STUDENTS walked out of lectures at a Bury College on Monday in protest against cuts in education.

The action by students at the Stand Centre of Bury College came on the first day of A-level examinations. It was organised by members of the student council to highlight threats to learning. And there is growing unrest among staff angered by management posts being filled while senior teaching staff leave in droves.

Around 200, largely first year, students took part in the 20-minute walk-out (pictured).

Student Emma Priestley (17), said: "It's a protest about the future of further education. Too much money is going into administration at the expense of our education."

It was a view echoed by Jane Simister (17), who added: "We don't understand why there should be so many administrative staff at Market Street when we need more teachers here."

Many of the students expressed concern about the possibility of larger classes and university-style lectures.

"At this age we need more personal teaching. We need help to form ideas and find ourselves. To suggest large lectures are preparing us for university is an excuse," said Amy Iggulden (17). "It's the staff we are fighting for - they should not have to compromise. Teachers are being forced to sacrifice their principles and pushed into methods of teaching they disagree with.

"Many of our decent teachers are leaving because of the pressure. Students too are saying they don't want to stay at the college next year."

More protests are planned and student representatives hope to meet with Bury South MP Ivan Lewis to discuss their concerns.

Head of Faculty, Mr Ken Kerr, said the students would not be reprimanded over the protest.

He said: "They have made a protest about government action. We have to try and manage with the situation that exists. We either make the most of it or roll on our backs and give up."

He added: "Students have got the impression that teachers are being forced out, but there is no basis in fact for that."

Staff have been angered by the college taking out a half-page advertisement in the Guardian newspaper advertising for two management posts - one on £50,000 a year, the other £30,000.

But a college spokesman said the number of senior managers had fallen by 30 per cent in the last two years, and the posts advertised were vacant following retirements.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.