West Sussex Adult and Community Learning Service will be run as a new company called Aspire Sussex Limited from September – a separate organisation from West Sussex County Council.

It follows a decision by the County Council earlier this year for the Service to be taken over by a staff run social enterprise.

There will be a transition period during which Aspire Sussex Limited will work in close partnership with the County Council, and both organisations will continue to work closely to achieve local priorities.
The first board meeting for the new company has been held and Ros Parker, the County Council’s Service Manager for Adult and Community Learning, has been confirmed as the Chief Executive of Aspire Sussex Limited.

Cabinet Member for Education and Schools Peter Griffiths said: “These are exciting times for adult and community learning in West Sussex.

“I would like to reassure the Service’s 14,000 students across the county that the high standard of service provided and wide range of courses on offer will continue. Students will notice no change in the service they receive while the new company comes into being.”

Ros Parker said: “We are proud of our high quality service and aim to continually improve all that we do to provide the best outcomes for people.

“This is an exciting time for our organisation and the next step following incorporation will be to apply for charitable status to support the aims of the organisation, which include access to learning for all.

“We are keen to involve the local community in planning for the future of adult learning and are looking for additional trustee members who feel they could be an asset and support our development.”

For further information on becoming a trustee member, please contact Ros Parker on 01243 752819 or email ros.parker@westsussex.gov.uk

Article from West Sussex County Council