Students will continue to be the losers unless Bradford stops debating change and goes ahead with reform of sixth forms, an independent expert says.

Stronger sixth forms will survive but small and poor-performing ones could see their funding withdrawn.

At the moment 1,000 students per year choose to stay on in the sixth forms of schools condemned by Ofsted as failing or with serious weaknesses. This is not in their best interests, the report says.

Dr Terry Melia, a consultant, was asked by the Learning and Skills Council to carry out a review of courses for 14 to 19-year-olds in the district.

His 120-page report backs existing plans to join up groups of schools into collaborative 'federations' to cut duplication of sixth form courses.

But it warns that if this doesn't work a more radical solution - such as sixth form colleges - will be imposed by Government.

The number of Bradford teenagers in education or training after 16 is among the lowest in the country. They are often funnelled into inappropriate A-level courses and many drop out.

Employers interviewed by Dr Melia complained school leavers did not have the right skills or attitudes to work. And even more damningly, employers' perceptions are that local schools are not good enough for the children of staff who move to Bradford to take up positions. As a result they often buy homes outside the area or send their children outside Bradford's boundaries for schooling.

The report warns that by agreeing to work in federations, schools had to be prepared to put their own interests aside. Success depended on "the willingness of schools to work collaboratively, particularly when rationalisation threatens their own provision, or hinders their own interest. Ultimately a single post-16 institution may emerge as the sensible way of organising post-16 education," the report says.

Councillor David Ward, executive member for education, said: "We welcome Dr Melia's report and its conclusions, and will be working with our partners to secure better provision for post-14 students."