UP TO 70 teaching staff in Blackburn have been issued with their final redundancy notices.

Jobs from Beardwood Humanities College and Crosshill School, both Blackburn, have been made redundant under the council’s Building Schools for the Future, BSF, scheme.

Beardwood Humanities College is closing with pupils moving into the new Blackburn Central High School that is being built in Haslingden Road, Blackburn.

Crosshill School is also moving into Blackburn Central High School from September.

Earlier this month the headteachers at Beardwood Humanities College and Fernhurst School were given their final redundancy notices.

Teachers and support staff entered into a 90-day consultation as part of the major shake-up in the education system.

Maureen Bateson, who is executive member for children's services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Notices of redundancy have been issued to fit in with contractual timescales and ensure the end of May deadline for issuing of all notices can be met.

Some notices have been served at Beardwood Humanities College.

“Issuing of notices will continue through to the end of May”.

Lesley Ham, the NASUWT union’s negotiating secretary for Blackburn with Darwen, said; “The final notices have been handed to 60 to 70 employees at Crosshill School and Beardwood Humanities College.

“We are hoping that jobs for Ferhurst School staff will be saved.