Keele University has hosted senior leaders from its five partner colleges to celebrate joint collaborations over the past year, discuss future projects and strengthen relationships.

Colleagues from Shrewsbury Colleges Group, Telford College, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, Stoke-on-Trent College and City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College joined Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Professor Mark Ormerod, along with Director of Global Student Recruitment and Admissions (GSRA), Robbie Pickles, and colleagues from the University.

The event, held at Keele Hall, was aimed at strengthening links with leading further education providers in the region and discussing options for future projects. So far, more than 1,000 applications for September 2024 entry to Keele have come from the partner group.

Highlights of the past 12 months include graduation and awards ceremonies, T level CPD (Continuing Professional Development) events on campus and the Keele Business School academic experience day for curriculum leaders. Overall, Keele has delivered more than 200 outreach activities with the five colleges, co-ordinated through GSRA and working with colleagues across the University to deliver.

Professor Ormerod said: "Keele signed partnership agreements with this group of five colleges a year ago, looking to support their students with their development and progression to higher education. It's been fantastic to see how much the partnerships have developed in just 12 months. Strong partnerships with our local further education colleges are vital to help bridge the gap between further and higher education and are integral to our outreach offer. 

"It's been great for us all to get together and reflect on what has gone well over the last 12 months, and to think about how we can take things forward in the future and deliver more fantastic opportunities for learners and our local communities."