Most students to be spared arduous trip to college with Petroc merger

A MERGER between two colleges is expected to expand the number of students attending Petroc in North Devon by 800.

- ALISON STEPHENSON Local Democracy Reporter

Petroc College in Barnstaple will become part of the Exeter and North Devon College Group

The Barnstaple-based college, whose fortunes have turned around since it was rated as requiring improvement a year ago and facing a £1 million deficit, will join with the “outstanding” Exeter College in January, increasing opportunities for young people living in the north of the county.

The aim is to create the best “place based college in England” with all but a handful of courses available in both locations.

Leaders want Petroc to return to the student numbers of a decade ago so would need to increase the number of 16 to 18-year-olds by around 800, to 3,000.

They hope the merger will prevent North Devon students having to travel up to two hours on buses and trains to access their chosen further education courses.

Public transport issues were raised over the past week when trains were cancelled due to flooding issues between Barnstaple and Exeter, causing problems for hundreds of students who attend Exeter College from North Devon.