Sleaford Joint Sixth Form

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Coordinates: 52°59′57.30″N 0°24′51.01″W / 52.9992500°N 0.4141694°W / 52.9992500; -0.4141694
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Sleaford Joint Sixth Form
Location
Map
Sleaford
,
Lincolnshire

England
Information
TypeSixth Form
MottoChoice – Opportunity – Success
Established1983
Local authorityLincolnshire
GenderMixed
Age16 to 18
Websitehttps://sleafordjsf.org/

Sleaford Joint Sixth Form is a partnership in Sleaford, England, between Carre's Grammar School, Kesteven and Sleaford High School and St George's Academy. It enables sixth-formers based at them to study individual courses offered at any of the schools. This makes provision more economical and gives students a choice of approximately 60 A-Level or Level 3 vocational courses.

After the Second World War, Sleaford had three secondary schools, each with sixth forms: the boys-only selective Carre's Grammar School, the girls-only selective Kesteven and Sleaford High School and the mixed secondary modern, Sleaford Secondary Modern School (the predecessor of St George's Academy). In the 1970s, the government encouraged and later mandated the local authority to replace this arrangement with a comprehensive system. Having three schools was deemed uneconomical so the government wanted the town to have two comprehensive schools with sixth forms or two comprehensives and a sixth form college, but local councillors and many parents preferred to retain three schools with their own sixth forms, causing a protracted debate which only ended when Margaret Thatcher's government reversed the previous policy on comprehensive schools in 1979, allowing the town to retain its selective system and three schools.

This arrangement left the three schools with small, uneconomical sixth forms which limited options for students. From 1979, Carre's and the High School began informally coordinating their timetable and from 1980 the local authority proposed formalising a collaboration involving all three schools. Each schools' governing body approved the plans, which were then signed off by Lincolnshire County Council in early 1983. This was rolled out in September 1983, with the sixth forms having a common timetable and sharing teaching. Initially having 200 students on roll, it expanded to almost 800 pupils by the late 2000s and went from having 19 course options in 1983 to over 40 by 2007. In 2010, the High School departed from the arrangement, but returned in 2016 after the school joined the multi-academy trust that manages Carre's.

History[edit]

Background[edit]

The Education Act 1944 made secondary education compulsory for all pupils aged 11 to 15. It also introduced a "tripartite system" of secondary schooling which provided curricula based on aptitude and ability: grammar schools for "academic" pupils, secondary moderns for practical studies, and technical schools for science and engineering. Fees were abolished in state schools. Pupils were allocated to them depending on their score in the eleven-plus examination.[1][2]

In Sleaford, the existing boys' school, Carre's Grammar School, had previously charged fees subsidised by funding from Kesteven County Council, while admitting some children funded by local authority scholarships. After the 1944 Act, it became a voluntary controlled grammar school under local authority management from 1945.[3] The girls' school, Kesteven and Sleaford High School, had also charged fees while admitting some pupils with scholarships; it converted to being a state grammar school from 1945 as well.[4] Both selected pupils based on performance on the County Selection Examination,[5][6] the eleven-plus examination.[7] The local authority-run Sleaford Council School was also split, with its senior department (catering for pupils aged over 11), becoming legally separate as the town's secondary modern school in 1945.[8]

Comprehensive debate: two schools or three for Sleaford?[edit]

The educational opportunities for secondary modern pupils were limited compared to those at grammar schools, prompting criticism of the tripartite system.[9][10] In 1965, the Labour Government issued Circular 10/65 requesting Local Education Authorities implement comprehensive schooling.[9][10] In 1970, Kesteven County Council proposed replacing the three school selective system in the town with two comprehensive schools: this would have involved expanding Carre's and the High School as co-educational comprehensives for 11–18 year olds, with the secondary modern being abolished and parkland at Westholme becoming both schools' playing fields.[11] In 1971 Sleaford parents voted in favour of comprehensive education, but rejected the Council's proposals.[12] New plans were unveiled in 1972–73: the High School and the Secondary Modern sites were to become mixed 11–16 schools and Carre's would become a sixth form college.[13][n 1] Parents voted for the plans with a 50% turnout.[15] The County Council approved them, but allowed governors a veto.[16] Following negotiations with governors at Carre's, the scheme was revised in 1974 so that Carre's and the High School became 11–18 schools; the secondary modern would be closed.[17]

Despite support from most staff and all three headteachers,[18][19] Lincolnshire County Council (Kesteven County Council's successor body) voted to return the scheme for consultation in 1975.[18] Two of the leading opponents, councillors Eric Fairchild and Reg Brealey, were governors at the secondary modern and Brealey was a former pupil there.[20] The latter proposed a three-school system, arguing it offered more choice: the secondary modern would be consolidated at Westholme as a single-site 11–16 school; Carre's and the High School would operate Sixth Forms.[21] The Education Act 1976 rejected the principle of selection in state schooling and empowered the government to compel local authorities to convert their schools to comprehensive schemes.[22] After the government ordered Lincolnshire County Council to submit a comprehensive proposal in 1977, it voted to submit the three-school system, but with each school having its own sixth form; this had become popular with parents and was championed by Brealey.[23][24][25] But, the Labour Education Secretary, Shirley Williams, dismissed the proposals in 1978 on grounds that the schools would be too small to be viable.[26] The council then voted against the two-school system again.[27]

In the 1979 general election, Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government came to power and shortly afterwards it repealed much of the Education Act 1976 and thus allowed local authorities to retain grammar schools (where they still existed) through the Education Act 1979.[28][29] In Lincolnshire, the Council shifted focus towards retaining its remaining grammar schools (including those in the Sleaford area) and improving schools where work had been put on hold during the comprehensive debate.[30]

Planning for a joint sixth form[edit]

During the comprehensive debate in the 1970s, central government had found that having three separate sixth forms in Sleaford would be unviable because each sixth form would be so small that it would "diver[t] ... teaching resources from the main school[s]" and "restrict [the] range" of A-Level courses that each school council offer.[31] Duplication of courses between the schools was also a potential problem leading to inefficiencies.[32] The county council was determined to maintain the existing system of schooling in Sleaford despite these issues.[32]

In 1979, Carre's Grammar School and KSHS began working towards what the KSHS headteacher Neville McFarlane called "rationalisation" of the sixth form timetable. By the end of 1980, the two grammar schools were looking to create a common timetable.[32] At that time, the council's education officers prepared a report for the council's Schools Sub-Committee which asked it to consider putting these informal arrangements on a formal footing and involving Sleaford Secondary Modern School.[33][32] The proposals were well-received, with the headteacher at the secondary modern, John Hodgson, arguing that a joint sixth form would widen choice and make sixth form provision in the town more economical.[32] The heads of the 11 to 16 secondary modern schools in nearby Billinghay and Ruskington were also in favour and hoped that it would enable more vocational courses to be taught in Sleaford as many leavers were having to take these courses at Lincoln or Grantham.[32] In September 1981, the two grammar schools adopted a common timetable for their sixth forms, with some courses jointly staffed.[34]

In July 1982, the county's Education Committee approved the principle of the three sixth forms working together, with the secondary modern expected to synchronise its timetable with the grammar schools from September 1983; the governors of the three schools were asked to approve those plans.[35] By then, all three headteachers backed the proposal for a full joint sixth form.[36] The governors approved the plans too in October 1982.[37] The Schools Sub-Committee formally approved the joint sixth form plans in November 1982;[38] they were then approved by the Education Committee in January 1983 and the full county council in February 1983.[37][39]

Operation: 1980s to 2000s[edit]

The joint sixth form was in operation from the autumn of 1983.[40][41] The arrangement allows for students to take sixth form courses at any of the three schools regardless of which one they are based at, maximising the options available to them, avoiding duplication and maximising efficiency in course provision.[42]

A permanent employee was made responsible for coordinating the joint sixth form.[43] Lawrence Denholm ceased to be director of sixth form studies in 1988 and was replaced by Peter Wheeldon in 1989,[44][45] who was in turn succeeded by Gordon Kay, who held the post from 1993 until 2011.[46][47][48]

When it opened, the joint sixth form had approximately 200 pupils on roll.[43] By 1988, SJSF had 250 students on roll across the three schools and offered 19 courses, a high number of options relative to other parts of the county. By the mid 2000s, there were over 700 pupils in SJSF. Entry was planned to rise to 450 by 2008, meaning a total enrolment of 780 students. In 2007, they could chose from 37 A-Level options (including 4 applied A-Level courses), two BTECs, one diploma and nine Level 2 qualifications.[49] The proportion of A-Levels at A or B grade increased from 35% in 2000 to 43% by 2007, with the proportion at A-C grade rising from 56% to 70% over the same period.[49]

Membership changes: 2010 to 2016[edit]

Kesteven and Sleaford High School departed from the joint sixth form from September 2010.[50] The reason for their departure was not made clear, with the parties disputing responsibility for the decision. Kesteven and Sleaford High School told the Lincolnshire Echo that St George's College Technology's conversion to an academy made it legally impossible for the two schools to operate under a formal agreement together.[51] The Sleaford Standard stated that the High School had decided to go its own way, quoting the headteachers from the other two schools,[50] while the Echo reported that "it is thought that the high school wanted out of the joint status because it wants to raise entry level grades to drive up attainment."[51]

In 2014, the governors of Carre's Grammar School announced their intention to bid for conversion to a multi-academy trust and become a coeducational, selective school on a new site;[52] in February 2015, Kesteven and Sleaford High School announced its intention to join the proposed trust, a move welcomed by Carre's.[53] On 1 September 2015, the school officially became part of the Robert Carre Multi-Academy Trust, which would see the schools operate on their sites sharing staff and facilities.[54] In 2016, KSHS rejoined the Sleaford Joint Sixth Form.[55][54][56]

Structure[edit]

Dress code[edit]

The Joint Sixth Form has a dress code that applies across all sites. It states that students can wear a "smart, formal" suit with a shirt and tie; a "smart, formal" jacket worn with a blouse or top and a skirt or trousers; or a "smart, formal" jacket and dress. Smart footwear must be worn. In the winter, a jumper can be worn under the jacket and/or a coat over the jacket. When wearing a tie, students at Carre's are required to wear the prescribed school sixth form tie. All students have to wear a lanyard on site.[57]

Curriculum[edit]

Courses and learning support[edit]

The Joint Sixth Form allows pupils to choose from around 60 vocational or academic subjects including as of 2024: A-Levels in biology; chemistry; computing; design engineering; drama; English language and/or literature; French; history; geography; German; fashion and textiles; law; mathematics; further mathematics; media studies; philosophy, ethics and religion; photography; physical education; physics; product design; psychology; sociology and Spanish. There are also BTEC/CTEC options in applied science; art; photography; business; computing; performing arts; and travel and tourism; as well as other diplomas or certificates in bricklaying, carpentry, childcare, early years practice, health and social care, hospitality, physical education and uniformed services.[58]

The schools offer transition packs for students moving from GCSE to A-Level[59] as well as study guides for each subject.[60]

Extra-curriculars[edit]

The Joint Sixth Form also encourages sixth formers to undertake work experience and has said that "it is our intention to facilitate work experience for Year 12 students towards the end of the summer term."[61] Extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, drama, volunteering, student voice and academic clubs are available through each school and are site-specific.[62][63][64][65] In the early 2020s, teams from the SJSF have attended meetings with Sleaford's MP Caroline Johnson,[66] or have taken part in North Kesteven District Council's Question Time NK event, with the Heads of School Council from Carre's reviewing the event.[67]

Directors[edit]

Between 1983 and 2012, SJSF had its own director (initially titled "Director of Sixth Form Studies"). The role was advertised for appointment in autumn 1983.[68] The longest serving was Gordon Kay, who was in the office from 1993 until his retirement in 2011.

After the introduction of a new governance structure in 2002, the director's role included "clearly defined delegated responsibilities for the leadership and management of the collaboration ... [and] overall responsibility for the effectiveness of the curriculum [and] for ensuring that financial transfers between the schools are as small as possible".[42] The director was also a member of the Joint Committee of Chairs of Governors, Vice Chairs and Heads, who coordinated the SJSF, and was chair of the steering group for headteachers, the curriculum, pastoral, exam and quality assurance teams.[69]

List of directors and directors of studies[edit]

Years Name Notes
1984–1988 Lawrence Denholm Denholm left his position as director of studies at SJSF in 1988 to take up the post of vice-principal at the Djanogly City Technology College in Nottingham (which opened in 1989).[44]
1988–1989 John Charles Hodgson[70] Born in Stockton-on-Tees, Hodgson was educated at Darlington and graduated from Durham University with a BA in Classics. He qualified as a teacher in 1957 and taught at Stockton Grammar School and the Fryerns Comprehensive School in Basildon; he became acting head at several schools in Huddersfield before he was appointed headteacher at Sleaford Secondary Modern School in 1973.[70] He was also the director of SJSF during the 1988–89 year.[71] Hodgson retired as head at St George's College of Technology (the secondary modern's successor) in 1998.[72]
1989–1993 Peter Leonard Wheeldon[73] Wheeldon started teaching in 1973 as a French and German teacher at a comprehensive school in Basildon. After being promoted to assistant head of the sixth form, he moved to a comprehensive school in Witham in 1979, where he spent five years as careers coordinator. From 1984 to 1985, he was head of the sixth form at the King's School in Gütersloh, Germany, a school for teaching the children of British armed forces personnel.[74] Wheeldon became director of studies at SJSF in 1989 and was deputy headteacher at Carre's from 1993 to 1998 before serving as headteacher at Carre's from 1998 to 2003.[74][75]
1993–2011 Gordon W. M. Kay[49] Kay was head of sixth form at Redhill School in Nottingham before he was appointed director of SJSF in 1993.[47] He retired in 2011.[48]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The proposal involved the abolition of the eleven-plus examination and the establishment of five co-educational comprehensive schools at Sleaford Secondary Modern, Sleaford High, Ruskington Secondary Modern, Lafford High and Billingborough Secondary Modern, with Carre's being converted into a sixth form college.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ward & Eden 2009, pp. 34–35
  2. ^ "Education Act 1944", Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  3. ^ Ellis 1954, pp. 38–39
  4. ^ Edmonds & Venn 1977, pp. 25, 27, 59
  5. ^ Ellis 1954, pp. 39
  6. ^ Edmonds & Venn 1977, p. 59
  7. ^ Richard E. Gross, Secondary Education: Overview and Appraisals (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1965), p. 175.
  8. ^ HM Inspectors of Schools 1949, p. 2.
  9. ^ a b "Comprehensive schools: the history". Times Higher Education. 15 January 1996. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  10. ^ a b Ward & Eden 2009, pp. 36–37
  11. ^ "Schools' Long Term Policy". Sleaford Standard. 6 March 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Schools Switch—The Count-down starts next week". Sleaford Standard. 5 January 1973.
  13. ^ "New School for 600 in Plan". Sleaford Standard. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "Schools Switch – The Count-Down Starts Next Week". Sleaford Standard. 5 January 1973. p. 3. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ "Parents Vote for Schools Reshuffle". Sleaford Standard. 4 May 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "All-In Schools Go-Ahead, Now for the Crunch". Sleaford Standard. 3 August 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ^ "Decision Day for All-In Schools Plan". Sleaford Standard. 20 December 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ a b Lenton, Bob (10 January 1975). "Schools Plan Delay Stuns Teachers". Sleaford Standard. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "Schools Plans – Heads and Staff 'Agreed'". Sleaford Standard. 17 January 1975. p. 3. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ Lenton, Bob (10 January 1975). "Schools Plan Delay Stuns Teachers". Sleaford Standard. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "Millionaire in Fight to Save His Old School". Sleaford Standard. 17 January 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. ^ Education Act 1976 (1976, c. 81), ss. 1–2.
  23. ^ "School's Life in Balance". Sleaford Standard. 31 March 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  24. ^ "'Three School' Plan Victory". Sleaford Standard. 5 May 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 17 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. ^ "Three School Plan Victory". Sleaford Standard. 7 July 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  26. ^ "Three-School Scheme Is Thrown Out". Sleaford Standard. 30 March 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  27. ^ "It's the Three-School Scheme: County Throws out Two-School Idea". Sleaford Standard. 27 July 1978. p. 9. Retrieved 17 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  28. ^ Education Act 1979 (1979, c. 49), s. 1.
  29. ^ Anne Beauvallet, "Thatcherism and Education in England: A One-Way Street?", Observatoire de la société britannique, vol. 17 (2015), pp. 97–114.
  30. ^ "Bright Future for Grammars". Sleaford Standard. 17 May 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 14 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  31. ^ "All-in Schools Too Small Says Shirley". Lincolnshire Echo. 19 April 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "Heads Study Sixth Form Merger". Sleaford Standard. 25 December 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  33. ^ "Sixth-Form Merger at Sleaford Proposed". Lincolnshire Echo. 16 December 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  34. ^ "Lessons for Higher Living". Sleaford Standard. 3 September 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  35. ^ "Joint Sixth-Form Moves Closer". Sleaford Standard. 15 July 1982. p. 2. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  36. ^ Clayton, Andrea (7 October 1982). "Joint Sixth Form Plan Forges on". Sleaford Standard. p. 1. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  37. ^ a b "Governors Give Link Go-Ahead". Sleaford Standard. 21 October 1982. p. 2. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  38. ^ "Joint Sixth Form Plan Welcomed". Sleaford Standard. 2 December 1982. p. 4. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  39. ^ "Blessing to Joint Sixth Form". Sleaford Standard. 25 February 1983. p. 2. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  40. ^ Taylor 2009, p. 146
  41. ^ "Among the Best Equipped School". Sleaford Standard. 9 December 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  42. ^ a b Taylor 2009, pp. 146–147
  43. ^ a b The Times Higher Educational Supplement, 6 May 1983, p. 43.
  44. ^ a b "New Era Dawns for Sixth Form Director". Sleaford Standard. 6 October 1988. p. 2. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  45. ^ "A New Headmaster to Start a New Term". Sleaford Standard. 17 September 1998. p. 7. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  46. ^ "A New Headmaster to Start a New Term". Sleaford Standard. 17 September 1998. p. 7. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  47. ^ a b "Strength in Numbers". Sleaford Standard. 23 September 1993. p. 12. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  48. ^ a b Law, Nick (6 January 2012). "Head's Newsletter – Spring 2012" (PDF). Carre's Grammar School. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  49. ^ a b c Taylor 2009, p. 149
  50. ^ a b "Heads Issue Reassurances after Joint Sixth Form Break up". Sleaford Standard. 12 May 2010. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  51. ^ a b "School Blames Academy for Split from Joint Sixth Form after 27 Years". Lincolnshire Echo. 5 May 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
  52. ^ "Expansion Plans for Carre's". Sleaford Standard. 29 December 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  53. ^ "Three-School Joint Sixth Form Set to Return". Sleaford Standard. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  54. ^ a b "Headteacher Leaves as Kesteven and Sleaford High School Joins Carre's Multi-Academy Trust". Sleaford Standard. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  55. ^ "Three-School Joint Sixth Form Set to Return". Sleaford Standard. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  56. ^ "Sleaford Joint Sixth Form". Kesteven and Sleaford High School. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016.
  57. ^ "Dress Code". Sleaford Joint Sixth Form. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  58. ^ "Choice". Sleaford Joint Sixth Form. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  59. ^ "Transition Packs". Sleaford Joint Sixth Form. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  60. ^ "Study Guides". Sleaford Joint Sixth Form. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  61. ^ "Work Experience and Careers Advice". Sleaford Joint Sixth Form. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  62. ^ "Sports". Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  63. ^ "Musicals and Theatre". Kesteven and Sleaford High School. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  64. ^ "Extra-Curricular". Carre's Grammar School. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  65. ^ "Extra-Curricular Activities". St George's Academy. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  66. ^ "Sixth Form Students Quiz Local MP". Kesteven & Sleaford High School. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  67. ^ North Kesteven District Council [@NorthKestevenDC] (12 December 2023). "Last week North Kesteven District Council hosted a QuestionTime panel event for teens to tackle hot topics. Over 120 students from all 8 district secondary schools got involved in 2 hours of lively debate, discussing topics from vaping to the urgency for climate action. [Video]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  68. ^ Job advertisement in The Times Higher Educational Supplement, 6 May 1983, p. 43.
  69. ^ Taylor 2009, p. 147
  70. ^ a b "Sleaford School's New Head". Sleaford Standard. 2 February 1973. p. 8. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  71. ^ "Democrat Leader to Visit". Sleaford Standard. 11 April 1989. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  72. ^ "Brief History". St George's College of Technology. Archived from the original on 11 December 2009.
  73. ^ Harmston & Hoare 2003, p. 171
  74. ^ a b "A New Headmaster to Start a New Term". Sleaford Standard. 17 September 1998. p. 7. Retrieved 12 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  75. ^ "Why Peter Has Decided to Leave the Whirl of School Life behind after 14 Years". Lincolnshire Echo. 17 January 2003. p. 21.

Bibliography[edit]

52°59′57.30″N 0°24′51.01″W / 52.9992500°N 0.4141694°W / 52.9992500; -0.4141694

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