Sixth form pauses intake over low demand and costs

A school has said it will not take any new students into its sixth form in September due to a lack of demand and increasing costs.

Unity Schools Partnership said its decision to "pause" new admissions into Year 12 at Felixstowe School in Suffolk would be "kept under review".

Current Year 12 and 13 students would be unaffected and could complete their courses as planned, the spokesperson added.

"The decision reflects the current low number of sixth form students and concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of the provision," they said in a statement.

"At present, the cost of delivering the sixth form significantly exceeds the funding it generates, requiring subsidy from lower school budgets."

The trust said Year 11 pupils would be given guidance and support to secure places at other providers in the area, such as Suffolk One and Suffolk New College.

The trust said it would keep the decision to pause recruitment under review if demand for places increased.

"The priority remains ensuring high-quality teaching, a broad and balanced curriculum and strong pastoral support for all Felixstowe School pupils," it added.

Correction: This article originally said that East Anglian Schools Trust has decided to close the sixth form in Felixstowe School in Suffolk. However the school is pausing new admissions, which will be kept under review, and so we have removed references to the sixth form closing. We have also amended the story to remove the reference to East Anglian Schools Trust, which is not in charge of Felixstowe School, and make clear that this decision was taken by Unity Schools Partnership.

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