TWO major Somerset colleges have announced plans to merge in a further consolidation of further education in the county.

Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) and Strode College, in Street, are proposing a merger, to form a new College Group consisting of four colleges, called the University Centre Somerset College Group (UCS College Group).

Each college in the group; Bridgwater, Cannington, Taunton, and Strode, will “remain committed to delivering inspirational teaching, learning, and skills development, with students benefiting from the advantages of being part of a larger college group”, a spokesperson said.

Chairs of the boards of governors, Denys Rayner of BTC and Jane Viner MBE of Strode College, said: “The merger and creation of a College Group are strategic responses to the evolving educational and economic needs of Somerset.

“By combining our strengths, we can provide more comprehensive support to our students and staff, deliver enhanced services to employers, and more effectively contribute to the regional and national economy.

“Adopting the University Centre Somerset name for the college group is a deliberate step towards a bigger vision for the communities the college group will serve.”

The move comes after the former Bridgwater College merged with Somerset College in Taunton in 2016, to form Bridgwater & Taunton College.

University Centre Somerset, the higher education offer across all three campuses, was also launched that year.

A public consultation on the latest proposed merger and name change will open tomorrow (March 27) and run until April 30.

For more on the plans, and to take part in the consultation, vissit Strode-College.ac.uk or btc.ac.uk.