Town's college campus set to transfer ownership

A university has announced plans to transfer one of its colleges in Staffordshire to another education provider.

The Buxton and Leek College (BLC), part of the University of Derby, is in talks with Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) about transferring its Leek campus.

The university said it had reached a provisional agreement on the deal, which would see the Stockwell Street site transferred in August.

A public consultation on the plans was launched on Monday and runs until 28 April.

A spokesperson for the university said it was exploring options for the future of the Leek campus to ensure it was "fully aligned with the government's place-based national higher-level skills agenda".

They added that the move would help them commit to north Derbyshire.

"Since 2012, Buxton & Leek College (BLC) has been part of the University of Derby Group, proudly delivering a diverse range of post-16 study programmes across its campuses," they said.

"We are currently engaged in strategic discussions with Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group and have reached a provisional agreement which would see us potentially transfer ownership of Leek to them by 1 August 2025."

The discussions were only related to the Leek campus, the university said.

"The experience and achievement of our students is of paramount importance, so intrinsic to our plans will be the assurance that they would be supported throughout any changes and experience no disruption to the quality of their education or opportunities," the spokesperson added.

Craig Hodgson, principal and chief executive of NSCG, said feedback received during the consultation period would be carefully considered before a final decision was made.

"We see the transfer as an opportunity to establish a presence in Leek and deliver our proven model of academic excellence to the Leek community," he said.

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