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Science A-levels cut in sixth-form college cash squeeze | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Sixth-form colleges in England say they have had to cut the number of science and foreign language courses they offer, because of financial pressures. | |
The Sixth Form Colleges Association also said more than a third of colleges feared that without better funding they could cease as going concerns by 2020. | The Sixth Form Colleges Association also said more than a third of colleges feared that without better funding they could cease as going concerns by 2020. |
It sent online questionnaires to all 93 colleges; 72 responded and of these 26 said they feared for their viability. | It sent online questionnaires to all 93 colleges; 72 responded and of these 26 said they feared for their viability. |
Last month the government announced a review of post-16 education. | Last month the government announced a review of post-16 education. |
'Bleak' future | |
Sixth form colleges have faced deeper cuts to their budgets than any other group of institutions, the association's report said, with some losing a third of their funding between 2011 and 2016. | Sixth form colleges have faced deeper cuts to their budgets than any other group of institutions, the association's report said, with some losing a third of their funding between 2011 and 2016. |
The future is "equally bleak", as the government has decided not to protect the 16-19 education budget from spending cuts. | The future is "equally bleak", as the government has decided not to protect the 16-19 education budget from spending cuts. |
"Further reductions are highly likely," the report said. | "Further reductions are highly likely," the report said. |
In addition, sixth-form colleges are not eligible to reclaim VAT, meaning institutions have lost out, on average, to the tune of £317,964, the report said. | |
The Department for Education said moving to provide funding on a per-student basis had ended unfair differences between schools and colleges. | |
The association's questionnaire asked each college to report the cumulative impact of the funding cuts introduced since 2011. | The association's questionnaire asked each college to report the cumulative impact of the funding cuts introduced since 2011. |
Of the 72 colleges that responded, 52 said they had dropped courses as the result. | |
A-levels in modern languages have been cut in 28 colleges - more than a third - while 17 - just under a quarter - reported cuts in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. | |
Colleges "have responded creatively and decisively" to the financial squeeze, says the report - but 68 out of 72 said they were "concerned" or "extremely concerned" about their financial health. | Colleges "have responded creatively and decisively" to the financial squeeze, says the report - but 68 out of 72 said they were "concerned" or "extremely concerned" about their financial health. |
Asked about the year 2016-17, 50 colleges believed their funding would not be enough to provide a high quality education, while 59 said they would not be able to provide support for disadvantaged students. | Asked about the year 2016-17, 50 colleges believed their funding would not be enough to provide a high quality education, while 59 said they would not be able to provide support for disadvantaged students. |
Sixth-form colleges outperform school and academy sixth forms while educating more disadvantaged students and receiving less funding, says the report, but it continues: "The sector has reached the point where it cannot absorb any further reductions." | |
Sixth Form Colleges Association deputy chief executive James Kewin said funding inequalities between sixth-form colleges and school and academy sixth forms should end. | |
"The sector cannot survive on starvation rations... and will be unable to provide young people with the high-quality education they need to progress to higher education and employment," he said. | |
The government's review of post-16 education, announced last month by the departments for education and business, innovation and skills, will aim for greater efficiency in the sector. | |
"A major reform of post-16 education and training institutions is now necessary," said the announcement. | "A major reform of post-16 education and training institutions is now necessary," said the announcement. |
"We will need to move towards fewer, often larger, more resilient and efficient providers." | "We will need to move towards fewer, often larger, more resilient and efficient providers." |
'Deeply troubling' | |
The review will focus on further education and sixth-form colleges, "although the availability and quality of all post-16 academic and work-based provision in each area will also be taken into account". | |
The announcement also promised early action on financial stability, with possible solutions including asking colleges to review market position, financial management and informal twinning arrangements with other institutions. | The announcement also promised early action on financial stability, with possible solutions including asking colleges to review market position, financial management and informal twinning arrangements with other institutions. |
A Department for Education spokesman said the government had "ended the unfair difference between post-16 schools and colleges by funding them per student, rather than discriminating between qualifications. | A Department for Education spokesman said the government had "ended the unfair difference between post-16 schools and colleges by funding them per student, rather than discriminating between qualifications. |
"We have provided sufficient funds for every full-time student to do a full timetable of courses and increased support for those who successfully study four or more A-levels and large TechBacc programmes." | "We have provided sufficient funds for every full-time student to do a full timetable of courses and increased support for those who successfully study four or more A-levels and large TechBacc programmes." |
Thousands more students now stay in education or training after the age of 16, the spokesman added. | Thousands more students now stay in education or training after the age of 16, the spokesman added. |
Tristram Hunt, Labour's Shadow Education Secretary, called the findings "deeply troubling". | |
"Modern languages and science are an essential part of a 21st-century curriculum. We need to widen young people's horizons, to equip them with the broad range of knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the new digital world. | |
"Once again this shows how David Cameron's education policy is holding Britain back." |