Consultation launched over Leyton schools' application to offer sixth form education

A consultation by Waltham Forest council is currently under way to decide whether to boost the borough's number of sixth forms from five to seven by September 2015 after secondary schools proposed to offer A-levels and level 3 qualifications for the first time. 

Cabinet, led by portfolio member for children and young people, Cllr Mark Rusling, will decide on applications by Lammas School and Sports College in Seymour Road and Norlington School for Boys in Norlington Road on October 24. 

There are currently no sixth forms south of the borough in either Leyton or Leytonstone, with three out of five located in Chingford and the remaining two in Walthamstow.  

Both Lammas School and Norlington School for Boys believe the need for its schools to offer a sixth form is more important now than ever, as pupils must stay in education or training until the age of 18.

Norlington School for Boys, which features in the UK's top 100 schools for progress by students with free school meals, is proposing to offer a mixed sixth form. 

It is looking to specialise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education by offering 10 A-level subjects including ICT at BTEC level for its cohort of 50 to 70 students.   

The schools believe by offering education for 16 to 18-year-olds, the new facilities will strengthen the borough's education provision as a whole by adding choice.

Waltham Forest has a 92.4 per cent rate of students continuing in full-time education but the number of students deciding to study outside of the borough, predominantly at City and Islington College and Epping Forest College, has increased rapidly since 2011, when it stood at 58 per cent, compared to 74 per cent of students last year.   

If approved, Lammas School will offer 70 to 100 places as of September 2015 across 15 A-level subjects and business studies at BTEC level. 

The consultation will end on September 30.