School closes sixth form entry

A Hertford secondary school has closed its sixth form to new entrants with just days until the start of the Autumn Term.

Students at Sele School who recently received their GCSE results and expected to go on to study in Year 12 have been told they will have to continue their education elsewhere.

Whilst the school has made no official announcement, local reports say students were given the news when they went to collect their GCSE results on 25th August.

The decision to close Year 12 at the school has been made "due to quality of provision", although it is unclear why the decision has been made at such a late stage and with students given such short notice.

District Councillor Caroline Redfern (Lab, Sele) said: "It is of course disappointing that Year 12 at Sele School has been closed to new admissions this year. I am in contact with the Headteacher to see how we can support the school as local Councillors as they deal with the situation this year, and as they make a drive to reopen admission for next year and expand their offer for A Level and T Level students. If any parents or pupils wish to get in touch with their local Councillors for support, they can email myself on carolyn.redfern@eastherts.gov.uk".

Meanwhile, Simon Balle School are accepting late applications to join the Sixth Form.

Analysis by the Institute of Fiscal Studies last Autumn showed sixth form funding per pupil in 2024-25 will be 23% below 2010-11 levels. At the same time, costs are rising due to inflation, whilst teachers' pay has also increased, placing further strain on budgets.

Hertfordshire County Council and Sele School have not responded to a request for more information and comment.

Correction 4/9/22: Caroline Redfern is a District councillor, not a Town Councillor.