Heythrop and St Mary’s enter partnership discussions

Heythrop College has announced it is in talks with St Mary’s University about forging a new partnership after struggling with a budget shortfall and fewer students.

The discussions could see the Jesuit-run college in Kensington, central London, relocate from its current base and come under the umbrella of St Mary’s, in Twickenham, south-west London.

Heythrop, a specialist theology and philosophy institute that is part of the University of London, has just 800 students compared with 950 five years ago. It is one of the oldest higher-education institutions in the country employing prestigious academics and has an impressive library ­collection.

St Mary’s, a former teacher-training college, only gained university status this year but has plans for expansion under its incoming vice chancellor Francis Campbell, a former British ambassador to the Holy See.

Both the governing bodies of Heythrop College, in Kensington, and St Mary’s University, in Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, have given the go-ahead for discussions about the “strategic partnership”.

“Heythrop and St Mary’s have much in common – they share a strong Catholic tradition, identity and ethos and are both London- based,” Fr Michael Holman, the principal of Heythrop, said. “They have a long and rich history of serving the Church and wider society, at home and abroad, and over the years have collaborated on a number of projects.”

In a statement, St Mary’s ­former principal and outgoing vice chancellor, Dr Arthur Naylor, said that a report was being drawn up on a possible partnership and this would be examined at meetings in September.

“Both institutions have agreed to examine the issues involved in a partnership in full over the coming weeks,” he said. “St Mary’s University and Heythrop College are clear that any partnership must be to the benefit of both institutions and for the greater good of Catholic higher education in the UK.”

Fr Holman stressed that whatever the outcome of its discussions with St Mary’s, Heythrop will “fulfil existing commitments to present and incoming students working towards University of London degrees”.

He added that Heythrop is continuing to explore possible opportunities within the University of London.

Fr Holman said: “Heythrop is investigating how we can sustain and develop our important ­mission.”