Unity Schools Partnership has announced ambitious plans to transform sixth form provision at Felixstowe School.
In January, Unity Schools Partnership, of which Felixstowe School is part of, said it was reluctantly making the decision to pause entry to the school’s sixth form. This was due to declining numbers staying on, forcing the lower school to spend a significant proportion of its budget just to keep the sixth form provision going.
However, following public consultation, the Trust has announced a bid to keep the campus open – if there is sufficient interest from students and if a new partnership model proves possible.
A Unity spokesperson said: “Following the consultation, we have worked closely with school leaders and governors and listened to stakeholders and the local community to present an alternative plan.
“It was clear that there was a strong support for some form of post-16 educational provision in the town despite the low numbers choosing to stay on for A Levels in recent years.
“While it is clearly not the right thing to continue the current model, we are excited to look at alternatives in a bid to give post-16 pupils in Felixstowe the option to stay on at the school.”
Under the new plans, Unity Schools Partnership is hoping to offer a joint delivery model where students would work across Felixstowe School and a local Further Education college on pathways containing V Levels and A Levels, designed closely alongside the needs of local employers.
With most V Levels not available for study until September 2028, Unity has agreed to use its reserves to fund a “limited but relevant offer” for sixth form students until that time, should there be sufficient interest.
The Trust spokesperson added: “Lots of work has already taken place to get to this stage, and the next two years will require significant investment from our reserves – and an equal investment of effort from school leaders.
“This reflects the Trust and school’s commitment to doing the right thing for the town and to listening to feedback.
“We hope the local community of Felixstowe will support our efforts to provide a meaningful and sustainable post-16 education offer for young people in Felixstowe.”
Reacting to the news, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP, Member of Parliament for Suffolk Coastal, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve reached this point, and that there is now a promising plan in place to build a future for post-16 education in Felixstowe.
“It’s been important throughout this process to bring people together, listen to young people and their parents and carers, and to look at how we can develop an offer that works for our town. These proposals are a really positive step in ensuring that young people in Felixstowe have access to the skills and qualifications that will serve them well in the future.
“I want to thank everyone who has worked hard to get these plans to this stage. There is a real opportunity here, and I hope that the local community will get behind it and help to make it a success.”
Darren Aitchison, Chair of Felixstowe School’s Local Governing Board, said: “Governors have worked closely with school leaders and Unity Schools Partnership throughout this process, and I am grateful that the Trust has listened carefully to the feedback received from students, parents and the wider community.
“The willingness to explore new approaches, alongside a significant investment to keep options open for young people in Felixstowe, reflects a real commitment to doing what is right for the town.
“I sincerely hope that parents and students will support these proposals and help us build a sustainable and ambitious future for sixth form education in Felixstowe.”
Cllr Michael Hadwen, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. As a Felixstowe resident, I made it my mission to push for a replacement post-16 offer in the town.
“I met with the Chief Executive of the trust on August 19th and I made it very clear how determined Suffolk County Council was to protect post-16 education in the town. Following constructive discussions, we agreed to work together to secure the future of sixth form provision.
“We now have the opportunity to build something sustainable that works for Felixstowe’s young people.”
To find out more about the full proposals, please visit – https://www.fxs.org.uk/felixstowe-sixth-form-update.