May 14, 2018 10.10 am This story is over 70 months old

Academy promises sixth form will reopen

Tollbar Academy said it wouldn’t be financially viable to run sixth form next year
Executive principal Martin Brown (right) with vice principals Janice Mitchell and Rob Colbert

Louth Academy has promised plans not to run sixth form provision from September will only be temporary.

They responded to pleas from East Lindsey District Council to The Tollbar Academy to keep the facility open. 

The decision was made due to a decrease in applications, they explained. Instead, the academy will refurbish its sixth form and reopen in September 2019.

Tollbar Academy’s chief executive David J Hampson will update councillors in response to their letter this week.

Executive Principal at Louth Academy Martin Brown said: “Unfortunately, the trust has had to make a decision not to run Louth Academy Sixth Form from September 2018 owing to the very small number of applicants.

“The trust does not feel that such a small number of students, possibly in single figures, would result in a good Sixth Form experience for the students, and it would not be financially viable.

“Tollbar MAT is still totally committed to opening a Sixth Form at Louth Academy in September 2019 and refurbishments are being completed this year at the academy, including a Sixth Form facility.

“The two academies will also be united from September 2018, with the year groups coming together. The Year 11 students will then be able to see for themselves the resources that will be on offer to them Post-16 from September 2019.

“The trust has made this decision early and notified the small number of applicants so that they have time to consider other Post-16 choices.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this causes students and for the disappointment of not being able to study A Levels at Louth Academy at this time.

“The trust has offered to transfer any Louth applications to the Sixth Form at Tollbar Academy where currently there is a free bus service to the campus in New Waltham from Louth.

“Tollbar Academy’s Sixth Form has a wide range of courses and over 300 students currently on roll with outstanding facilities and a track record of successful outcomes.”

As reported previously, councillor Adam Grist wrote to the academy’s chief executive to highlight his concerns and the negative impact of the proposals.