STUDENTS took to the picket line this week in an attempt to halt the 23 redundancies among lecturers at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Led by a group from the HND Business Studies course, daily protests over reorganised timetables and teaching cuts were held at the college gates.

Students claim they have had their tutoring cut by six hours a week and those with young children have been unable to find a place in the college's creches in the wake of the timetable changes.

One young mum, Sarah Walton, who is studying for a National Diploma in computer studies, said she was forced to take her three-year-old daughter Phoenix into class. Sarah added: "One of my seminars has been moved from Friday afternoon to Wednesday morning when the creche is full.

"I had no other option but to take her into class with me. The lecturer tolerated the situation but I felt terrible. It was very difficult for everyone.

"My timetable has already been cut by two hours a week and I ended up wasting the two hours of that seminar keeping an eye on my daughter."

Sarah said: "My education is suffering and my daughter shouldn't have to be forced to keep quiet for so long among a group of adults.

"The creche staff do an excellent job but students' timetables have been messed around so much that it is difficult for everyone to find a place."

Mature student and mother Lorraine Simpson, told me: "There is a great deal of confusion among the students.

"These protests were the only thing we could do. We're not a bunch of silly schoolchildren, we're adults with families and need this further education to get a decent job.

"We're not sure we'll have a course to go back to as our tutor, Annette Malpass, has been made redundant.

"This is a second chance for the mature students and we are having it taken away from us."

But Mike Austin, the college principal, said: "The problem with creche places has been brought to my attention but there are other facilities at the college, including financial provision for childminders.

"As far as their education is concerned, students have no need to be worried because we will ensure they have the chance to get their qualifications. It seems they have got half a story.

"We are not denying there are redundancies but we are not going to abandon courses halfway through."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I am appalled by the situation at Accrington and Rossendale College. My heart goes out to students and lecturers.

"As a result of the Further Education Funding Council's power over college budgets these establishments are now being run as businesses." Hyndburn Trades Union Council have backed college lecturers' vote of no confidence in management. Peter Billington, Hyndburn TUC secretary, said: "Our members have condemned the redundancies. This is what happens when further education is run as a commercial enterprise." Devastated lecturer Annette Malpass will step through Accrington and Rossendale College doors for the last time tomorrow (Friday) - just a week after she was told she was being made redundant.

Annette, who has worked in the college's business studies department for six years, said: "I have a brilliant relationship with my students. Those studying on my four courses don't have a clue who will teach them next week and don't yet know if their timetable will be effected."

She added: "The staff being made redundant in the art department can stay on until June. The only explanation I was given for my early departure was that it was in the best interests of the college. I, and other lecturers, are very proud of the stand the students are making."

Another lecturer I approached walked off saying: "I can't be seen talking to a reporter."

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