Sixth form to close due to fall in student numbers

A school's sixth form is to be closed to new admissions due to low student numbers in recent years, parents have been told.

Robin Ghosal, principal of Parkside School in Cullingworth, Bradford, said in a letter: "Our current Year 12 (next year's Year 13) will be the final Sixth Form cohort at Parkside."

The closure had been a "difficult choice", but the "post-16 landscape" had changed significantly and the school must adapt, Mr Ghosal said.

"We are wholly committed to wrapping around our Year 11 students to ensure that they each progress on to the best Post-16 pathway for their needs," he added.

The school would be "communicating with all of the local post-16 providers to support our students with their next steps", according to Mr Ghosal.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "The council has become aware of the decision/proposal to not offer places in Year 12 at Parkside School from September.

"[The council] is offering support through our SkillsHouse service to the young people and families affected by this decision to enable them to successfully progress into a suitable alternative."

The authority was continuing to work "closely" with the district's schools, colleges and training providers "to ensure all our young people have access to a high quality place in post-16 education that meets their needs and ambitions", the spokesman added.

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