College group responds to social media claims of courses being stripped from Brooksby site
The operators of further education courses at Brooksby and Melton Mowbray say a Facebook post which claims most courses are being moved to other colleges out of the area is ‘deeply concerning and wildly inaccurate’.
Loughborough College Group was formed when SMB College Group and Loughborough College merged last year – it’s first major decision was put the Melton Mowbray college campus and theatre site up for sale to prioritise its education offerings at its sites at Brooksby, Coalville and Loughborough.
And Roma Frisby, who works for the Access All Areas organisation which guides local people on employment, careers and welfare, posted on her Facebook page on Friday that ‘deeply worried local parents’ had been informed by the college about courses being moved elsewhere.
She claimed in the post that ‘most, if not ALL non-farming and non-agri-tech courses are being completely stripped away from the Brooksby Campus’ and that ‘our young people are being forced out’.
This prompted a response today (Monday) from Loughborough College Group with a spokesperson commenting: “We would like to address a deeply concerning and wildly inaccurate Facebook post that has been circulating recently regarding the courses offered at Brooksby College and our Melton Campus.
“Most of what that Facebook post says is untrue.
“Some courses mentioned, such as Hairdressing & Barbering, Catering & Hospitality, Business & Enterprise, and Health & Social Care are not currently offered at these sites, and in many cases, have not been delivered at these campuses for some years.
“For a very small number of courses, there has been low demand at Brooksby, so we are switching delivery for new starters on Media, T level Early Years and Beauty to our other sites.”
The spokesperson added: “All affected students and parents have had robust communication regarding these minor changes.
"This gives students access to specialist facilities, industry-standard equipment, and enhanced opportunities.
“Our Construction and Early Years (Levels 1 & 2) courses will continue at Brooksby Campus, alongside our comprehensive Land-based and sport curriculum offer, while Performing Arts remains in Melton Mowbray.
“We understand this misinformation may have caused unnecessary stress and concern.
"For accurate, up-to-date information, please contact us directly, as our team is always happy to help.”
In response, Mrs Frisby said on her Facebook page that the college group’s statement confirmed her assertion that it was moving some of its courses to other sites.
She also said that the ‘low demand’ for some courses cited by the college group was attributed – in the most recent DfE/Ofsted inspection – to courses being moved from the Melton campus to Brooksby by the previous operators, SMB College Group.
Mrs Frisby said Melton students were unlikely to want to travel for the relocated courses to Loughborough or Coalville every day because they are 15 miles and 24 miles away, respectively, which would severely restrict their education opportunities.
Potential buyers are still being considered for the Melton campus site with bookings at the theatre guaranteed through until July 2027.
Discovery Trust is one organisation interested in taking on the site as an education centre for special education needs (SEND) students.