Basildon College boss Chris Chapman said today he had no plans to resign.

The embattled principal vowed to stand firm after demands he step down by the two unions who represent nearly all of the college's staff.

The college was plunged into further crisis a fortnight ago when Mr Chapman announced up to a third of staff could face the axe.

He blamed the redundancies on a decline in demand for traditional courses. However, college staff said poor management was behind the decision.

Now both Unison and the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education have demanded he walk. They have also urged Basildon MP Angela Smith and Basildon Council to intervene.

A NAFTHE spokesman said: "Members at the college have declared a vote of no confidence in Mr Chapman and called for his resignation."

"The shock announcement that one third of college staff may be made redundant is a disaster for the local community and is an indictment of poor management."

Unison, which represents about 30 staff, has backed these calls.

The college was given a year to improve standards after a poor interim report by the Futher Education Funding Council shortly before Christmas. Bosses appealed against the report's findings.

Mr Chapman said: "The fact is that there are tough decisions to be made and staff on the ground feel very hurt about what's going.

"I sympathise with that but my first responsibility is to the students and to provide a first class curriculum."

Basildon MP Angela Smith said she was happy to meet with college staff.

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