Barnet and Essex-based colleges set to merge

Epping Forest College is to merge with Barnet and Southgate College in a "formal collaboration", the process for which has already begun.

Epping Forest College was rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2016, and has since replaced its principal and a number of its senior leadership team.

Saboohi Famili, the CEO and Principal of Epping Forest College, said: "This formal partnership will ensure that we can work together, plan together and develop a more robust and diverse range of provision for the communities we serve.

"I have no doubt that we can learn a great deal from one another and build upon our strengths."

Saboohi Famili

This comes after Barnet and Southgate College announced a similar merger with Waltham Forest College in October last year, which came after a year of negotiations.

Barnet and Southgate College CEO and principal David Byrne said he is delighted to have been chosen for the merger.

He continued: "There is clear evidence of improvement made under the new leadership of the College and we are looking forward to establish ways to provide an improved and enhanced offer for learners and employers alike.

"We are committed to the local communities we serve and look forward to working with Epping Forest College to implement new strategies and develop more significant solutions for the long-term benefit of learners."

A statement from colleges said the reason for the merger was to "improve and enhance their ability to respond to the aspirations and needs of learners and of the specialist industries that both colleges serve."

The exact nature of the partnership is unclear, but representatives from neither Epping Forest College nor Barnet and Southgate College were available to clarify.