'Dismay' Eton-backed college plans still on hold

Eton College backed plans to build a sixth form in Middlesbrough but the Labour government paused the proposal

A councillor says she is "dismayed" plans for an Eton-backed college have been left in limbo.

The free sixth form college in Middlesbrough was greenlit by the previous Tory government in 2023, however it was paused by Labour a year ago as part of a wider review into state schools.

Conservative Mieka Smiles, former deputy mayor, said scrapping the scheme would deprive the town's "most gifted but deprived pupils" of opportunities.

Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Andy McDonald said the area's "surplus of sixth form provision" provided students with "excellent opportunities". The Department for Education and council would not comment.

If approved, the sixth form college would teach 480 students and would be led by Eton College and Star Academies, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Smiles, a long-time advocate of Eton Star Teesside, called out Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson for pausing the scheme.

"This college could transform lives in our town," she said.

"Standing in the way of success for the very children she claims to champion is disgraceful - and I will not let it go unchallenged."

Councillor Mieka Smiles, pictured with former Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Sir Simon Clarke, said the new college could transform lives

The pause came after the government launched a review into whether the new mainstream schools offer value for money.

An update on the wider matter from the government will be made before the end of this year, according to Children's Minister Josh MacAlister MP.

A spokesperson for Eton Star Partnership said it was "fully committed" to opening the college, which it said would help an additional 60 people progress to Oxbridge or Russell Group universities each year.

"As it stands, too many young people in the region do well at GCSE but do not go on to win places at leading universities because they don't fulfil their potential in sixth form," they said.

McDonald said there was already a "comprehensive provision of quality education" in the area.

"I would welcome Eton finding a way to support our existing institutions in a way which does not undermine the excellent offer we already have and makes sure we have an education provision which will nurture and bring out the talent of every young person," he said.

The council did not offer a comment. When the Department for Education was contacted, the government did not wish to offer commentary on individual schools, but officials are said to have worked closely with local authorities and trusts with mainstream pipeline free schools in scope of the review.