Plan to close sixth form due to fall in demand

Bungay High School is proposing to close its sixth form from next year

A schools trust is proposing to close its sixth form from next year due to "a gradual decline in applications".

East Anglian Schools' Trust announced earlier this month it would not be able to offer lower sixth entrance to new Year 12 pupils at Bungay High School Sixth form in Suffolk.

The decision came after only 19 students enrolled, but the current Year 13 students were not affected.

On Thursday, the trust said it was proposing to the Department for Education to consider closing the sixth form from September 2026 after the current Year 13 students have finished.

"The sixth form has seen a gradual decline of applications over several years and recently experienced unprecedented low numbers of applications this September," a spokesperson for the trust said.

"Due to the impact this would have on the Year 12 curriculum offer and subsequent impact on the quality of their education, the school suspended all admissions for a September 2025 start.

"Students were supported to find alternative placements and all are now engaged in their chosen courses."

Philip Hurst, head of Thomas Mills High School and Sixth Form in Framlingham, said he was pleased to see an increase in sixth form students

The trust spokesperson added that the proposition of closing the sixth form had come as a "great sadness", but it was taken "to secure the best possible provision for post-16 students".

The trust said there would be a period of consultation that would include staff, families, the wider community, school authorities and other local post-16 providers.

It comes after Thomas Mills High School & Sixth form in Framlingham welcomed a record number of new students for the current academic year.

The number of Year 12 students joining its sixth form rose by 37%, from 91 last year to 133 in 2025, according to the school.

Headteacher Philip Hurst said he was "particularly pleased" with the increase, "at a time when a dedicated sixth form provision appears to be struggling in some areas".