BRADFORD’S current system of sixth forms limits the choices of the district’s young people, a committee has been told.

A review of post-16 education carried out earlier this year suggested that Bradford has too many small sixth forms, and suggests larger sixth form colleges would improve choice and performance.

The issue was discussed by Bradford Council’s children’s services scrutiny committee tonight, when members revealed they had mixed views on the future of future sixth form and college provision.

The committee was told that out of the 103 A-level subjects nationally, only 46 were available in Bradford sixth forms.

The review had proved controversial to some, particularly the naming of 19 schools in the district with sixth forms of 250 pupils or fewer which were described as being “financially unviable”.

These concerns were shared at the meeting, but some councillors admitted the smaller, school based sixth forms limited choice.

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe), said: “I welcome this report, I would have welcomed it 20 years earlier.

“I think the arrangements for post-16 education in Bradford have always been in the self interests of secondary schools who wanted their own sixth forms, against the best interests of the young people. The advice they often give the students isn’t independent or impartial.”

Tom Bright, the secondary school representative on the committee, said: “We should be talking about the achievement of these schools rather than their finances. The Council should be ashamed by saying these sixth forms are unviable.”

Phil Hunter, the Council’s interim head of education, said: “In this review we are not advocating for the closure of any sixth forms, We are just asking schools to consider the future of their provision.

“When you look at the situation, there are lots of small provisions, and this is restricting the choice for local young people.

“Decisions on the future of any schools would be made purely by the governors of those schools.”

He told the committee that the Department for Education recently gave permission for new sixth form colleges to be opened in Bradford by the Dixons Academy chain, and New College Pontefract. There would also be a sixth form at a new girl’s secondary school to be run by the Feversham Trust.

The committee agreed to note the report, but expressed concern about some of the wording used within it.