A COLLEGE has scrapped four undersubscribed courses while students are in the middle of their A-levels.

Seevic College, in Thundersley, has written to students to tell them that French, Spanish, Religious Studies and Philosophy will not be running from the next academic year.

It means those who have already sat their AS level in the subjects will not be able to work towards a full A level.

An angry parent, whose son hoped to study philosophy at university, said the decision could ruin the teenager's future.

The dad, from Basildon, who did not want to be named, said: "He is getting straight As in all of his exams. He is a brilliant student.

"He was hoping to get a place at Oxford to do Philosophy but the school has destroyed his chances of this.

"We are all extremely upset by this news. It is shocking they have done this.

"The school is adamant that this is the right thing to do, but why can't they let him finish the course and then cancel it?"

He said he is currently trying to find an online course so his son can continue his A-level studies, but the options are available are proving expensive.

It is understood 12 students are affected by the four discontinued courses.

In the letter, assistant principal Sarah Chamberlain said the decision had been made "with regret" due to the four A-level courses being undersubscribed.

Concerned parents are encouraged to arrange a meeting with the college.

Dan Pearson, principal and chief executive of Seevic College, said: "Seevic College has taken the difficult decision to discontinue four undersubscribed A Level courses.

"It is no longer viable to run courses in French, Spanish, Religious Studies and Philosophy, due to the limited number of students applying.

"A small number of students affected have been invited to discuss an alternative programme in the coming weeks with the head of sixth form.

"This decision is in line with most Further Education providers across the country in order to meet Government guidelines around recommended class sizes.

"In addition to Government recommendations, the learning experience is not as productive in small groups and the richness of peer and social learning is weakened."

He added: "Seevic continues to offer a wide range of A Level, vocational, adult, higher education courses and apprenticeships.

"We continue to make sure the wide A Level offer we have is of high quality and gives our students the widest choice in the south east Essex area."