Help shape the future of Further Education in Northamptonshire
Moulton College and Northampton College are consulting on proposals to create a single college group. The proposal would bring together the strengths of both colleges to create a stronger organisation that can continue to provide high-quality education and skills training for learners, employers and communities across the county.
No final decision on the merger has been made.
Your feedback matters
Whether you support the proposal, have concerns, or simply want to understand more about what it could mean, we encourage you to take part.
Every response received will be carefully considered and will help inform the final proposal.
Feedback gathered during the consultation period will help both colleges understand areas of support, concerns and priorities before any final decisions are made.
- Consultation opens: Monday 10 August 2026
- Consultation closes: Monday 21 September 2026
Submit your feedback on the proposed merger
Why are the colleges exploring a merger?
Both colleges have a strong track record of supporting learners, employers and communities. The proposal is based on a shared belief that by working together, the colleges could create a stronger college group with greater capacity to invest in learners, staff, facilities and innovation.
Building on success
This is a voluntary proposal.
Both colleges are financially stable, both are rated Good by Ofsted and both continue to strengthen their student experience, learner outcomes and financial performance. This proposal is focussed on the opportunity of creating a stronger future together.
What could the proposal achieve?
The proposal could:
- Enhance opportunities and progression routes for learners
- Increase access to specialist facilities and expertise
- Strengthen partnerships with employers
- Support economic growth across Northamptonshire
- Increase investment capacity and long-term resilience
There are a number of potential benefits for students including:
- Access to a wider range of opportunities across a larger college group
- Enhanced progression routes into apprenticeships, higher education and employment
- Greater access to specialist facilities and expertise
- Continued investment in learning environments, equipment and student support services
Any future decisions would continue to be guided by a commitment to providing the best possible experience for all learners.
The consultation document identifies a number of potential opportunities that could arise trough the creation of a larger college group. These include:
- Increased collaboration between teams and specialist areas
- Opportunities to share expertise and best practice
- Enhanced professional development opportunities
- Greater potential for career progression within a larger organisation
- Increased organisational resilience in a challenging funding environment
- Greater capacity to invest in staff, facilities and innovation
Any future organisation would continue to place learners at the heart of decision-making while recognising the vital contribution staff make to the success of both colleges.
The proposal could enable the colleges to work even more closely with businesses, helping to:
- Respond more effectively to skills shortages
- Strengthen apprenticeship opportunities
- Support workforce development and upskilling
- Align training provision with employer needs
- Create a more joined-up approach to skills across the county
We are particularly interested in hearing from employers about future workforce needs and how colleges can best support business growth and productivity.
Protecting the strengths of both colleges
The proposal includes retaining both the Moulton College and Northampton College brands.
Moulton College's specialist land-based reputation, heritage and distinctive curriculum offer would be retained and protected within the merged group structure.
Northampton College would continue to operate under its established name and retain its strong identity within the communities it serves.
The proposed group name would be:
Northampton & Moulton Colleges Group
How to take part
There are a number of public consultation events happening in September where you can find out more about the proposal and ask questions. View these events here.
You can also read the full Public Consultation document or complete the online survey form using the links below.
