Welshpool sixth form under threat

It looks like Welshpool has another fight on its hands to save another vital service, with the high school set to lose its sixth form should one Powys County Council idea go ahead.

A review of post-16 education has concluded that one of the best ways moving forward is to centralise sixth forms in Newtown and Brecon to be run in conjunction with NPTC Group of Colleges and other external providers. It will also impact Llanfyllin and Llanfair Caereinion high schools.

The full press release issued last night by Powys County Council is published below. But last night, Welshpool councillors immediately took to social media to rally the troops.

Cllr Richard Church urged constituents to take part in the consultation, while Cllr Graham Breeze went one step further and said: “I have only just seen the paper which is scheduled for scrutiny and will need time to digest the implications for sixth form education in the Welshpool area should the proposals be accepted.

“Welshpool currently hosts the largest sixth form in North Powys so there will need to be an enormous amount of scrutiny around moves to move to a two-site base situation in Newtown and Brecon.”

Other county councillors for surrounding villages also alerted their constituents online with Cllr Lucy Roberts from Llandrinio stating: “I fear that increasing numbers of students from North Powys will favour crossing the border to receive their sixth form education in Shropshire. Newtown is just not the natural direction from the north of the county.”

Here is the Powys County Council press release in full:

The review, which sets a long-term vision for post-16 education in Powys, will be reviewed by the council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on May 2 before being received by the Cabinet on May 13.

The review sets out the challenges facing post-16 education in Powys and recommends reconfiguration of sixth form provision to achieve a critical mass of learners, to minimise duplication and improve resource allocation.

The review was driven by the need to improve outcomes for learners, provide equitable access to education, both for Welsh-medium and English-medium learners, enhance the curriculum offer as well as the need for financial sustainability. 

The review was set within the context of emerging new national developments and strategies.

It examined Powys school-based provision and does not affect other providers that deliver post-16 education in the county.

The review has identified three options to rationalise sixth form provision and recommends engagement with key stakeholders to support the development of a preferred way forward.

At this stage, options include a completely new model for post-16 provision which would see the establishment of post-16 centres in Newtown and Brecon, providing co-ordinated provision in partnership with NPTC Group of Colleges and other external providers.

As part of the engagement process, the council would gather feedback from a wide range of perspectives, including headteachers, learners, school staff, governors, parents/carers, Welsh Government and other stakeholders.

The learner voice would be central to the development of the preferred way forward to ensure any proposal best meet the needs of the county’s learners.

Cllr David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “While the review concludes that schools and partners are committed to delivering post-16 provision through the Powys Chweched Sixth initiative, significant change is needed if the county is to deliver a post-16 education that meets the vision set out in the Learner Entitlement Criteria and the aspirations of future generations.

“It is recommending that stronger collaboration is fostered between all providers to offer a broader range of courses and improve learner outcomes, that support local businesses and assist the development of emerging technologies.

“The review identifies several options that we should consider if we are to meet the demands of the future, including the creation of a two-centre post-16 model.

“Powys sixth forms have performed well in the past but need to significantly change to meet the demands of the future and deliver truly world class provision for future Powys learners. I am recommending we receive the strategic review and that further engagement is undertaken to support the development of a preferred way forward,” he added.