Anger as Oldbury school scraps part of sixth form

Perryfields High School in Oldbury has been branded 'disgraceful' for informing pupils about the move just weeks before they start their GCSEs.

Headteacher Ian Barton said the decision had been taken as the sixth form was too small but that added it would be re-instated from 2019. The school said current Year 12 students would not be affected.

It has forced parents of pupils who had already secured a sixth form place at Perryfields to hastily make other arrangements just a few months before the school term is due to end.

Richard Greening, from Rowley Regis, whose 16-year-old son Charlie was due to start sixth form in September, has been left furious by the decision.

Charlie's parents were left not knowing whether they would be able to get him a place elsewhere and were forced to frantically search for alternative options. They are hopeful they have managed to get him into Windsor High School in Halesowen.

He had been granted a place in the sixth form in October. Parents were informed this week of the move.

Mr Greening, 43, said: "There has been no consultation, no pre-warning. It's disgraceful, unethical and immoral.

"They shouldn't have offered it in the first place if they were not going to deliver it. I don't think it's an acceptable way to behave.

"The timing is absolutely ludicrous. In four months time, all the schools will be shut."

Headteacher Mr Barton said in a letter to parents: "This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made with the best interests of the whole school community.

"The small size of the sixth form has been a strength in many ways but in the current educational climate it has become increasingly apparent that a small sixth form such as ours is currently unable to offer the breadth of subjects we feel prepares students for a full range of pathways in the future."