Trust axes sixth form as student numbers decline

Three years after launching sixth form provision, Wixams Academy in Wixham, Bedfordshire, has pulled its Year 12 sixth form for September due to low enrolment numbers, the Bedford Independent has reported.

The secondary school, which opened in 2017 as part of the Bedford Colleges Academy Trust, is now a member of Knowledge Schools Trust.

Headmaster Nathaniel Wilson said the decision as a “bittersweet moment” especially as the school has just reported its best-ever A-level results.

Wilson added: “We were anticipating around 68 children to enter the sixth form this year, but 35 children who were offered places made the decision to study elsewhere, which is very disappointing.”

Wilson said last week his senior leadership team made more than 50 phone calls to families to try to convince enough pupils to remain, but said many of them were choosing a dedicated “college environment”.

On a Facebook post the Conservative councillor for Wixams and Wilstead ward Marc Frost wrote: “When around 50 students initially consider staying, and fewer than 10 ultimately enrol, the answer cannot simply be that there were not enough students.

“We need to understand where the other 40 [pupils] went, and more importantly, why they went.”

Frost revealed that parents had voiced concern to him about the sixth form’s strict environment, smaller study spaces, small cohort sizes and the appeal of other choices.