Ms Chapman questioned why there would be possible redundancies when the college’s reserves had grown from £38m to £59m over the last five years, but went from a surplus of £200,000 in 2021 to a deficit of more than £4m.

Mr Tucker said the college, which has campuses in Truro, Penzance and Bodmin, currently has £6m reserves but they could not be used to remove the deficit budget and cuts were needed.

He said: “These efficiencies will take place right across the college and every level of teaching, lecturing, management and support.”

He said the college would not reduce what it delivered but would “deliver it more efficiently” to return to an operational surplus within the next two years.

In an email to parents and carers Mr Tucker said he was “committed to minimising any impact on the curriculum”.

The principal said he had met teaching unions earlier this week and was set to have another meeting next week.