Sixth form update – 
watch this space!

The good news is that the area will at last be getting a college for 16-19 year olds, probably on the old Firth Park School ‘Brushes’ site.

The big decision still to be made is whether the new college will be managed independently by the local schools, community and the education authority which the parents campaign believe would be the best option – or whether it will be run by Sheffield College.

The Learning and Skills Council – who will make the final decision – commissioned independent consultants KPMG to report on the options, and their view was that the new college would not have enough students to operate independently and so should be part of Sheffield College.

The local parents campaign, together with the schools and the education authority have questioned KPMG’s figures. In particular why they have not used school predictions on numbers and not taken taking into account the £1 million that BNDfC has committed for the new college that could support the college in its initial years as numbers grow.

The numbers are being reviewed and a final decision is due to be made in the next few days, as the Messenger goes to press.We will keep you updated on the outcome as soon as possible.

What do you think? Join the debate on our Education bulletin board