End in store for adult education?

5:05pm Monday 12th June 2006

SIR - I am appalled at Bradford College's treatment of adult education students in Wharfedale, and the proposed closure of Burley Grange.

Students have not been provided with facts as to: the course programme in Ilkley; the cost of the courses; when the 2006/07 prospectus will be available; the reasons why changes are being proposed, particularly as similar changes are not being proposed by Shipley or Craven Colleges.

I understand the proposed transfer of courses to Ilkley is impossible because of the constraints on the number of people permitted to be inside Bridge House at any one time. Which courses are to be axed?

Fees will be subsidised for courses in Bradford but courses in Wharfedale will not - this is discriminatory.

Courses in Bradford will be accredited but courses in Wharfedale will not - this is further discrimination.

We are told the demise of Burley Grange is intended to be cost-saving, but the reduction in courses will result in reduced income and therefore increased losses.

Bradford College has only a short lease on Bridge House. This appears to be the first phase of a plan to terminate all adult education classes in Wharfedale.

Colin Lugton, The Coppice, Ilkley.

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