South Wirral High School in Eastham has announced a proposal to close its sixth form, citing long-term financial unsustainability and consistently low student enrolment. A formal consultation process has been launched to gather views from parents, students, and the wider community on the proposed changes, which would take effect from September 2026.
The school's leadership, supported by The Challenge Academy Trust, confirmed that despite growth in the lower school years, the post-16 provision has not attracted enough students to remain viable. The proposal aims to redirect resources to the main school (Years 7-11) while ensuring current sixth form students can complete their studies without disruption.
Key Takeaways
- South Wirral High School is proposing to close its sixth form to new students starting September 2026.
- The primary reasons are low student numbers and an unsustainable financial subsidy required to operate the sixth form.
- Current sixth form students in Year 12 and Year 13 will be unaffected and will complete their courses as planned.
- A public consultation is now underway, closing at 12 pm on Friday, October 10, for stakeholders to provide feedback.
Details of the Closure Proposal
The proposal put forward by the Local Governing Challenge Board of South Wirral High School outlines a phased closure of its post-16 education. If the plan is approved, the school will no longer admit a new cohort of Year 12 students from September 2026. This means the final intake of Year 12 students would be in September 2025.
Students who are currently enrolled in the sixth form, or who will join in September 2025, will not have their education interrupted. The school has given a firm commitment that these students will continue to receive the same standard of teaching and support until they finish their studies in the summer of 2027.
Rationale Behind the Decision
In a formal statement, headteacher Mike Cloherty explained the difficult circumstances that led to the proposal. The school has been subsidizing the sixth form for several years from its main budget, which is intended for students in Years 7 through 11.
This financial support was maintained in the hope that the school's growing popularity in lower years would eventually translate to a larger, more sustainable sixth form. However, this trend has not materialized, and enrolment has remained below the level needed for financial viability.
"The financial subsidy required to maintain the provision has now reached a level that is unsustainable," the statement read. "Unfortunately, despite the strong growth in student numbers lower down the school, Sixth Form enrolment has not followed the same trend."
Understanding Sixth Form Funding
Sixth forms in England are funded on a per-student basis. Smaller sixth forms often struggle to cover the high fixed costs of employing specialist A-level teachers and providing necessary facilities. When student numbers are low, the funding received may not be enough to cover these costs, forcing the school to use funds from its budget for younger pupils to make up the shortfall.
Impact on Students and the Community
The school's leadership has been clear that the proposal's primary focus is to secure the long-term financial health of the main school. By ceasing to subsidize the sixth form, more resources can be dedicated to the education of the larger student body in Years 7-11.
For current and prospective students, the school has outlined a clear path forward. Those already in the sixth form will see no change. For younger students currently in the school, the focus will shift to guiding them towards other local post-16 options.
Mr. Cloherty's statement highlighted the variety of choices available to students in the area.
"For students in Years 7ā11, the Wirral is fortunate to have a wide range of high-quality post-16 options available," he stated. "Each year, students at South Wirral High School are given the opportunity to meet and hear from local sixth form colleges and training providers. This will continue to ensure that all students are fully informed of the options open to them."
Post-16 Education in Wirral
The Wirral area offers a diverse landscape for post-16 education. This includes several large further education colleges, other school-based sixth forms, and apprenticeship providers. This network provides a wide array of A-level subjects, vocational courses, and technical qualifications for school leavers.
The Consultation Process Explained
The proposal is not yet final. The school has initiated a formal consultation period to allow all interested parties to express their opinions. This is a crucial step in the decision-making process and provides a structured way for the community to engage with the school's governing body.
Parents, carers, students, staff, and other stakeholders are invited to participate. The feedback gathered during this period will be carefully considered by the school governors and The Challenge Academy Trust before a final decision is made.
How to Participate
The school has provided details on how individuals can submit their views. The consultation period is now open and will run for several weeks.
- Who can comment: Parents, students, staff, and members of the local community.
- What is being discussed: The proposal to cease admitting new Year 12 students from September 2026.
- Deadline for responses: All feedback must be submitted by 12 pm on Friday, October 10.
This process ensures that the final decision is made with a full understanding of the potential impacts on the school and the wider Eastham community. The outcome of the consultation will be announced after all responses have been reviewed.