More than 70 jobs at Croydon College are due to be made redundant as it looks to shave £4.2m from its spending.

The college had already frozen recruitment ahead of last week’s announcement, which caused consultations with staff to be launched on May 19.

Principal Frances Wadsworth said: “While we can’t avoid making painful decisions, the college is committed to being as transparent and supportive to affected staff as it can with this process, finding a way to protect the quality of our provision and our commitment to our learners in this age of austerity.

“It is also important to remember the vast majority of our staff will remain part of the college, doing what we do so well.”

Strike action is being balloted on at the Quest Academy Selsdon after it announced five teachers and several members of support staff would be made redundant.

Graham Cluer, a spokes-man for teachers’ union NASUWT, said, “As far as I am aware this is the first ballot for strike action in an individual school in Croydon.”