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Million-pound college cuts

7:04am Thursday 24th May 2007

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FUNDING cuts of £1 million at Warrington Collegiate will lead to courses for hundreds of vulnerable students with learning disabilities and mental health problems being axed.

Around 50 staff in the supported learning department will also lose their jobs and courses taught at dozens of day centres will end.

Bosses at the college, which prides itself on its Equal Opportunities policy, told shocked staff that curriculum changes' were being made because not enough of the students, some of whom have Down's Syndrome and schizophrenia, were getting jobs when the courses finish.

"The funding comes from the Learning and Skills Council and they're saying because we can't show progression in the workplace, there's no point funding other courses," one tutor told the Warrington Guardian.

"They think further education is only about gaining a job, that if you can't get a job at handover, you have failed. Only a small proportion go on to find employment but the benefits to their self-esteem, confidence and well-being are immeasurable - that's what has driven us all this time."

Around half of the department's staff were told at a meeting called by the principal, Paul Hafren, last Wednesday, that they would be asked to take voluntary redundancy. The rest, many of whom were teaching off-site, had to learn of their fate from colleagues.

Our source said people were absolutely gob-smacked' by the news, having jumped through hoops' to help the college earn a grade two in a recent Ofsted inspection.

The courses, which include vocational subjects such as IT, woodwork, maths and English and therapeutic ones such as yoga and tai chi, will cease in September.

Hundreds of 16 to 90-year-olds, some suffering from clinical depression, others recovering from strokes, will be left without the special tuition they need.

Mainstream courses are expected to be more popular than ever before, the Collegiate having spent £27m on a new building to attract students from a wider area.

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Reggie Perrin, Appleton says...
9:26am Thu 24 May 07

Bad start for the new-look Collegiate, isn't it?
Those poor people who will have no courses to attend.
I hope the staff are able to find new jobs.

Report this post »

Reggie Perrin, Appleton says...
9:26am Thu 24 May 07

Bad start for the new-look Collegiate, isn't it?
Those poor people who will have no courses to attend.
I hope the staff are able to find new jobs.

Report this post »

Reggie Perrin, Appleton says...
9:26am Thu 24 May 07

Bad start for the new-look Collegiate, isn't it?
Those poor people who will have no courses to attend.
I hope the staff are able to find new jobs.

Report this post »

Reggie Perrin, Appleton says...
9:26am Thu 24 May 07

Bad start for the new-look Collegiate, isn't it?
Those poor people who will have no courses to attend.
I hope the staff are able to find new jobs.

Report this post »

Reggie Perrin, Appleton says...
9:26am Thu 24 May 07

Bad start for the new-look Collegiate, isn't it?
Those poor people who will have no courses to attend.
I hope the staff are able to find new jobs.

Report this post »

JB, Fairfield & Howley says...
9:49am Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of dissatisfied staff at the college - because of cuts from the LSC, but also due to mismanagement from Warrington Collegiate. The cuts from the LSC, together with simultaneous cuts from Warrington PCT have hit community courses very hard and the college has done very little to help prepare previously successful projects for these changes. This has meant that some talented and enthusiastic staff members have been lost to the college and the community.

Report this post »

JB, Fairfield & Howley says...
9:49am Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of dissatisfied staff at the college - because of cuts from the LSC, but also due to mismanagement from Warrington Collegiate. The cuts from the LSC, together with simultaneous cuts from Warrington PCT have hit community courses very hard and the college has done very little to help prepare previously successful projects for these changes. This has meant that some talented and enthusiastic staff members have been lost to the college and the community.

Report this post »

JB, Fairfield & Howley says...
9:49am Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of dissatisfied staff at the college - because of cuts from the LSC, but also due to mismanagement from Warrington Collegiate. The cuts from the LSC, together with simultaneous cuts from Warrington PCT have hit community courses very hard and the college has done very little to help prepare previously successful projects for these changes. This has meant that some talented and enthusiastic staff members have been lost to the college and the community.

Report this post »

JB, Fairfield & Howley says...
9:49am Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of dissatisfied staff at the college - because of cuts from the LSC, but also due to mismanagement from Warrington Collegiate. The cuts from the LSC, together with simultaneous cuts from Warrington PCT have hit community courses very hard and the college has done very little to help prepare previously successful projects for these changes. This has meant that some talented and enthusiastic staff members have been lost to the college and the community.

Report this post »

JB, Fairfield & Howley says...
9:49am Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of dissatisfied staff at the college - because of cuts from the LSC, but also due to mismanagement from Warrington Collegiate. The cuts from the LSC, together with simultaneous cuts from Warrington PCT have hit community courses very hard and the college has done very little to help prepare previously successful projects for these changes. This has meant that some talented and enthusiastic staff members have been lost to the college and the community.

Report this post »

Lyndsey FLoyd, Warrington says...
11:11am Thu 24 May 07

This has just come at the wrong time as my mother is one of the staff members who works on them courses and might have to find a new job. this has not help as i am due to go to university in Spetember which means i will have problems trying to find enough money to go.

Report this post »

Lyndsey FLoyd, Warrington says...
11:11am Thu 24 May 07

This has just come at the wrong time as my mother is one of the staff members who works on them courses and might have to find a new job. this has not help as i am due to go to university in Spetember which means i will have problems trying to find enough money to go.

Report this post »

Lyndsey FLoyd, Warrington says...
11:11am Thu 24 May 07

This has just come at the wrong time as my mother is one of the staff members who works on them courses and might have to find a new job. this has not help as i am due to go to university in Spetember which means i will have problems trying to find enough money to go.

Report this post »

Lyndsey FLoyd, Warrington says...
11:11am Thu 24 May 07

This has just come at the wrong time as my mother is one of the staff members who works on them courses and might have to find a new job. this has not help as i am due to go to university in Spetember which means i will have problems trying to find enough money to go.

Report this post »

Lyndsey FLoyd, Warrington says...
11:11am Thu 24 May 07

This has just come at the wrong time as my mother is one of the staff members who works on them courses and might have to find a new job. this has not help as i am due to go to university in Spetember which means i will have problems trying to find enough money to go.

Report this post »

harry peterson, warrington says...
4:57pm Thu 24 May 07

At last week's warrington rugby league game, the collegiate had sponsored a box and a player. Now they are complaining about cuts in funding! Why doesn't anyone investigate this?

Report this post »

harry peterson, warrington says...
4:57pm Thu 24 May 07

At last week's warrington rugby league game, the collegiate had sponsored a box and a player. Now they are complaining about cuts in funding! Why doesn't anyone investigate this?

Report this post »

harry peterson, warrington says...
4:57pm Thu 24 May 07

At last week's warrington rugby league game, the collegiate had sponsored a box and a player. Now they are complaining about cuts in funding! Why doesn't anyone investigate this?

Report this post »

harry peterson, warrington says...
4:57pm Thu 24 May 07

At last week's warrington rugby league game, the collegiate had sponsored a box and a player. Now they are complaining about cuts in funding! Why doesn't anyone investigate this?

Report this post »

harry peterson, warrington says...
4:57pm Thu 24 May 07

At last week's warrington rugby league game, the collegiate had sponsored a box and a player. Now they are complaining about cuts in funding! Why doesn't anyone investigate this?

Report this post »

Confused, says...
7:31pm Thu 24 May 07

The possible cut in funding was announced last year by the LSC - why has it now come as a shock to staff at the collegaite? The collegiate are not responsible for this, the government are.

Report this post »

Confused, says...
7:31pm Thu 24 May 07

The possible cut in funding was announced last year by the LSC - why has it now come as a shock to staff at the collegaite? The collegiate are not responsible for this, the government are.

Report this post »

Confused, says...
7:31pm Thu 24 May 07

The possible cut in funding was announced last year by the LSC - why has it now come as a shock to staff at the collegaite? The collegiate are not responsible for this, the government are.

Report this post »

Confused, says...
7:31pm Thu 24 May 07

The possible cut in funding was announced last year by the LSC - why has it now come as a shock to staff at the collegaite? The collegiate are not responsible for this, the government are.

Report this post »

Confused, says...
7:31pm Thu 24 May 07

The possible cut in funding was announced last year by the LSC - why has it now come as a shock to staff at the collegaite? The collegiate are not responsible for this, the government are.

Report this post »

concerned, says...
8:30pm Thu 24 May 07

The tutors in Community learning department of the Collegiate do a wonderful job. They enrich the lives of the students they teach.
They help to make their students feel valued- give them confidence and allow them a voice.
It is hard enough to live with a disability , they do not want to feel rejected by the goverment and the funding body, too

Report this post »

concerned, says...
8:30pm Thu 24 May 07

The tutors in Community learning department of the Collegiate do a wonderful job. They enrich the lives of the students they teach.
They help to make their students feel valued- give them confidence and allow them a voice.
It is hard enough to live with a disability , they do not want to feel rejected by the goverment and the funding body, too

Report this post »

concerned, says...
8:30pm Thu 24 May 07

The tutors in Community learning department of the Collegiate do a wonderful job. They enrich the lives of the students they teach.
They help to make their students feel valued- give them confidence and allow them a voice.
It is hard enough to live with a disability , they do not want to feel rejected by the goverment and the funding body, too

Report this post »

concerned, says...
8:30pm Thu 24 May 07

The tutors in Community learning department of the Collegiate do a wonderful job. They enrich the lives of the students they teach.
They help to make their students feel valued- give them confidence and allow them a voice.
It is hard enough to live with a disability , they do not want to feel rejected by the goverment and the funding body, too

Report this post »

concerned, says...
8:30pm Thu 24 May 07

The tutors in Community learning department of the Collegiate do a wonderful job. They enrich the lives of the students they teach.
They help to make their students feel valued- give them confidence and allow them a voice.
It is hard enough to live with a disability , they do not want to feel rejected by the goverment and the funding body, too

Report this post »

markmac, Warrington says...
9:11pm Thu 24 May 07

The management at the Collegiate must be doing a good job if they have got a Grade 2 from Ofsted. Its hard times at the moment getting people into work is never a bad thing. Why can't social services fund these programmes?

Report this post »

markmac, Warrington says...
9:11pm Thu 24 May 07

The management at the Collegiate must be doing a good job if they have got a Grade 2 from Ofsted. Its hard times at the moment getting people into work is never a bad thing. Why can't social services fund these programmes?

Report this post »

markmac, Warrington says...
9:11pm Thu 24 May 07

The management at the Collegiate must be doing a good job if they have got a Grade 2 from Ofsted. Its hard times at the moment getting people into work is never a bad thing. Why can't social services fund these programmes?

Report this post »

markmac, Warrington says...
9:11pm Thu 24 May 07

The management at the Collegiate must be doing a good job if they have got a Grade 2 from Ofsted. Its hard times at the moment getting people into work is never a bad thing. Why can't social services fund these programmes?

Report this post »

markmac, Warrington says...
9:11pm Thu 24 May 07

The management at the Collegiate must be doing a good job if they have got a Grade 2 from Ofsted. Its hard times at the moment getting people into work is never a bad thing. Why can't social services fund these programmes?

Report this post »

Pete M, Great Sankey says...
9:15pm Thu 24 May 07

My son went to the Collegiate the staff there are amazingly supportive, he never did well at school but is now at University. Give them a break it's the government not the college making these decisions

Report this post »

Pete M, Great Sankey says...
9:15pm Thu 24 May 07

My son went to the Collegiate the staff there are amazingly supportive, he never did well at school but is now at University. Give them a break it's the government not the college making these decisions

Report this post »

Pete M, Great Sankey says...
9:15pm Thu 24 May 07

My son went to the Collegiate the staff there are amazingly supportive, he never did well at school but is now at University. Give them a break it's the government not the college making these decisions

Report this post »

Pete M, Great Sankey says...
9:15pm Thu 24 May 07

My son went to the Collegiate the staff there are amazingly supportive, he never did well at school but is now at University. Give them a break it's the government not the college making these decisions

Report this post »

Pete M, Great Sankey says...
9:15pm Thu 24 May 07

My son went to the Collegiate the staff there are amazingly supportive, he never did well at school but is now at University. Give them a break it's the government not the college making these decisions

Report this post »

christine rudd, latchford says...
10:00pm Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of comments about the staff at the College-what about the students with disabilities? I work in Wigan for the Council's Supported Employment Service finding jobs for people with Disabilities-we have a proven track record within the Wigan and Leigh Borough. The College should work with other agencies to find employment for people with disabilities before the end of their college courses. Someone with a disability can and should have the chance to prove themselves at work, to show their abilities, to develop in confidence and maturity just as the rest of us have. Referrals to a Supported Employment Service can and does work.

Report this post »

christine rudd, latchford says...
10:00pm Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of comments about the staff at the College-what about the students with disabilities? I work in Wigan for the Council's Supported Employment Service finding jobs for people with Disabilities-we have a proven track record within the Wigan and Leigh Borough. The College should work with other agencies to find employment for people with disabilities before the end of their college courses. Someone with a disability can and should have the chance to prove themselves at work, to show their abilities, to develop in confidence and maturity just as the rest of us have. Referrals to a Supported Employment Service can and does work.

Report this post »

christine rudd, latchford says...
10:00pm Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of comments about the staff at the College-what about the students with disabilities? I work in Wigan for the Council's Supported Employment Service finding jobs for people with Disabilities-we have a proven track record within the Wigan and Leigh Borough. The College should work with other agencies to find employment for people with disabilities before the end of their college courses. Someone with a disability can and should have the chance to prove themselves at work, to show their abilities, to develop in confidence and maturity just as the rest of us have. Referrals to a Supported Employment Service can and does work.

Report this post »

christine rudd, latchford says...
10:00pm Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of comments about the staff at the College-what about the students with disabilities? I work in Wigan for the Council's Supported Employment Service finding jobs for people with Disabilities-we have a proven track record within the Wigan and Leigh Borough. The College should work with other agencies to find employment for people with disabilities before the end of their college courses. Someone with a disability can and should have the chance to prove themselves at work, to show their abilities, to develop in confidence and maturity just as the rest of us have. Referrals to a Supported Employment Service can and does work.

Report this post »

christine rudd, latchford says...
10:00pm Thu 24 May 07

There are a lot of comments about the staff at the College-what about the students with disabilities? I work in Wigan for the Council's Supported Employment Service finding jobs for people with Disabilities-we have a proven track record within the Wigan and Leigh Borough. The College should work with other agencies to find employment for people with disabilities before the end of their college courses. Someone with a disability can and should have the chance to prove themselves at work, to show their abilities, to develop in confidence and maturity just as the rest of us have. Referrals to a Supported Employment Service can and does work.

Report this post »

David J Hilton, St Helens says...
11:55pm Thu 24 May 07

This is nothing short of shameful. These students have a right to learn just like everyone else.

Report this post »

David J Hilton, St Helens says...
11:55pm Thu 24 May 07

This is nothing short of shameful. These students have a right to learn just like everyone else.

Report this post »

David J Hilton, St Helens says...
11:55pm Thu 24 May 07

This is nothing short of shameful. These students have a right to learn just like everyone else.

Report this post »

David J Hilton, St Helens says...
11:55pm Thu 24 May 07

This is nothing short of shameful. These students have a right to learn just like everyone else.

Report this post »

David J Hilton, St Helens says...
11:55pm Thu 24 May 07

This is nothing short of shameful. These students have a right to learn just like everyone else.

Report this post »

Outraged & Angry, Warrington says...
12:09pm Fri 25 May 07

Its outrageous that the most vulnerable members of our community have been singled out to suffer as a result of these funding cuts! So what happens to my daughter now? She is one of the students with learning disabilities. She feels that she is working extremely hard at her course & that she is a valued member of the college community. Should I tell her not to bother going to college now as they don't really want her there any more?

Report this post »

Outraged & Angry, Warrington says...
12:09pm Fri 25 May 07

Its outrageous that the most vulnerable members of our community have been singled out to suffer as a result of these funding cuts! So what happens to my daughter now? She is one of the students with learning disabilities. She feels that she is working extremely hard at her course & that she is a valued member of the college community. Should I tell her not to bother going to college now as they don't really want her there any more?

Report this post »

Outraged & Angry, Warrington says...
12:09pm Fri 25 May 07

Its outrageous that the most vulnerable members of our community have been singled out to suffer as a result of these funding cuts! So what happens to my daughter now? She is one of the students with learning disabilities. She feels that she is working extremely hard at her course & that she is a valued member of the college community. Should I tell her not to bother going to college now as they don't really want her there any more?

Report this post »

Outraged & Angry, Warrington says...
12:09pm Fri 25 May 07

Its outrageous that the most vulnerable members of our community have been singled out to suffer as a result of these funding cuts! So what happens to my daughter now? She is one of the students with learning disabilities. She feels that she is working extremely hard at her course & that she is a valued member of the college community. Should I tell her not to bother going to college now as they don't really want her there any more?

Report this post »

Outraged & Angry, Warrington says...
12:09pm Fri 25 May 07

Its outrageous that the most vulnerable members of our community have been singled out to suffer as a result of these funding cuts! So what happens to my daughter now? She is one of the students with learning disabilities. She feels that she is working extremely hard at her course & that she is a valued member of the college community. Should I tell her not to bother going to college now as they don't really want her there any more?

Report this post »

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