In the fourth of a special series of reports, Will Ockendon looks at plans for a new university, and how it could boost the prospects of people in our area.


A university is a great symbol of learning and prosperity – a symbol glaringly absent from our area.

Many in north Northamptonshire see the challenge to secure a university as vital to building prosperity and skills in an area that has been described as suffering from a 'brain drain'.

That means these are exciting times for the area, with an important meeting set to take place on May 20 between county leaders and Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham, when the bid will be discussed.

Championing the bid for a new university is Tresham Institute principal and chief executive Mark Silverman, who put forward north Northamptonshire as an ideal site for one of the 20 new campuses proposed in a Government paper titled University Challenge.

Mr Silverman and others including Kettering MP Philip Hollobone, Corby MP Phil Hope, and Kettering and Corby council leaders, are proposing a site in either Kettering or Corby. It is certainly a good thing that so many people from the area are on board with the bid, but presenting a united front may be the best thing for the area as a whole.

Some, such as Mr Hope, have come out backing only their own town, while others such as Kettering council leader Jim Hakewill and Mark Silverman called for a joint bid by north Northamptonshire.

Asked about his reasons for leading the bid, Mr Silverman said: "It is about raising the aspirations of young people in north Northamptonshire."

"It is also about choice, giving young people a chance to have a high quality, higher education experience without having to move away from home."

He says the area is a 'cold spot' for education and skills, with Corby in particular having one of the lowest levels of further education in the country.

Mr Silverman and others believe that a university will go a long way to getting the county up to speed.

There is no doubt that there needs to be progress to keep pace with the huge amount of development planned over the coming years. This development will bring new people, and if they are to be properly provided for, companies and investment need to be attracted to north Northamptonshire as well. A university would help to do this.

Mr Silverman said: "I think a university would have the potential to have an absolutely huge impact.

"A successful university or higher education centre needs to work in true partnership with people, schools and employers to make sure that they are encouraging young people to get those higher-level skills."

The benefits will be there for both younger and older people, with potential for part-time courses for those in work.

This could mean more skills and qualifications for people across the north of the county, giving them access to better paid and more secure employment.

And Mr Silverman feels that these skills will in turn attract more business.

He said: "The other part of the jigsaw puzzle is about working with employers so they can fill their vacancies with more skilled workers."

Joan Kirkbride, county council cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We want pupils to see students in their town and think 'I would like to do what they are doing'.

"They should be aspirational role models for younger children."