The decision to close the sixth form at Neale-Wade Academy will impact pupils who will have to travel further for their education, and prevent them having continuity at their local school. It will also impact more widely, for example some teachers are attracted to schools where they can teach at sixth form level, so the decision affects teacher retention and recruitment.
I have reached out to the school following contact from a number of parents to offer my support as we seek a solution to retain the sixth form. A key question should be how can we best work with those studying in other years, particularly those studying their GCSEs in Years 10 and 11, to make changes to increase demand for places in the sixth form. Students and parents also need more information around numbers this year, and the support that will be offered if the closure goes ahead.
Unfortunately, neither the Principal or Chair of Governors is available to meet with me either today or tomorrow, or any day next week during half term, as they have other commitments. I hope to meet with them during the week starting February 24th. However, if their schedules permit an earlier date, I have informed them that I am available at their earliest convenience due to the urgency of this issue.
In the meantime it is important that the voices of students are heard and placed at the heart of any decisions. As a result I have added a survey below for any students, parents, and others linked to the school to provide the most up to date information on demand for the sixth form, and what will best help retain a sixth form at Neale-Wade. It would be a mistake not to find a solution to reverse this damaging decision.
More widely, a number of other issues have been raised with me where the information currently available needs to be clarified, and I will continue to follow up on these points in the days ahead.