STUDENTS at Richmond Adult College have voiced fears that coursework and exam results will suffer following the sacking of a popular lecturer earlier this month.

Andrew Garside, course team leader for social science and interpersonal skills at the Parkshot college, was dismissed last month following a disagreement over his management style and exam pass rates.

The 43-year-old is currently appealing against the decision and says he will take the matter to an employment tribunal if he is not reinstated.

One student, Marina Kuzina, said she had been 'flabbergasted' by the college's decision. Sue Mason, whose son was studying A-level psychology under Mr Garside's tutelage, said he had been 'very, very upset indeed'' by the disruption.

She said: "My son is very upset. He loved the course and we will write to every governor to say so."

A stand-in teacher has been brought in but Mrs Mason said: "We do not know if he is going to stay as Andrew is appealing and we do not know whether or not he is coming back."

Some lectures and private tutorials have been cancelled and many students face disruption in their studies during the run up to their exams.

Marina Kuzina, who is on a one year access course, said: "We are facing an exam in a week's time and we are all extremely nervous about how we are going to manage."

The 41-year-old mother went on to say: "It is absolutely unbelievable that he has been sacked because he is one of our favourite tutors. We really loved him. He was very giving and extremely knowledgeable. He was also an excellent course manager."

Last November the college was visited by inspectors from the Learning and Skills Council - the body which funds further education and some adult courses.

The inspectors base much of their reports on annual pass rates and the NVQ in early years and education, run by Mr Garside was not meeting the set targets.

Mr Garside claims this was mainly because Richmond college allows its students five years to complete the NVQ, thus accounting for the slow pass rate.

He said: "One of the issues raised was that I was ill prepared for the inspection, and because of that, we received a bad inspection report in one subject area which is childcare.

"I have been asking for more assessors for over two years. That has been the reason our students have not been completing within the year. Since the inspection, the college has finally taken on more assessors."

During the 18 month disciplining period before his dismissal, the lecturer was also criticised by senior staff for not responding to students' telephone calls and letters.

College principal, Christina Conroy, is refusing to comment on the matter, but issued a statement: "Following a disciplinary procedure lasting 18 months, RACC has dismissed a member of teaching staff. The college is unable to comment at this stage since the member of staff has the right to appeal and this procedure should not be hindered in any way.

"In a situation like this, college management are bound by confidentiality rules not to discuss the facts of disciplinary cases. This means that the individual concerned can misrepresent the situation without the college having redress.

"The principal has written to all the students affected and had the opportunity to meet with some of them at a recent meeting to listen to their concerns.

"The college is working with the students to set up individual action plans and is committed to ensuring that their success is not impaired by this decision."

Mr Garside, who lives in Richmond, had been a tutor at the adult college for four years.

He first worked in the printing industry before retraining as a psychologist in '92 and then going on to become a teacher.