More than 70 school sixth forms have closed over the past three years, or are due to shut imminently, as funding cuts bite, new data reveals.
“Inadequate” funding could force even more school sixth forms to close in the upcoming years as heads struggle to make ends meet, sector leaders have warned.
Figures from 88 councils, which responded to Freedom of Information requests from Tes, show that 47 school sixth forms have closed in three years and there are consultations over 25 more closures.
It came as a report this week revealed that funding for sixth forms and further education colleges in England has been slashed by almost 16 per cent since the start of the decade.
The report, from think tank Education Policy Institute (EPI), suggested school sixth forms had been especially hard-hit with a funding drop of 26 per cent in the period from 2010-11 to 2018-19.
James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA), told The Independent: “The main reason why so many schools are closing their sixth forms is that the funding for this age group is completely inadequate.”
The SFCA is calling on the government to boost funding in the spending review. Mr Kewin said: “Without this, more school sixth forms will close, but much more importantly, our young people will not receive the sort of high quality education they deserve."
Last year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) revealed that that funding per student in sixth forms has fallen by more than a fifth (21 per cent) per student since 2010-11.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “It is not surprising sixth forms are closing and it is likely more will follow.”
He warned that the low level of funding made it difficult to sustain smaller sixth forms, which has led to reductions in local provision and student choice as pupils are taught in fewer and larger centres.
“The government either did not see this coming, despite our repeated warnings, or it has always been conscious this would be the outcome but doesn’t think it matters,” Mr Barton added.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We recognise 16 to 19 funding is challenging and we’re looking carefully at it in the run-up to the next Spending Review
"In the meantime, we continue to allocate further funding for specific needs such as an extra £500m for providers to support disadvantaged students.
“Overall, we are investing almost £7bn during 2018-19 to make sure there is a place in education or training for every 16 to 19‐year old who wants one which has contributed to the record high proportion this age group currently participating in education or apprenticeships."
