Purpose-built facility planned for integrated study centres

The proposal is one of several agreed by the committee in the wake of recommendations from a working group set up to produce proposals for the integration of the three organisations.

It is at an early stage and would require States backing, but follows one of the Assembly's resolutions in January as part of the debate on the future of secondary and post-16 education.

If the States agrees, plans will be drawn up for the facility to house the integrated institution.

The goal is for them to be integrated no later than December 2019. In the short-term they should continue under their own governance and operate independently, but during that period the governing bodies would come together to form a ‘loose federation’ to plan for the future after integration.

The integrated organisation should consist of faculties that ‘broadly mirror’ the existing mandates of the three groups.

Professor Richard Conder, non-voting member of Education chairs the group, with the principal of the College of FE, the head of the institute and chief executive of the GTA its other members.

‘If we are to achieve the many benefits possible, one of the key priorities is the building of a dedicated site for the new institution,’ said Professor Conder.

‘I was delighted the committee supported the findings of our initial work, but there is much more to do before these significant and beneficial changes can be realised. This includes consulting in due course with a diverse range of stakeholders.’

College of Further Education principal Louise Misselke said the work of the group offered the three organisations a clear path to develop their provision to meet the demands and needs of their students and the community. ‘This is perfect timing for the GCFE, and the team and I are looking forward to working together in the next phase,’ she said.

GTA University Centre chief executive Simon Le Tocq said: ‘Through the integrated working group we welcome the opportunity to explore ways of closer working with the Institute of Health and Social Care Studies and the College of FE to enhance post-16 provision, while at the same time seeking to ensure that the very best attributes of the GTA are retained for the benefit of the island.'

And the Institute of Health and Social Care Studies was keen to be able to share its experience. ‘We see the work of the IWG as an opportunity to share [our] experience across other sectors beyond Health and Social Care for the benefit of the island community,’ said institute head Dr Tracey McClean.