Colchester Institute managers were accused of "breathtaking arrogance" for not consulting the public about plans to axe jobs and cut courses.

More than 100 people packed a public meeting last night (Monday) to show their disgust at the way the proposed changes to the curriculum had been handled.

Leader of Colchester Council Bill Frame called for crunch talks with the management and governing body to avert the "catastrophe".

And MP Bob Russell who chaired the meeting at the town hall, pledged to talk to the Government Education minister.

"The Department for Education should be making urgent inquiries into what's happening. Students do not know where they are and this is clearly wrong", he said.

The meeting was called by National Association for Teachers of Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) on behalf of the general public who turned out in force.

No-one from the management or governing body attended.

Vivienne Sullivan, a concerned Colchester resident, was greeted with cheers and applause when she said: "We are seeing what appears to be breathtaking arrogance and contempt for the people of this town.

"The governing body are accountable and they should be held accountable."

The changes at the Institute - designed to sharpen the college's focus on vocational courses - mean traditional courses such as full-time A-level courses would be lost.

The plan was backed by governors after the college failed to meet recruitment and retention targets for two years running.

Mr Frame said: "I am concerned that we seem to be getting into a situation where a large gap is going to appear in the framework of our education in Colchester. It could be a catastrophe for the town."

A Colchester Institute spokeswoman said: "We were aware of the meeting taking place but it was a public meeting and not organised by the Institute. As yet no specific issues have been raised following the meeting with us."

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