Christine Braddock, recruited on a pound;100,000-plus a year contract, did not attend a corporation meeting on September 21. Although she had met staff at the start of the new term, it is understood she never signed a contract. She is now back at her old post as principal of Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham.

In her short tenure in office she had already angered senior management and staff with proposals to scrap a number of A-level courses, including those for students about to start their second year. They were to be advised to go elsewhere, though the courses have since been saved.

Ms Braddock said: “The reason for me not taking up the appointment was that I didn’t actually hold a contract with Barnsley. The circumstances surrounding Barnsley and Matthew Boulton and the priorities on both sides required me to stay at Matthew Boulton.” She said she had never been more than a “prospective principal”.

In a statement the college said that “due to unforeseen circumstances the proposed new principal, Christine Braddock, is not to take up the post at Barnsley College. We are obviously disappointed, but are now looking for a new principal”.

The Learning and Skills Council South Yorkshire said it was exploring the possibility of a temporary appointment if necessary.

Dave Gibson, assistant secretary for lecturers’ union Natfhe at the college, said: “The main feeling among staff is confusion. We still don’t know what is happening and have demanded a meeting.”

Last month the Serious Fraud Office launched an investigation into the liquidation of Progress Training - a subsidiary of Barnsley College.

Former principal David Eade was dismissed in March on grounds of “incapacity to undertake the duties of the post”. Temporary principal Dr Helen Gilchrist left in August to return to Bury, at the end of a six-month contract.