PARENTS have just days left to have their say about changes at Marling and Stroud High School sixth forms which will make them likely to create near single-sex sixth forms.

According to a letter sent to parents Marling is also hoping to expand the places at its sixth from 150 to up to 200.

David Drew, Labour MP for Stroud has written to the schools’ governors to express his sadness at the plan which he has described as a ‘backwards’ move.

“We seem to be moving backwards away from cooperation in education and this could affect young people taught outside of Gloucestershire’s grammar system,” he said.

Stroud News and Journal:

Stroud High sixth form will remain largely girls

Currently sixth form students at Marling and Stroud High are taught jointly in mixed classes at A-Level, but proposals will see them taught separately from September 2019.

Both new sixth forms will allow both girls and boys to join but will become less gender-balanced.

With around 150 Year 11 girls eligible for the new Stroud High sixth form places, it will remain largely girls, and the situation will be the same at Marling where 150 boys also be eligible for new Year 12 places.

“I am disappointed at the plan to separate the sixth forms at Marling and Stroud High School. This will end years’ of successful joint working.

“I am not convinced that there is parental demand for near-single sex sixth forms as it seems to me, that post-16, young people are preparing for adult life,” said Mr Drew.

Stroud News and Journal:

Stroud MP David Drew has written to the governors to express his sadness at the plans

“Working together makes the best use of both schools’ resources, including their excellent sixth form facilities, and this is another example of the erosion of co-operation between schools.

“I am also concerned that the expansion of places may impact other sixth forms and colleges, and that the near single-sex environment will discourage youngsters from Thomas Keble, Maidenhill and Sir William Romney from applying and reduce social inclusivity," he concluded.

However, Dr Stuart Wilson, who is the head teacher at Marling School said that the changes were part of an 'exciting time' for Marling.

“This is an exciting time for Marling School.

"Under the proposed plans, from September 2019, for the first time in the school’s history, Marling Sixth Form will directly admit both boys and girls.

"Under the current arrangement, boys are admitted to Marling School and girls to Stroud High School, but students are taught together.

"For sixth form students joining in September 2019 the new plan means that they will have a co-educational experience, as Marling students, in an exciting, stimulating and successful sixth form.

"It is important to note that students applying to join Marling School in September 2018, the current Year 11, will not be affected by the changes; they will continue to be part of a shared sixth form in years 12 and 13.”

People have until Friday to submit comments to Marling by emailing lynne.pidgley@marling.gloucs.sch.uk and until Wednesday to comment on Stroud High’s plans via admissions@stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk

Full details: marling.gloucs.sch.uk