Dear Parent / Guardian
Consultation on Academy 6th Form Provision
As you know, the Local Authority approached us last year for assistance in helping them meet the ongoing growing demand for secondary places locally. As a result we increased our number of Year 7 places this year from 180 to 210. They have asked us to raise this again to 240 from this September and to consider continuing to do this in future years.
We are very happy to work with the Local Authority on this so that we genuinely provide this community with the school places it needs; we need to do so however whilst maintaining the smooth and effective running of the school. Providing suitable accommodation and ensuring high quality teaching is essential if we are able to achieve this.
The Local Governing Body and United Learning have therefore been considering the best way forward for the future of the Academy. In doing so, we have looked at where our students most benefit from their time here, where we are adding the greatest value to their education and where demand for places at the Academy is greatest.
Since the Academy opened in 2003, the quality of Sixth Form provision in the area has improved considerably and there are likewise many more Sixth Form places available locally and across the City. The need, therefore, for our own Sixth Form has never become what was thought likely when we opened. The demand, however, for places in our Year 7 – 11 has grown substantially and, as the Local Authority’s requests make clear, will continue to grow over the next few years.
Our proposal therefore, which we are now formally consulting on, is to close our Sixth Form from September 2016. This will not impact at all on any student currently in the Sixth Form and, as we have currently made no offers of places for September for current Year 11s, no-one will be denied a place that they have been offered.
By no longer having a Sixth Form, we will be able to accommodate the proposed increases in Years 7 – 11 in the best way; meeting our additional need for classroom and other space in a way that does not impact on the good running of the school. In this way, we can meet local demand for places here whilst being confident that, on leaving the Academy, there is excellent Sixth Form provision available elsewhere for our students.
As part of the consultation, we would be very pleased to hear from parents, staff and others with an interest in the Academy who have a view they would like to share. If you would like to comment or have any further questions please do not hesitate to either write, email or ring me at the school or using my email address, ian.jackson@manchester-academy.org.
This is not a proposal that has been decided upon lightly but we are all confident that it is the right decision for the Academy and the community we serve. It is also testament to the progress made by Manchester Academy since we opened, that our reputation for Years 7-11 has made us such a school of choice for local families.
Ian Jackson
Vice Principal