THE FATE of the sixth form at Seaford Head Community College (SHCC) has been announced.
A decision to close it has been made following a full governing body meeting on July 7.
Angry parents and pupils protested against the plans when principal Lynton Golds broke the news in October last year that provision for sixth formers was set t
o be closed from September this year.
And a letter has been sent to parents informing them of the decision which said the sixth form, as it stands, will close from September 2009 but the college will continue to offer the specialised post 16 Sports packages.
It also said SHCC would commit to annually reviewing the situation in line with the college's Specialist Status designation along with local demand and any emerging national qualifications.
Following the initial news last year a protest march was organised through the town and Seaford MP Norman Baker also called for the proposals to be halted and said it would relegate Seaford to "division two in education terms".
Robert Brandley, chair of Governors, said, "This is a very positive outcome as the recommendation enables the college to maintain its extremely popular and successful sixth form sports packages and to continue to review other sixth form opportunities which are in line with the college's Specialist Status, local demand and national qualifications."
Mrs Gold added, "Although this marks an end to the historic sixth form provision at Seaford Head Community College it leaves a door open for the possible future development of post-16 provision as other qualifications such as the national diplomas roll out."
A consultation into the matter was branded "too little too late" by one parent and only 12 people turned up to a public consultation in April.
A total of 14 responses were received including six objections and one that endorsed the closure.
joanne.smith@trbeckett.co.uk
