York-based Askham Bryan College has confirmed it will no longer deliver educational provision from its Newton Rigg campus at Penrith beyond next July.
Askham Bryan’s governing body announced its plan to close Newton Rigg in May and has since been conducting a 45-day formal consultation with staff at the Penrith campus and recognised trade unions.
Having concluded this process, Askham Bryan’s governing body confirmed its final decision to pull out of Newton Rigg following a meeting yesterday.
However, a number of other groups have expressed an interest in providing education at Newton Rigg in the future, so there is still hope the campus will continue to operate.
Tim Whitaker, chief executive officer and principal at Askham Bryan, said: “We understand the strength of feeling for Newton Rigg.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make and the prospect of future job losses is regrettable.
“However, we have no other option given the demographic and recruitment challenges and financial losses that we have faced, which we have shared previously.
“We are doing everything we can to support our Newton Rigg staff and students during these challenging times.”
Around 117 staff and 888 learners are based at Newton Rigg Campus. They include 667 further education students and 221 apprentices.
According to Askham Bryan, student recruitment and enrolment, and courses from September to July of next year, are continuing as planned. Newton Rigg staff will remain in post until next summer.
The college is still accepting applications for September, and will continue to communicate with current and prospective students on a range of progression options for beyond July, 2021.
A team from the Further Education Commissioner is co-ordinating a new strategic review of Newton Rigg which is exploring finding a potential new owner for the site.
This separate process, announced in June, does not affect Askham Bryan College governing body’s final decision.
The FEC team, part of the Department for Education, is co-ordinating expressions of interest, which must be submitted by the end of August and will be assessed against set criteria.
Askham Bryan College purchased Newton Rigg in 2011, since when it has invested considerable funds in the campus, and says it has absorbed financial losses.
