A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of Kidderminster Academy which could be dumped by cash-strapped Birmingham Metropolitan College.

BMet, which runs the skills and entrepreneurial centre, is reviewing its education provision in Kidderminster at the request of the FE Commissioner and Education and Skills Funding Agency - just months after being hit with a third 'requires improvement' rating by Ofsted.

Cliff Hall, who took over as acting principal and CEO at BMet after Andrew Cleaves left the organisation in September, said: "The review is being led by the FE Commissioner's team. The plan is to make any recommendations by April."

The FE Commissioner's team is believed to be consulting with bosses at Halesowen and Dudley Colleges regarding interest in the Stourbridge and Kidderminster campuses.

Kidderminster College has also been consulted as part of the review and Mr Hall said: "We are consulting all of our local stakeholders, staff and students.

"Any changes will only be made with the agreement of the BMet board of governors.

“Our overriding priority is continuity of provision for our students."

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier said: "I am deeply concerned about the situation, but it is not entirely surprising that this has happened. The academy has never been a huge success an they never reached the targets that they wanted.

"The priority is seeing if we can get provision for the academy students."

Andy Dobson, principal at Kidderminster College, said: "We are aware of the situation facing BMet, and we have offered our full support in helping to deal with it.

"We will increase our capacity to ensure that, as far as possible, learners and courses at BMet sites in and around Kidderminster are not adversely affected."

Based in an old industrial building nicknamed the Piano Building, Kidderminster Academy offers a wide range of vocational courses and apprenticeships for school leavers specialising in art and design, fashion and retail, animal care to hospitality, catering, hair and beauty and university level study.

BMet also runs a Football Academy in association with Kidderminster Harriers Football Club which gives sporting students chance to develop their football skills and achieve a recognised sports qualification.