Tresham

North Northamptonshire steps up bid for new Higher Education Centres

20 Jul 2009

New Higher Education (HE) opportunities in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough are the ambitious targets for partners behind North Northamptonshire's University Challenge bid.

On 30^th June, a Statement of Intent was submitted by The University of Northampton to Government as the first stage of a bid for funding to expand and enhance HE provision in North Northamptonshire.

This represents the latest response from local partners to the Government's ‘New University Challenge', which was launched in March 2008 and aims to create up to 20 new HE centres by 2014.

The bid is being led by The University of Northampton, working in conjunction with the further education provider Tresham and the University of Bedfordshire, as part of a Higher Education Partnership (HEP) involving a number of key organisations and decision makers in the region.

The HEP which is co-ordinated by North Northants Development Company, is made up of the four Borough and District Councils (Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough), the County Council, Tresham, The University of Northampton, Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL) and Northamptonshire Learning and Skills Council.

The underlying longer term strategy of the partners is to expand access to HE across North Northamptonshire, improving both the capacity and take up of learning and training opportunities.

Over the last 12 months, working groups have gathered feedback from local residents, employers and current students at Tresham to guide this strategy and develop a coherent plan for delivering HE locally in all the boroughs and districts of North Northamptonshire.

The HEP believes increased access to HE is a vital ingredient that will ensure that the momentum of growth and regeneration already underway in North Northamptonshire is maintained.

Feedback on the Statement of Intent will be given by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in August 2009.

Simon Evans, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company, said:

"This is an important step forward in the bid process and we have submitted a document that is both clear on what can realistically be delivered in our area and also underlines the major benefits that funding would reap for local people."

Robert Emery, Director of External Partnerships at Tresham said:
"The partnership has put a major effort into developing the proposal.  It is clear that many potential students require local provision and the importance of part time as well as full time local provision is vital to the development of North Northamptonshire. The proposal is looking to develop an interesting Higher Education model for the community and I hope that we will progress to the second stage when HEFCE officials have had a chance to evaluate the merit and quality of the proposals."

David Wright, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, commented:
"This is an important priority in developing the progression of skills within the north of the county which will help to support the growth in knowledge economy jobs over the longer term."

Professor Peter Bush, Pro Vice Chancellor Academic at The University of Northampton, added:

"This innovative bid is the direct result of all members of the HEP working to a common vision to enhance opportunities for all learners in the north of the County. The University of Northampton is delighted to learn of the added stimulus to the bid through the approval by the Learning and Skills Council for the development of a new campus for Tresham in Corby."

ENDS

For further information on this press release please contact:

Robert Pine/ at ING MEDIA

T: 020 7247 8334

E: robert@ing-media.com