Angry parents, pupils and college staff have protested against the planned closure of the only performing arts course in the Sutton.
The move would leave new students with nowhere to go in the borough and three teachers moved elsewhere.
Carshalton College, in Nightingale Road, announced to its pupils and staff last Monday the two-year course was under threat and could close in September, leaving new students with no other course in the area to transfer to.
The teachers joined protesters and the union at the front of the college. A petition has been started to try to halt the college’s plans.
A source from the college said: “They are closing it because of financial cuts, we’ve been told.
We’re trying to negotiate, but since we don’t know what’s going on we can’t make any suggestions about cost-cutting to save our jobs and department.
“The Charles Cryer theatre in Carshalton is going to suffer as well, because we pay them more than £70,000 a year to rent their premises for classes and now they are going to lose that.”
Dave Charmley, the father of 17-year-old first-year pupil Chase, is heading the protest against the closure of the course.
He said: “This is the only performing arts course in the area. My daughter was meant to start her second year in September, but I don’t know what she’s going to do now.
“The only option is the Brit school in Croydon, but it’s too expensive.”
Parents and teachers are also said to be puzzled about the college’s £4m plans to expand teaching areas, update the sports hall and build three dance studios.
Mr Charmley said: “What are they going to use the dance studios for, now there won’t be any performing arts classes? It doesn’t sound right.”
Pupils from Bishopsford Community School, which specialises in performing arts and prepares students to join the college, also joined the protest.
A spokeswoman for Carshalton College said: “If the decision was taken to close the Performing Arts department, existing students would not be affected as the college will continue to operate the second year of the current two-year programme into next year.
“However, the college would not recruit new students to Performing Arts courses. Carshalton College values its staff and would identify suitable alternative roles elsewhere in the college for the three members of staff affected.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here