to bus services or transport arrangements at this time. If the proposal progresses, any future changes would be carefully considered and communicated clearly in advance. 

• How will the merger improve opportunities, facilities, and progression routes for students?

  The proposed merger is focused on enhancing the student experience by bringing together the strengths, expertise and resources of both colleges. 

  If the merger goes ahead, students would benefit from a wider range of courses and progression routes, helping them move more easily between levels, subjects and into higher education, apprenticeships or employment. 

• Will students studying at the University of Northampton be affected?

  Where higher education courses are validated by the University of Northampton this will not change as a result of the proposed merger. Both colleges will continue to work closely with the University as part of the ongoing Futureskills agreement.