Other school sixth forms find themselves under pressure to hold onto students as the post-16 options available to them are changing. Neil Watts, the former headteacher of Northgate High School in Ipswich, is an education consultant. Although some sixth forms obviously carry on shining, it’s like Bungay High School for many coming up against existential threats, he writes.
Bungay High School recently announced that it will not offer provisions for Year 12 students in the upcoming academic year. This decision reflects a wider story which is increasingly impacting school sixth forms up and down the country. Watts points out that these philological institutions have suffered immensely. These challenges stem from a deliberate move towards bigger sixth form colleges and centres that started in the early/mid-noughties. These colleges are equipped to welcome tens of thousands of 16-to-19-year-old students. Their provision includes a broad range of A-levels, technical courses and vocational qualifications.
Watts explains that the structural changes made to the provisions of education have affected what kind of education students receive. He pointed out that the pressure brought to bear on the educational standards affecting sixth forms has barely raised the tone across the country. Moreover, he stated, “There are pros and cons… I don’t think it does the general quality of education any good.”
The move to sixth form colleges comes with its own challenges for school sixth forms. Watts underscores the challenge schools will have in recruiting high-caliber staff. These highly sought after educators need to be knowledgeable about students of all ages and abilities. He remarked, “For example, you may not be able to attract the same quality of staff because certainly I looked to appoint staff who could teach right across the age and ability range, and the staff wanted to do it from Year 7 right through to Year 13.”
The impact of sixth form closures goes further than just the schools themselves. Watts cautioned that this proposed change would lose the positive impact on the broader school community, as students would look for other school options. Renewing provision Bungay High is making big efforts to support its impacted Year 12 students in finding appropriate provisions at other institutions.
