Wixams Academy halts 6th form as student numbers dwindle
It looks like Wixams Academy’s 6th form offering will be on hiatus from next month (September).
Cllr Mark Frost revealed the shock move in a post on social media, vowing to find out if any jobs are affected.
He said the academy – which is part of the Knowledge Schools Trust – has confirmed it will not be taking a new year 12 intake for September, effectively pausing the 6th form for the coming academic year.
Though he added that students going into year 13 would be unaffected.
The decision unfortunately comes on the back of a bumper year for A-levels at the Green Lane academy which celebrated its best-ever 6th form results.
48% of students received grades of A*-B – more than doubling the number achieved in 2025 – while A*-C grades rose from 54% to 82%.
But there are just not enough students enrolling to keep it going from September.
“This is disappointing for Wixams families,” wrote Cllr Frost. “Wixams is a growing town. A functioning local 6th form was part of the educational provision our community expected. Families with children approaching GCSEs need confidence that the provision will be there when they need it.”
He vowed to ask Knowledge Schools Trust is there are any redundancies or staffing reductions in the pipeline and how many students would be needed to resurrect the 6th form next year.
We have approached Knowledge Schools Trust for comment.
One parent posted: “My son has just finished year 11 there but has enrolled at Bedford Sixth Form as Wixams just doesn’t offer the range of courses, also they treat the 6th form students like they are still in school and don’t have freedoms such as free periods etc.”
But Cllr Frost said: “There is also a risk of creating a vicious circle. If families lose confidence that the 6th form will operate, pupils will apply elsewhere. That reduces future enrolment and makes reopening even harder.
“The immediate priority must, of course, be the young people affected this year. The academy says it is contacting every student and family individually and is confident suitable alternative places will be found.”