Governors at the Royal Forest of Dean College and Gloucestershire College have agreed to commence merger talks to create by far the largest further education college in Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire College was approached by representatives of the Royal Forest of Dean College in May of this year with a view to discussing the feasibility of merging the two colleges. Unfortunately small rural colleges are not financially viable in the harsh realities of public sector funding which was the reason behind the Royal Forest of Dean's approach.

The plan is to secure long term education in the Forest and to achieve this RFDC has sought to merge with a financially strong partner. Gloucestershire College is in the fortunate position of having a new estate, growing student numbers, no debt and strong reserves, thereby a suitable partner for a merger.

There are many other reasons for believing that the Royal Forest of Dean College has made the right choice of partner. Both colleges are general further education colleges with excellent vocational and academic provision. The most recent Ofsted Inspections of both colleges found them to be overall "Good" colleges with a number of "Outstanding" features. Therefore both colleges can learn from each other in the journey to becoming "Outstanding".

The Royal Forest of Dean College has been recognised nationally for its work with vulnerable learners and last year were national runners up in the Star Awards for 'Response to Learner Needs'. The loss of the college to the Forest of Dean would be a disaster.

There are significant benefits to the citizens of the Forest, which will be created by the merger. Not only will existing Further Education provision be saved, but the merged Gloucestershire College will be able to strengthen and offer further provision including progression on to higher level courses. This will widen opportunities for individual learners and employers will benefit from more apprenticeships and scope for further staff development within the Forest of Dean.

The greater resources of Gloucestershire College will allow the merged college to tackle skills gaps in the Forest of Dean more effectively.

The merged college will create a much larger pool of specialist skills which can be focussed on Forest learners. Larger colleges can afford to employ specialist backroom staff to ensure the organisation is running cost effectively and can also create teams of teaching staff who have the benefit of sharing skills and expertise.

Gloucestershire College has a wealth of experience in developing its estate. The Royal Forest of Dean College's buildings would benefit from significant financial investment. Gloucestershire College will be able to provide both the finance and the expertise to raise the quality of the Forest of Dean College's estate which would greatly benefit the learners and the community.

Mergers can be worrying for those involved but this merger is intended to improve facilities and learning opportunities and secure post 16 provision within the Forest of Dean. Delivery will continue and grow in the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire College will invest in these facilities. The name of the college will remain in the title, for example 'The Royal Forest of Dean Campus (RFDC)' will continue, it will just benefit by being part of a larger, more financially secure institution.

So when will all this happen? There is a fairly complex process to be undertaken which involves a consultation period and also the approval of the Secretary of State. It is therefore unlikely that the merger will be completed before early to mid 2011.

The Principals and Governors of the two colleges are delighted to be able to make this announcement and are fully supportive of this proposal to merge which will ensure long term high quality vocational and academic provision within the Forest of Dean.