Forward-thinking investment’: Luminate chief executive welcomes £10m boost for Leeds post-16 places
Luminate Education Group chief executive, Colin Booth, has described a £10 million funding boost for Leeds as a “positive development” that could help address the city’s post-16 education capacity challenges – provided it is directed towards the areas of greatest need.
The funding, announced by the Department for Education (DfE), is part of a wider £322 million package, including £302 million in college condition allocations (FECCA) for colleges across England. The investment aims to support urgent repairs and improvements to college estates – such as fixing leaking roofs and deteriorating buildings – while also responding to a nationwide increase in student numbers.
Leeds and Greater Manchester were each awarded an additional £10 million in post-16 capacity funding to help them manage a significant surge in 16 to 19 year olds expected in 2025 – 26. In Leeds, projections show this age group will continue to grow until 2030, reaching close to 30,000 young people.
Colin welcomed the announcement, saying: “Today’s announcement represents forward-thinking investment that could benefit both the local economy and young people right across the city. Over recent years, post-16 capacity constraints in Leeds have resulted in growing numbers of young people being unable to access suitable forms of post-16 education.”
The funding is designed to ensure more students can access education and training opportunities, but Colin warned that investment must be targeted carefully.
He explained that while A level provision in the city is relatively abundant – sometimes leading to competition between sixth forms – there are still major gaps in access, particularly in disadvantaged areas: “In Leeds, there is an oversupply and competition between sixth forms for A level students. But in the most disadvantaged postcodes of Leeds, fewer than half of 16 year olds are able or want to study A levels. We need to prioritise expanding capacity in high-demand courses at Levels 1 and 2, and in technical areas like health and care – where the demand from learners and employers is greatest.”
The FECCA portion of the funding will be distributed to 179 college groups across England, based on factors such as recent learning hours, space requirements by subject, and local construction costs. Colleges will have discretion over how to use the funds to improve the condition and sustainability of their buildings, with an emphasis on meeting net zero targets and energy efficiency.
While the new investment marks a significant step forward, further action is likely to be needed in other regions also facing growing pressure on post-16 places. For Leeds, Colin’s comments underscore the importance of strategic planning that aligns funding with both local need and long-term outcomes.