Merger wins approval

David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Education, approved the plan linking York College of Further and Higher Education (YCFHE) with York Sixth Form College, a month earlier than expected.

The decision has been welcomed by David Mason, principal of YCFHE, who retires next year, and Mike Galloway, principal of the sixth form college, who will become overall principal of the combined institution, in charge of 10,000 full and part-time students.

Mr Galloway said the speed of David Blunkett's decision was proof of the strength of the proposal. He said: "The merger will mean the overall strengthening of learning provision, which will help take post 16 education in York into the millennium."

Students will have access to two college libraries, two sports halls and the playing fields presently belonging to York Sixth Form College will be open to YCFHE students.

In the future they will also be able to attend lessons at both institutions, which are 300 metres apart, although during the first year, they will still be registered and based on a single 'campus'.

The biggest changes initially will be the introduction of single governance and management teams which will work to tempt a larger proportion of ex-students back into education and encourage 16-year-olds to stay on.

Mr Galloway said: "Instead of each college looking to see how it can get the biggest share of students, we can make sure that the highest proportion of post 16 students stays in education."

In May, Malcolm Hainsworth, former chairman of the governors for York Sixth Form College, expressed his fears that the merger could reduce parental choice and lead to some staff resignations.

He also claimed an internal survey had shown the majority of staff were unhappy about the plan.

Mr Galloway said: "I think change is always a worry for people and can be seen as threatening."

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