Feedback from an autumn inspection, seen by The TES, said leadership and management were unsatisfactory and the college gave “unsatisfactory value for money”. The college is also battling to keep its Investors in People status.

The report criticised the uncertainties facing staff many of whom have the threat of redundancy hanging over them. Weymouth wants to shed 40 staff though it hopes these will be voluntary redundancies.“Many are under notice of redundancy, some for the second time in three years,” it said. This, coupled with the college’s poor financial condition, had created an “unstable situation”.

However, most courses were satisfactory or good though literacy and numeracy standards were unsatisfactory. “New approaches to teaching have been introduced without adequate preparation and training. Leadership and management are poor,” it said.

Inspectors said Sue Moore, the (new?) principal, and her deputy provided “clear and decisive leadership” but “much remains to be done to achieve satisfactory governance and management”.

Weymouth parents have formed an action group to lobby their MP and the Learning and Skills Council because they fear standards will suffer because of redundancies.

Pauline Sly, Weymouth’s director of planning and resources, said staff were “very upset” by some of Ofsted’s comments. “Evidence has proved that general provision is satisfactory... but there is room for improvement.

This is being tackled now.”

Ms Moore said the radical restructuring of the college would give it “a solid base” to continue.