Concerns over Longcroft School sixth form closure impact

Concerns are growing over the potential closure of the sixth form at Longcroft School in Beverley, with fears that it could adversely affect students who need additional support.

Staff at the National Education Union (NEU) have expressed serious concerns about potential job losses, estimating that up to six redundancies could occur over two years if the closure proceeds.

Campaigners have launched a website and petition to oppose the move, warning that the closure could lead to larger class sizes and diminished opportunities for young people in the area.

Teachers’ Concerns

Steve Scott, the NEU representative for East Yorkshire, said, "Teachers and support staff in the NEU were obviously worried when there was the announcement that the sixth form was going to be temporarily closed if the consultation went that way. In order to support them, we've held numerous member meetings to really ascertain where the worries of our members are, as well as meeting with the leadership of the school, putting in FOI requests and ultimately trying to work out if there's a way that we can prevent the sixth form from closing."

Steve says the closure would significantly impact post-16 education in the area, particularly affecting students requiring additional support. Concerns about job losses are also mounting, with the headteacher indicating three redundancies this year and another three next year.

Community Campaign

The local community has rallied behind efforts to save Longcroft's sixth form, establishing the website savelongcroft6form.uk and launching social media campaigns. Parents are vocal at town and parish council meetings, aiming to draw the attention of East Riding Council officials.

Steve says many NEU members are considering alternative employment at schools with sixth forms, where academic engagement is perceived to be better for career progression.

Industrial action is on the table if the consultation does not favor keeping the sixth form open. Steve stated, "Our members will be willing to take industrial action to safeguard the education provision for those pupils, safeguard their terms and conditions, safeguard their workload, and prevent redundancies."

In a letter to parents, the school said:

"The LA have expressed their intention to remove and repurpose a significant area of the current estate, which impacts the entire sixth-form area and means these facilities may be unavailable during the process of them being re-provided. Running sixth-form programmes during major estate displacement would materially constrain delivery and risk significant disruption to learners.

Exceptional cohort profile

They added: "An extraordinary Year 7 intake five years ago (now Year 11) created a significantly smaller number of pupils in Year 11 and an atypical attainment profile. This has suppressed internal progression and impacted on how well the curriculum is able to meet the needs of the current cohort.

Long term financial impact

"The financial deficit that would be created by maintaining a Year 12 intake in September 2026 given the above circumstances and the associated impact on student numbers would have a profound and long-lasting impact on the financial viability of the whole school. Statutory funding for 11-16 pupils would have to be redirected and over the recovery period resources that should be available to the whole school would have to be reduced / removed. This places pupils at an unfair disadvantage.