Harrow's further education colleges have responded to a study into a merger after news of the plan emerged last week.

A report from leading management consultants KPMG given to staff at Weald and Greenhill colleges two weeks ago concluded a full merger would be the best way forward for both, not least in tackling competition for students from colleges outside the borough.

In a joint statement issued this week, the principals of Weald College in Brookshill, Harrow Weald, and Greenhill in Lowlands Road, Harrow, said that their boards of governors:

o Had identified the need to respond to Government guidelines on collaboration;

o Wanted to build on their levels of achievement, and

o Had recognised that, although both colleges were on firm financial and educational footings, there were advantages to be gained from closer collaboration.

"The joint aim of the two colleges is to strengthen the further education on offer for young people and adults in Harrow," the college principals said.

"The colleges are, therefore, working to increase opportunities for lifelong learning in Harrow by working more effectively together."

Meanwhile, the principal of Stanmore College in Elm Park, Russell Woodrow, has issued his own statement defending his decision not to take part in merger discussions.

"We are a relatively small college, roughly the same size as most of the Harrow high schools, and we do not believe that larger colleges invariably meet the needs of students," he said.

It is thought unlikely that St Dominic's Roman Catholic college in Mount Park Avenue, Harrow-on-the-Hill, would be interested in a formal merger with Weald and Greenhill, although a closer working relationship is possible.

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