A FORMER student at a Baildon school has written to councillors about his concerns that many sixth form schools in the district have been judged “unviable.”

A recent review of Bradford’s sixth form provision claimed there were too many small sixth forms in the district, and suggests replacing them with larger colleges could improve educational performance.

The review was held due to reductions in national funding for post-16 places, which could leave smaller sixth forms struggling financially. It lists 19 sixth forms that are deemed “unviable” because they have fewer than 250 pupils. It does say this does not mean the schools are “financially inefficient.”

It suggests that to improve post -16 school results, these sixth forms could close and schools collaborate to provide larger sixth form centres.

Later this month the council’s children’s services scrutiny committee will discuss the review for the first time.

Some have criticised parts of the review, including James Slater, who attended Titus Salt School in Baildon, one of the sixth forms deemed “unviable.”

Although now a student of the London School of Economics, he has submitted a representation that will be read at the committee meeting on October 12.

He says: “I do agree with parts of the report, which challenge some of the problems currently existing within the provision.

“Guidance of choice needs to improve for students, especially those who don’t yet know their career path. I also concur that course choice can be limited at sixth forms in Bradford, but have reservations as to how the blame is being apportioned in this report.”

In response to the suggestion that smaller sixth forms might consider closing, he said: “It is ill thought-out, sets a dangerous precedent and goes against what the council should be doing.”

Titus Salt head Ian Morrell said: “I agree with James that sixth forms should be judged on their performance.

“I feel it is unfortunate that the council report looks to judge sixth forms in financial terms rather than on the value they bring to educational provision for young adults.

“Our sixth form is a vital part of our success and we will continue to look at ways to expand our provision and offer more opportunities for our students.”

Michael Jameson, Strategic Director of Children’s Services, said: “The world of work is changing and we need to improve outcomes for our young people by making sure they have access to post-16 education that gives them the qualifications they and employers need. At the same time, cuts in government funding mean that many schools and colleges face big challenges in offering economically viable courses.

“We’re developing a new direction for post-16 education in partnership with businesses, schools and academies, colleges and Bradford University. It is about finding ways in which we can work together to provide a wider range of high quality courses across the district that are sustainable.

“How sixth form provision is ultimately delivered rests with the schools themselves, the council cannot instruct them what to do.”

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