MP calls for investigation of plan to close school's sixth form

WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has called on the borough council to investigate the governance of Culcheth High School in the wake of the school announcing proposals to close its sixth form.
The MP (pictured), who lives in Culcheth, wants to know what actions the school governors took to tackle the problem of falling numbers of sixth form pupils and why they did not make known the problem sooner.
She said: “Whilst the number of pupils enrolling for 11–16 provision has remained solid, the numbers staying on in post 16 education have plummeted in the last couple of years.
“When the announcement was made by the governors that they proposed to close the sixth form it came as a huge shock to the local community and the elected representatives from all political parties.
“Why was the problem of falling post-16 numbers not flagged up at a much earlier stage by the governors? What actions were taken to try to tackle the problem and attract more students?
“In short, what were the governors doing and why did they seemingly keep the problem such a secret? Could more have been done to try to reverse the situation?”
The MP said in 2008-09 the school had 132 post-16 pupils. The following year it had 143 and in 2010-11 it had 186 – although this number was unusually high as it included pupils who enrolled that year at a football academy hosted by the school.
In 2011-12 it fell to 124, in 2012-13 it fell to 92 and in 2013-14 it slumped to 57.
Ms Jones added: “I believe that the council needs to investigate what has been happening at the school and that means look at the role of the governors in this matter.”
When it was revealed, last year, that the governors had voted 8-0, with five abstentions, to consult on closing the sixth form, a number of factors were blamed – the increasing popularity of colleges such as
Priestley College, Warrington, Winstanley College, Wigan and Warrington Collegiate, plus the opening of a sixth form at Birchwood High School, which had recently acquired Academy status.
In a statement, the governors said: : “The fall in student numbers in the sixth form, combined with the national reduction in funding for each student has meant that it has become increasingly difficult for Culcheth High School to offer the range of subjects and the learning experience that students deserve.
“There are an increasing number of providers of post-16 education in the area and Culcheth High School students have a range of choices when it comes to selecting a place to study.
“We will continue to support all our students in securing the best and most appropriate provision at the end of Year 11.”
If the sixth form at Culcheth closes it will not be until the summer of next year, allowing current Year 12 and 13 students to complete their studies. But there would be no admission of Year 12 students from
September.
As Culcheth High is a community school, the consultation process is being led by Warrington Bborough Council.
A decision on the future of the school is likely to be made by the council’s executive board in May.