THE merger of two colleges will create a single institution responsible for educating 15,000 students by March next year if a business case is approved.

The plan has been praised for “ensuring the sustainability” of provision of further education.

Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne and Sussex Coast College Hastings, which already have a close relationship, have formally announced their intent to create a single institution.

It follows a Government review last November into provision of further education, which recommended the colleges should explore a formal merger.

Henry Ball, chairman of Sussex Downs College, said: “At a time of unprecedented changes in the sector, the potential ‘merger’ is a first step of an ambitious programme for educational change that will give young people, employers and adults throughout East Sussex access to excellence.

“It will provide the highest level of qualifications and skills they need to achieve their ambitions.”

The Department of Education’s Sussex Area Review stressed the need to develop apprenticeships in the county, alongside the need to “secure the longer-term financial viability” of colleges.

Sussex Downs College offers full-time and part-time courses including A-levels, BTecs, apprenticeships and a wide range of vocational qualifications.

Its most recent Ofsted inspection graded the college “requires improvement”.

A total of 3,800 students aged 16 to 19 and 6,000 adult learners enrolled in 2016/17 across three sites in Eastbourne, Lewes and Newhaven.

Sussex Coast College now welcomes more than 1,800 young people and 4,000 adults from across Hastings and Rother every year to full-time and part-time academic and vocational courses.

Tony Campbell, chairman of corporation at Sussex Coast College who will be vice-chairman of the combined college, said his school was “committed to working collaboratively” with its partner.

He added: “The strategic alliance will ensure the sustainability and development of both colleges within their respective communities which they are committed to serving.

“We are also committed to improving the economic prosperity, life chances and wellbeing of every person in both communities and across East Sussex.”

Further talks are planned to examine the business case for a formal merger and if successful the new college will launch on March 29, 2018.

In April, City College Brighton and Hove combined with Northbrook College.