Richmond: the future

Things are looking bleak in the world of FE and at Richmond in particular. While no definite or clear proposals have yet been tabled, a strategy document prepared by the principal has been circulated recently to all staff. In this document the principal sets out his summary analysis of the current financial position of the college and sketches his picture of the future shape of the college. According to this document there is a funding shortfall in the current year and one anticipated for 2010-2011. The document notes that the savings needed to cover the shortfall ‘imply the equivalent of the loss of 60 posts.’ Further savings are identified as necessary in 2010-2011, which implies the need to make savings equivalent to the loss of an additional 20 posts.

The principal’s longer term ‘vision for the future’ is cast in light of the prevailing economic and political climate. He thinks it makes sense to have a much smaller college, with the overall numbers of students we accept being reduced from the 4,200 we have now to somewhere between 2,400 and 3,200. He believes that there will still be places for some students from outside the borough of Richmond, but in smaller numbers.

The immediate financial situation and the longer term strategy are separate issues. As things stand we have not been provided with sufficient information to judge the seriousness or extent of the proximate funding problems. A question arises as to whether that the extent is exaggerated or whether a real crisis looms as a result of poor management.

As for the longer term vision, three things are clear. First, in the document we have sight of, the claim that the college should become smaller and more focused on in-borough students is not supported by detailed or rigorous analysis. Second, the character of our inclusive college will inevitably change. Third, such a reduction in student numbers, perhaps aligned to changes in the timetable, entails a reduction in staff that goes beyond the redundancies mentioned earlier. This is hardly the college which, for all of its problems, has integrated a fine academic record with an ethos and mission of diversity and inclusion.

We are naturally very concerned about the impact of any changes on our conditions, the educational experience of current and future students and on the very nature of the college. We are in the process of asking a number of questions, which we regard as necessary to properly understand both the immediate financial position of the college and the longer term strategy.

Notwithstanding the doubts I have about the need and motivation for the kind of changes which seem in the offing, at this stage it’s worth correcting some of the more widespread, mistaken impressions which have been expressed either on websites or to members of staff.

The principal has not stated that he wishes to make 80 teachers (around a quarter of the teaching force) redundant. He will not rule out compulsory redundancies, and it seems likely that a number of teachers will lose their jobs, but this number may be significantly less than 80, and it is more likely that all teachers will be required to teach more classes.

The principal has not stated that he only wishes to admit Richmond students to the college. He believes it is realistic to think in terms of a much smaller college which focuses on the needs of Richmond students, but some places will still be available for non-Richmond students.

It is not the case that only teaching jobs may be lost. The principal anticipates it will be mainly teaching posts which will go, but some support staff are also likely to lose their jobs.

Of course, not stating something is not to rule it out or necessarily to diminish its likelihood.