FEARS Ceredigion Sixth forms could close and be replaced by a ‘centre of excellence’ have been put on hold for now following a decision by senior councillors today, November 5.
A total of six schools across the county were in potential danger of having their sixth forms axed after Ceredigion County Council said Welsh government funding was ‘not sufficient’ to maintain the status quo.
The schools were: Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron, Ysgol Bro Pedr (Lampeter,) Penglais School (Aberystwyth), Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig (Aberystwyth), Ysgol Bro Teifi (Llandysul) and Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, Cardigan.
This was largely the result of a sharp decline in the number of students who choose to return to secondary school education following their GCSEs, with the cost of continuing to run the courses in the current financial year escalating.
At last November’s Ceredigion County Council Cabinet meeting, members instructed Schools and Lifelong Learning Services to undertake a detailed feasibility study to look at different options for post-16 education provision in the county.
Four options were considered by the Cabinet Members for the future of the provision, later boiled down to either developing a more collaborative post-16 provision at all sites, or a centre of excellence replacing the current provision at one or more sites.
John Hayes was commissioned to investigate these two options, and submit a report to Scrutiny in the Autumn term 2024.
A report for Cabinet members ahead of their November 5 meeting said the first option, developing the current situation, would see post-16 provision would continue on the six existing sites; the governing boards “would continue with their current roles in terms of governance up to 16 but agree with the local authority to form a strategic board which would manage the authority’s post-16 budget, ensure suitable arrangements for joint planning the curriculum and then commissioning the provision from the schools, e-sgol and other partners”.
Over time, these recommendations could include adjusting the number of sites and what is provided at each site, it added.
The other centre of excellence option “would offer a more far-reaching change,” members heard.
“It would mean closing the current post-16 provision and establishing a centre of excellence, involving a range of partners, at one or more suitable geographical sites. A governing body that is independent of the schools would be responsible for the funding and the curriculum and would appoint a small number of core staff to steer and manage the work.”
The report, presented by Cllr Wyn Thomas, said: “Rurality and rural deprivation, the future of the Welsh language, environmental issues, costs and funding and the voice of stakeholders are all important key factors that should be considered in the context [of the two options].
“The decision about the way forward calls for an integrated response that will be based on strong partnerships, fairness and equal opportunity, it will prioritise the needs and well-being of Ceredigion learners and prepare them for the dynamic and changing economy of the future.”
Mr Hayes told members the first option would offer stronger provision for the Welsh language, adding it was inconceivable to consider only one site for the second option.
Members backed a recommended to approve the proposal to start the process of developing the current situation, to ensure suitable arrangements for joint planning of the Post-16 curriculum, for September 2026.
They also approved further investigation into the centre of excellence option, to give more detailed consideration to establishing a potential centre, on one or more sites, at a later date.