A COLLEGE in the region has scrapped A-Levels to focus on vocational qualifications.

South Tyneside College has decided to stop offering the academic courses from September this year.

Instead it wants to focus on giving students the "best possible" chance of success.

About 90 students and 17 lecturers are set to be affected by the changes.

School-leavers who want to take A-level courses will now have to fight for a place at two other sixth forms in South Tyneside or have to travel to neighbouring Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead or North Tyneside.

A South Tyneside College spokesman said: "We have decided to reshape, strengthen and expand our curriculum to focus on vocational education that meets the needs of employers and universities.

"We strongly believe this will provide our students with an excellent and 'best possible' career route into higher education and employment.

"This means we are replacing our A-level provision with more vocational-led courses."

Students who have applied to take AS-levels in September will be offered vocational alternatives.

Those who are due to start the second year of their A-levels will be able to complete their studies at the South Shields college.

Business lecturer John Heywood, branch secretary of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU), said staff have been told they will be redeployed.

He added: "I think it is tragic that we lose our gold standard provision. These are the courses that will get students into university. I think it is an absolute tragedy for the borough, the college, students and staff."

The number of students taking A-levels at the college has dwindled from almost 300 in 2009 to just 48.