Organisation takes control of college

Ashford College has been placed into education administration.

Bosses of West Kent and Ashford College (WKAC) made a request to be placed into financial management, which was approved by the High Court on Friday.

The further education establishment’s accounts will now be controlled by BDO LLP, an accountancy and business advisory firm.

The organisation will settle the institution’s debts while trying to minimise disruption for the existing students, in particular those with special educational needs.

The Hadlow Group, which runs the college in Elwick Road, has had a difficult 12 months after both chief executive Paul Hannan and deputy chief executive Mark Lumsdon-Taylor were suspended amid an investigation into its finances.

The administration request came after the Further Education Commissioner - who recommends what actions college governing bodies could make to improve performance - recently recommended East Kent College Group should take on its provision and facilities in Ashford, and for North Kent College to be responsible for those in Tonbridge.

WKAC revealed it had asked the government to lodge a claim on its behalf last Thursday.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “The Education and Skills Funding Agency will continue to work closely with the administrators and with West Kent and Ashford College to minimise disruption to staff and students, and to deliver a longer term solution to protect the provision of Further Education in Kent.”

Ashford College has entered administration