STAFF redundancies could be in the pipeline at Tavistock College, as the school, one of the town's biggest employers, considers its finances for the coming year.

The college, placed into special measures by education watchdog Ofsted a year ago, has faced a difficult 12 months.

The previous principal, Colin Eves, left just before the result of its Ofsted inspection was released — Okehampton College principal Daryll Chapman took the helm for two terms and changes took place within the management of the school.

In a statement released to the Times this week, new principal Helen Salmon made no comment on rumours regarding redundancies.

But she said: 'In keeping with all schools, Tavistock College is starting to prepare its budget for 2011/12 in a climate of public sector austerity and is beginning preliminary talks with staff and trade unions.'

Tavistock College received an encouraging interim report from Ofsted inspectors just before Christmas, who said the school was 'steadily improving'.

Ms Salmon, who helped standards at her previous school, St James College in Exeter, rise to become the most improved in the South West, has vowed to make Tavistock College an 'outstanding school'.

Tavistock College is one of the biggest secondary schools in Devon, with around 1,800 students and some 350 staff.