Funding cuts and cost increases are damaging the education of
sixth form students in schools and colleges according to the
results of a survey published today.
The Sixth Form Colleges Association surveyed the leaders of 341
schools and colleges that educate 360,000 of the 1.1 million
sixth form students in England. The research was conducted on
behalf of the eight organisations behind the Support Our Sixth-formers
campaign.
The survey indicates that 50% of
schools and colleges have dropped courses in modern foreign
languages as a result of funding pressures, with A levels in
German, French and Spanish the main casualties. Over a third have
dropped STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) courses.
Two thirds of schools and
colleges (67%) have reduced student
support services or extra-curricular activities – with
significant cuts to mental health support, employability skills
and careers advice.
More than three quarters of schools and colleges
(77%) are teaching students in larger class
sizes and half (50%) have reduced the
delivery hours of individual courses. Two thirds of schools and
colleges (66%) have moved from a 4 subject
offer as standard to a 3 subject offer.
And almost three quarters (72%) do not
believe the amount of funding they will receive next year will be
sufficient to provide the support required by students that are
educationally or economically disadvantaged.
Commenting on the report:
Bill Watkin, Chief Executive of the Sixth Form Colleges
Association, said: “Our survey shows that sixth form students
are not getting a fair deal – these young people deserve to have
their education adequately funded. The government’s planned
investment in post-16 technical education will do nothing for the
vast majority of students who are pursuing academic courses – we
urge the Chancellor to boost funding for all sixth form students
in this month’s Budget.”
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and
College Leaders, said: “Without any rhyme or reason,
16-19 education is the poorest relation in an underfunded
education system. And this is at a point when students are taking
courses on which rest university places and employment. Our young
people deserve better than this – and we appeal to the Chancellor
to act urgently.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges,
said: “The results highlight what we know: our young
people are in danger of getting short-changed compared with their
counterparts in other countries and compared with previous
generations. This is not just a funding issue, it’s a moral issue
and should deeply concern every one of us. Young people
deserve the right investment to support their ambitions and
abilities.”
Jim Skinner, Chief Executive of the Grammar School Heads
Association, said: “The evidence of the extent and depth
of damaging cuts is stark. The shortfall in the post-16 education
that our state schools and colleges are able to deliver, compared
to the independent sector has never been greater. Unless adequate
funding is forthcoming, the consequences in terms of progression
onto Russell Group universities and social mobility, will be
devastating.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- A copy of the Support Our Sixth-formers campaign:
funding impact survey report is attached to this email
and will be added to the campaign websitewww.supportoursixthformers.org on
Monday morning. The Support Our Sixth-formers
campaign manifesto can be found here.
