All sixth-form colleges should consider academising, the government has said. In a speech at the Sixth Form Colleges Association annual conference last week, under secretary of state at the Department for Education Baroness Berridge set out a vision for all sixth forms to be part of a multi-academy trust, and urged standalone sixth-form colleges to “consider the benefits of joining a multi-academy trust”.

She said: “What I would like to speak to you about today is how we continue to work together to ensure more and more sixth-form colleges can strive toward these high standards.

“I believe that to do this we must continue to strive toward the academisation of the sixth-form sector.

“The conversion process is necessarily a complex one, and I do appreciate that it can feel frustrating at times. I am committed to working with you to make it as straightforward as possible.”

There are currently 50 standalone sixth forms in England.

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James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the Sixth Form College Association, called for an amendment to the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill to allow 14 Catholic sixth-form colleges to academise.

He said: “In her excellent speech at our summer conference, Baroness Berridge encouraged more sixth-form colleges to form or join a multi-academy trust. We’d like to see an amendment to the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill to allow our 14 Catholic sixth-form colleges to do just that - a development we hope the government would welcome and support.

“Many of the 50 standalone sixth-form colleges in England are considering academy status and we expect more to join the 28 institutions that have academised since 2017. We believe all sixth-form colleges should have the option to academise, but also to remain in the college sector when it makes more sense to do so”.

Sixth-form colleges and the demand for 16-18 places

In November 2020, sixth-form leaders told Tes they needed dedicated funding for expansion or they risked being unable to meet demand for places from 16- to 18-year-olds in the next decade. 

By 2028-29, it is estimated that the number of 16- to 18-year-olds in full-time education will have increased by a quarter of a million - but, at the time, sector leaders warned there was no capacity for them in sixth-form colleges.

In 2020’s Spending Review, the government announced a capital investment of £83 million in 2021-22 to ensure that post-16 providers can accommodate the expected demographic increase in 16- to 19-year-olds in coming years.

And in May 2021, the government officially opened bids for the £83 million fund, to support projects that will add extra capacity where there is a pressing need. 

Baroness Berridge said: “This demonstrates an additional investment in a sector that the government has shown it is serious in supporting to provide a boost to the economy and the education system.  

“Where a provider can demonstrate an acute need for new high-quality buildings and facilities, this investment will ensure there are sufficient places for 16-19 learners in their area to gain the skills they need to progress and help the economy to grow.”

The success of 16-19 academies 

She highlighted the success of 16-19 academies, including Harington School, a 16-19 free school that opened in the town of Oakham in September 2015; Thomas Rotherham College, which is now part of of the Inspire Trust; and New College Pontefract, which is part of the New Collaborative Learning Trust.

There are 61 16-19 academies and free schools that are now open, and the baroness said that of these, 43 are part of trusts that support more than one academy.

She added: “I know that many 16-19 institutions are already part of a multi-academy trust and are realising some of the benefits such as the opportunity to develop staff via experience in multiple institutions and the closer links between different phases that can be enabled by a multi-school structure.

“It is this opportunity for 16-19 institutions to work collaboratively together, extending the reach of high-quality leadership and teaching within a framework of strong accountability for outcomes that this government is encouraging.”

She added: “I urge standalone institutions to consider the benefits of joining a multi-academy trust or establishing their own in partnership with others, and I want leaders to know they will have our full support in doing so.

“We are committed to this because as we build back better after this pandemic, we all need to take action that boosts outcomes for young people.”