School plans to remove sixth form provision

Wardle High School is planning to shut its sixth form.

Governors at the school are proposing to close the sixth form at the end of August 2012.

The proposals have been posted in a letter on the school’s website.

In the letter the reasons for the closure are given.

The letter reads: “In recent years the school has become increasingly successful at GCSE. Nonetheless, like many other 11-18 schools, it has found that at aged 16 many of its students are drawn to the sixth form colleges of Oldham, Bury and now Rochdale.
“Currently at 100 students the sixth form is not viable.

“Future projections suggest that by 2011 the number may have fallen to 76, and at these levels we are unable to offer the range of subjects expected of a sixth form, without it seriously affecting the quality of teaching and learning of the rest of the school.

“Given the Governors efforts to raise standards, and their ongoing determination to continue to raise standards, this is a situation that cannot be allowed to happen.

“In addition, changes to funding and the post-16 commissioning arrangements effective from April 2010 have further facilitated against the retention of a small sixth form.

“The school estimates that if all courses were to be commissioned there would still be a financial shortfall next year of approximately £300 000, and that this would be repeated for each year into the foreseeable future. The school cannot transfer this sum away from the 11-16 budget nor can it find this sum from another source.

“Whilst the Governors’ remain confident that they can maintain the school’s provision as an 11-18 school until August 2012, they will not be able to fund courses beyond that point.”

The Sixth Form would close on 31 August 2012. There would be no admission to Year 12 in September 2011. Those students currently in the sixth form will be able to continue their courses into Year 13 without interruption at Wardle.

A meeting has been arranged at 6pm on the 12 January 2011 at the school, where questions about the proposal can be asked.

Wardle and West Littleborough Councillor, Ashley Dearnley, said: “I was involved in getting the sixth form set up in the first place and it is sad that it is going. It has served many pupils very well but the situation has changed and the governors are doing what is best for the school.”

The Local Authority is the legal decision maker for this proposal. To object to the proposal or make a comment you must do so by 21 January 2011. Any person may make comments by sending them to: Chris Swift, School Organisation and Development Team Leader, Schools Service, PO Box 70, Municipal Offices, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1YD, or by e-mail to chris.swift@rochdale.gov.uk