Agenda item

Councillor Calum Watt, Chair of the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee, introduced the topic of discussion which was the Consultation to close Sixth Form Provision at Lincoln Castle Academy.

 

The Committee received a presentation from Richard Hanson, Principal of Lincoln Castle Academy. During consideration of the presentation, the following points were noted:

 

• The consultation document summarised the rationale for the proposal to close Sixth Form Provision at Lincoln Castle Academy (LCA)
• The proposal was based on a decline of numbers over the years. The Year 12 intake in 2022 resulted in zero applications
• There had been a great deal of change of leadership and management at the Academy
• T Levels were a two-year qualification designed to give 16- to 19-year-olds a head start towards their desired career. LCA decided not to invest in T Levels but other providers had. The subjects taught in sixth form had not been adapted
• It had previously been the case that there was only 1 student studying A Level Maths and some classes were comprised of only 2/3 students
• The Academy had attempted to offer specialist subjects, such as criminology, in the absence of the provision of a qualified teacher. Furthermore, results had declined and students started to consider alternative providers that had performed to a higher standard
• The recommended class size was approximately 15 students however for some subjects, such as music, it could be smaller. Business Studies however, was a subject with a much larger number of students. Therefore, there were not enough numbers for classes to be filled
• The school had not invested in infrastructure and as such, IT facilities were outdated, furniture was broken and many classrooms did not have the provision of an interactive whiteboard. The school had previously attempted to retain a very small sixth form that was losing money

 

(Note: Councillor Rachel Storer joined the meeting at this point in proceedings)

 

• The Department of Education (DfE) recommended a sixth form comprised of approximately 600 students
• Alternative provision was in close proximity within the area and included Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School and The Priory Lincoln Academy; both had an improved offer. Lincoln Castle Academy was graded ‘inadequate’
• Extensive consideration of possible solutions had taken place. LCA had not had a sixth form last year or within the current year
• Since the school moved to Delta Trust, the budget was good and investment had increased significantly. The IT provision worked well and the school was fully staffed with specialist teachers
• The offer provided by LCA was of a high standard. The results of the Year 11 in Summer 2024 were the best within the school’s 53-year history The Academy was set to become one of the top schools in Lincoln for Year 11 performance; the success of which had been attributed to work with both the community and parents, which had rebuilt the culture and trust
• Data analysis had been carried out on figures that dated back to 2007. The data suggested that many in the Ermine opted for LCA and numbers had increased over the last 2 years. The number of mid-year admissions had also increased
• The Academy’s Open Evening recently took place, in September 2024 which had been a very successful event in which approximately 500 parents attended

 

(Note: Martin Walmsley, Assistant Director - Shared Revenues & Benefits joined the meeting at this point in proceedings)

 

• LCA had independent careers providers and worked closely with other schools and universities in order that Year 11 students gained relevant experience
• Consultation had taken place with a wide range of individuals, alternative post 16 providers, Councillors, MP’s and parents. The consultation had recently been extended however it was the view of LCA that it was in the best interests of the community and students that the closure of the sixth form provision was proceeded.

 

The Chair offered his thanks to Richard Hanson and welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee. As a result of discussions between Members, the following points were made: -

 

Question: The economics appeared to suggest that sixth form provision would not be possible from 2025. Longer term, and further to satisfaction with academic levels, was rejuvenation of the sixth form a possibility?

Response: The provision of a sixth form was not desired however it would be possible if required, in the circumstance of an increase in population. A broad curriculum would be offered with a school size of 900 students aged 11-16.

 

Question: Had the Trust decided if it hoped for a future sixth form?

Response: For a sixth form to be successful, the recruitment of additional staff would be necessary. LCA was fully staffed and did not have capacity for any staff not teaching. The top floor of the school would need to be made safe as it was currently sealed off. There were plans for the build of a new school with a scheduled completion date of November 2027 and therefore, temporary classrooms would need to be a consideration. Staffing was the main issue.

 

Question: Qualitatively, how easy was it for prospective students to gain a sixth form education?

Response: The Academy ran a full programme and worked with other schools such as Lincoln University Technical College (UTC). Other colleges visited the Academy and talked about their offers. LCA held regular events and had a careers advisor.

 

Question: How many students were there in Year 11?

Response: There were 107 students in Year 11.

 

Supplementary Question: Was the figure of 107 students usual?

Response: The figure was low and had reduced when LCA received an OFSTED rating of ‘inadequate’ as many students (35) left LCA and attended UTC. During the current year, only six students had left.

 

Comment: It was disappointing that the school had ended up in the position that it had. LCA was the only purpose-built place in Lincoln. In terms of the viability and the future, Lincoln did not have many people going on to sixth form college.

 

Question: LCA was built in the 1970’s. How feasible was it that the school was a viable proposition?

Response: The school’s future looked healthy and Year 7 admissions had increased; Year 8 was full and things looking strong for next year. Many parents stated that LCA was their first choice; there was an increasing number of people joining the Academy.

 

Question: There was a mix of schools in Lincoln. What was the provision for having a sixth form?

Response: There were some schools with sixth forms, some church schools and some schools for the 11-16 age range. Schools with over 1500 students within the age range of 11-16 often had a viable sixth form and therefore, offered a wide range of subjects.

 

Question: What were the plans for the new build school due to be completed by 2027?

Response: With the Department of Education (DfE), plans included a new build within the LCA site with a planned completion date of the end of 2027/beginning of 2028. The build would be a single, three storey building, carbon neutral with a solar panelled roof. The vision was for an Academy for 900 students. The top floor of the West Block was sealed off. Damp had affected some of the buildings on the outer periphery. Initial plans considered a partial rebuild and refurbishment, but a refurbishment would not have been guaranteed for 40 years due to the flat roof.

 

Question: How far along were the plans in the planning process? Had planning permission been obtained?

Response: The plans were at feasibility stage, prior to procurement.

 

Supplementary Question: Was a timescale known?

Response: Information would be sought and circulated to members, further to the meeting.

 

Question: Families preferred continuity. Would prospective students feel discouraged from joining LCA in the absence of a sixth form provision?

Response: Individuals continued to be interested in what the school offered e.g. careers offers and guidance and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Academy offered 42 after school clubs and employed 1-2-1 tutors in order for gaps to be worked on. Many parents were interested in what was going to be done to support their child and their development. Since LCA had moved to Delta, the school had been much busier.

 

Comment: The potential removal of sixth form provision from LCA was sad as it had been very successful in the past. It had deteriorated due to equipment that had not been fixed and it was a shame that parents in the local area were not offered sixth form as a service within the school.

Response: The school had previously run a staffing led curriculum however it needed to be about the number of pupils. In order to ensure that staff were remunerated, the infrastructure and resources had suffered. Consideration had not been given to things that had changed and adaptions had not been made. Attempts had been made to offer courses without investment in training and resources. In order for the sixth form provision to be continued, other class sizes within the school were large, behaviour suffered, and outcomes had been poor.

 

Question: Would any sixth form provision, such as a common room, be incorporated into the plans for the new building?

Response: The DfE agreed a 900 placed school for ages 11-16. The site was large enough for another building in order that an exponential increase in population could be accommodated. LCA had proceeded with a traditional route in place of an academic or vocational route which included dance, drama, performance, technology and bakery equipment.

 

Question: Historically, what had the student figures been?

Response: Figures had not exceeded 800; the reason it had not worked for a long time.

 

Question: The Academy’s progress score was approximately -0.5 last year. What would it be for the current year?

Response: LCA was the second highest turn around school within the Delta Trust this year. For the current year, the predicted figure was +0.15 to +-0.18. The  key focus was reading which had received significant investment and support from Delta whereby the barriers to reading had been considered and appropriate interventions put in place.

 

Comment: The situation was not a positive one and the City of Lincoln Council (CoLC) sat as a nexus point of several different communities.

 

Question: The schools results this year were to be applauded. The public appeared to be unaware of the proposal to withdraw sixth form provision; they had to seek the information out. Was this fair?

Response: The consultation had been handled by the Trust. All parents of the school had received the information. In addition, other secondary schools, local schools, local councillors and the MP had all been informed. The consultation had also been published on the academy’s website. The consultation was widely publicised.

 

Question: When would the results of the consultation be available?

Response: Delta Trust had agreed to an extension of the consultation. The results had not yet been viewed.

 

Question: Could some work have been done previously when it became clear years ago that things were struggling?

Response: Consideration could have been given to numbers but it was unlikely that there would have been a case for a viable sixth form. Over 40 members of staff had left, and the academy did not need to recruit anymore staff as it would have been to the detriment of the rest of the school.

 

Question: Could other sixth forms have been considered?

Response: An increased number of pupils moved to Lincoln College for the vocational offers of which LCA hadn’t kept up with. Other sixth form Ofsted ratings were positive.

 

Comment: It was a shame that an opportunity has been missed.

Response: Consideration could have taken place previously, but the majority of Year 11 pupils would have been required to remain at the school to ensure its viability.

 

Question: Lessons had been learnt. What was the date of the closure of the consultation?

Response: The closure date of the consultation would be circulated further to the meeting.

 

Comment: Members remained welcome to visit the Academy.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1. The closure date of the consultation be circulated to members further to the meeting.

 

2. Officers be tasked with the composition of a response to the consultation, to be submitted ahead of the closure deadline.

 

(Note: Richard Hanson, Donald Nannestad and Joshua Wells left proceedings at this stage)

 

(Note: Proceedings adjourned at 18:09)