Much Wenlock sixth form could close because of falling numbers

The school is named after the man credited with founding the modern Olympics, William Penny Brookes

A secondary school is considering closing its sixth form because of falling student numbers.

The William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, said declining numbers had created a "significant financial shortfall".

It has started consulting on the closure, but said all current students would be able to finish their courses.

The school also said it was confident there are enough alternative places in the local area.

It is proposing ending enrolment for sixth form studies from September, with the final courses ending in the summer of 2025.

In its consultation document, it explained between 2022 and 2023, the number of sixth form students had almost halved to just 27.

It said many other schools with sixth forms were "finding it increasingly difficult to offer the broad curriculum that is available at other larger establishments".

Feedback from parents and students suggested the greater ranger of facilities and the freedoms offered by a larger college environment were also motivations to look elsewhere.

Negative impact

The result of the declining numbers was a shortfall of £140,000 last year, which is projected to rise to £283,000 in 2024-25.

The school said if this continued it "would have a very negative impact" on its ability to cater for students aged 11 to 16.

Other schools in the area have been forced to make similar choices: in nearby Bridgnorth, Oldbury Wells plans to close its sixth form in 2025 while Bridgnorth Endowed has already ended its provision.

Despite this, the school said there was a "wide range of post-16 provision that already exists in the local area".

A consultation period will run until 11 April.