Staff and students at York College have hammered out a compromise after timetable changes brought about by last year's merger threatened to cause headaches for students who live outside York.

From September, the college day was set to be extended by 30 minutes, but this was changed to 15 minutes when it was found it would cause problems for students catching buses home to Malton, Selby and other locations.

But one student has written to the Evening Press claiming other changes will damage the social side of college life and force students to waste time during unnecessary breaks.

Hayley Bell, of Beckfield Lane, Acomb, said: "Starting from next year we will have a staggered lunch hour and for many students it means missing lunch with certain friends. The social side of college life is important."

Hayley also expressed concern about ten minute breaks to allow students to transfer between sites which she says are unnecessary for the majority, who have all their lessons on one.

Mike Galloway, college principal, said: "The social side of college is important but I don't think a staggered lunch hour is going to seriously inhibit those social friendships.

"It is a much better use of facilities and staffing which has been brought in successfully at many other schools."

In terms of the breaks between lessons, he said: "In the immediate post-merger situation most students are on one site or another.

"But next year we believe from applications that we will have a number of students who will be combining academic and vocational studies on both sites."

Hayley went on to express fears about job losses.

The college is planning to make 103 redundancies across the two sites.

Mr Galloway said around 45 full time positions are expected to go and final discussions are taking place at the moment concerning redundancy packages.

Hayley said: "I can only see the disadvantages in terms of increased class sizes and lower- quality teaching."

Mr Galloway said: "The major concern of the governors and senior management is that we don't reduce the high-quality provision for which we have earned a reputation - that would be suicidal."

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