John O'Gaunt sixth form to close

The news was announced in a West Berkshire Council document on school admissions and promises a “separate consultation” on the proposed measure.
Currently the school website states: “The sixth form is a successful and growing part of the John O'Gaunt community.... we offer a wide range of courses, tailored as far as possible to meet individual students’ needs.
“We encourage students attending our sixth form to aim high, and work very hard alongside them to help them achieve their ambitions.
“We are determined always to be a sixth form that young adults leave having achieved all they are capable of, academically, socially and culturally.”
Hungerford district councillor and school governor James Podger (Con) said: “The issues are lower pupil numbers and the number of pupils offered places elsewhere who feel they want to move because not enough of them are staying on to make the course worthwhile or sociable enough.
“The cost is incredibly high.
“These issues have been raised by the head teacher but this will be done in full consultation with parents and the broader Hungerford community.
“Everyone there at the moment will be offered a full education but it may be that, in future, there won’t be a sixth form.”
Earlier this year, plans for an ‘all through’ school for pupils aged four to 18 years were abandoned after a public outcry and claims from critics, including Hungerford town councillors, over a perceived lack of consultation.
Mr Podger said: “This is only the beginning of a process and it has to go out to wider consultation.
“There will be an open discussion. But it makes good sense, in my view.”
Head teacher Sarah Brinkley said: “The decision to suspend - not close - the sixth form has been a difficult one, but I know that it is something we had to consider when I first joined the school, because of the small number of students that stayed on, in an area rich in post-16 provision.
“Many of our children, having been highly successful in their GCSEs, are ready to make the move to larger colleges and schools, some are not.
“Having spoken with students, staff, interested parents and the local authority, the governors voted to consult formally, as is due process, on redesignating the school as an 11-16 school - a decision which can be reversed when the school is ready to reopen its sixth form.”
She added: “Our aim is to be an outstanding school – an outstanding 11 to 16 school would be just as great for the Hungerford community and families in the west of West Berkshire.
“We are now working with a small group of parents to discuss future options for our sixth form, and in school, we are making sure our amazing students are ready for the next part of their educational journey.”