THE UNIVERSITY for the Creative Arts (UCA) has announced plans to close its entire age 16-to-18 Further Education (FE) provision – as well as the permanent closure of its Rochester campus.

UCA’s Farnham campus is, itself, not believed to be under threat. But the Herald understands up to six jobs in Farnham – all part-time FE course leaders – are at risk.

Although the 172 students currently attending the Farnham campus for FE will be able to complete their courses, the closure will deny future generations of Farnham’s 16-year-olds access to UCA courses.

The UCA’s FE courses are mainly centred around the UAL Diploma, offering an early entry into subjects such as film-making, photography and fine art.

Across all UCA campuses, 149 jobs are believed to be at risk – including 36 permanent staff and 55 ‘sessionals’ (hourly-paid staff) involved in the FE provision.

In a statement on its website, the UCA expressed regret at having to close its Rochester campus “as courses are aligned to our other campuses in Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham”.

And it confirmed it will be “stepping back as a FE provider” to “refocus our efforts on being a global creative university”.

But Charles Lambert, UCA Farnham lecturer and branch secretary of the university and college union, believes the university is “missing an opportunity”.

He added: “There is a lot of interest in vocational post-16 education at the moment. The government has recently launched its T-Levels, and a lot of those are in subjects we could deliver, such as sustainable buildings and digital skills rather.

“Staff are devastated. There was a lot of sweeping cuts two years ago, and to have more only two years later is quite a shock.”