A NEWPORT AM said plans to close a foundation art course at the University of South Wales were "disappointing" following a meeting with staff.

Newport East AM John Griffiths met with fine art lecturer Edward Jeavons and course leader Charles Penwarden to discuss their concerns.

USW announced last September that its Caerleon campus was to close, with teaching to finish at the site in summer 2016.

The art and design course’s five members of staff were informed not to recruit students for next year and their jobs are to go this summer, following the course’s conclusion on June 12.

Mr Griffiths, who, himself, attended the Nash campus at Newport college of further education as a student, said: "Second chance education gave me the opportunity to have a career.

“It’s very disappointing, as there’s such a tradition of excellence at Newport University in foundation art and art provision.

“We need to see a strong commitment to continue to develop that provision in Newport.

“We need a renewal of commitment to second chance education and how the university will take it forward in Newport.”

Despite hopes that a recent meeting with Vice-Chancellor Julie Lydon would lead to a reversal of this decision, the five members of staff on the foundation course have received redundancy notices.

Future students now face travelling to Crosskeys for the nearest alternative course.

Lecturer Edward Jeavons said: “The university still draws 60 per cent of its students from the local community but it seems willing to turn its back on large sections of that community by closing this course.

“The alternative course being suggested is at Crosskeys, which is simply too far for many people living in Gwent to get to.

“The university has consistently used the argument that this course is more commonly found in FE institutions which simply isn’t true.”

A spokesman for USW previously said: “As part of our strategic portfolio review the university has decided to focus the university’s provision at Level 4 (Higher Education courses).

“The same course is also delivered locally by Coleg Gwent and indirectly the university’s withdrawal from this subject area will help secure the viability of foundation art and design in the region.

“This takes nothing away from the passion and dedication with which staff have delivered this course. We accept that this is disappointing news for them, but we will work with them to try and find an acceptable outcome at this difficult time.”