Sixth form college to shut two years after opening

Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form College will not take in new students in September, with existing students transported to Norwich

A Norfolk sixth form college is closing just two years after it opened due to a lack of pupils.

The Inspiration Trust launched Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy in September 2022.

The BBC understands each of the two year groups had less than 20 pupils, with many being transported to Norwich for lessons.

The Inspiration Trust said "running a small school-based sixth-form in Great Yarmouth presented challenges", which required it to review its education provision.

Students at Charter Academy who had been offered places at Sir Isaac Newton East are now being offered places in Norwich at Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form or Jane Austen College.

The trust said it was committed to "providing the best education for our young people".

In a statement, it added: "We are making changes to Sir Isaac Newton East (SIN East).

"Starting from September 2024, the sixth-form provision for any new intake to the Great Yarmouth based site will be paused."

The BBC understands students at the college had already been transported to Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich for some of their lessons.

Year 11 students at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy will be offered sixth form places in Norwich

The statement went on: "We have recently taken the approach of having SIN East Year 13s study at Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich – a pioneering maths and science setting, ranked in the top-ten best performing sixth-forms in the UK.

"Due to the success of this approach, we plan to continue and develop this in September.

"This will mean that SIN East students currently in Year 13, will sit exams as planned, and our Year 12s will be able to study at either SIN Norwich, or Jane Austen Sixth Form – another of our Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' settings – depending on their subject choice."

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said it had not been informed about the Inspiration Trust's plans.

In a statement, they added: "We are here to offer assistance to any students who may need help to find an alternative education placement. They can contact us on 0344 800 8022."