A SHAKE-UP of post-16 education in Yate and Chipping Sodbury could see the area’s current sixth form provision, Cotswold Edge, run by a single school on one site.
Cotswold Edge Sixth Form is currently run jointly by Brimsham Green School, Chipping Sodbury School and Yate Academy.
That will change from this September, when Yate Academy opens its own sixth form on its site in Sundridge Park, operating independently of Cotswold Edge.
Now Chipping Sodbury School has launched a consultation on plans to end sixth form teaching altogether at its site in Bowling Road, and change its official age range to 11-16.
This would mean all Chipping Sodbury pupils staying in education after their GCSEs would have to do so at other schools or colleges.
It would also mean Cotswold Edge Sixth Form would be based entirely at Brimsham Green School, in Broad Lane.
Brimsham Green says it is “fully committed” to the sixth form, which currently has 252 students.
Cotswold Edge would continue to be open to students from all three schools, and from further afield.
School faces ‘on-going and growing deficit’
A ‘briefing note’ shared on Chipping Sodbury School’s website said: “The numbers of students progressing into the sixth form from Chipping Sodbury School have been low in recent years and the main school budget is subsidising the staffing costs.”
The school said it had an “on-going and growing deficit forecast” of over £300,000 for the next three years, with the sixth form deficit more than £100,000 this year and expected to rise to more than £130,000 next year.
The note added: “The examination outcomes for students in the sixth form are broadly average with an average grade of C-.”
It said ending sixth form provision at Chipping Sodbury would free up “very experienced staff” currently needed to teach A-level groups to address priorities in teaching younger pupils, as well as a “very large suite of rooms” in the centre of the school site and “quite a considerable amount of leadership capacity”.
Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young says she is “very concerned” that sixth form provision at Chipping Sodbury School could end, and has asked for meetings with head teacher Rob Skipp and South Gloucestershire Council.
A final decision is expected to be made in October.
The change would take effect for students starting courses in September 2026, who are currently in Year 10.
Sixth form will ‘continue to thrive’ at Brimsham Green
Brimsham Green School currently hosts most of the courses offered by Cotswold Edge Sixth Form.
The school’s head of sixth form, Ross Brown, said that from this September 17 of the 25 Cotswold Edge courses would be offered at Brimsham Green, rising to a total of 30 A-level and vocational qualifications next year.
He said: “We want to reassure our community that, despite this development, Cotswold Edge Sixth Form will continue to thrive at Brimsham Green School.
“While we are naturally disappointed to be ending our long-standing partnership with Chipping Sodbury School, we are optimistic about what the future holds for our Sixth Form and our students.
“We understand this could cause concern for students and parents but want to reassure the community that it is not losing its 16-18 education provision.
“Here at Brimsham Green, we are excited about the future success of our Sixth Form. We look forward to continuing to support and educate the young adults of this community.
“Our doors are open to students across Yate, Sodbury, and the surrounding areas.”
Mr Brown said the final decision from Chipping Sodbury School would not impact current Year 12 students or Year 11s who have applied to Cotswold Edge, with both schools jointly delivering courses for them.
He said: “We strongly believe that maintaining a Sixth Form benefits the entire school community: our Sixth Form students serve as role models to younger students, and a vibrant Sixth Form enhances staff recruitment and retention.
“Our key message is that Brimsham Green’s Sixth Form will continue to flourish and serve the local post-16 community of Yate, Chipping Sodbury, and beyond.
“The Sixth Form is central to our school’s culture of aspiration and achievement. The school ensures that its Sixth Form provision is financially secure, well-resourced, and focused on enabling students to excel academically and personally.”
A Cotswold Edge open evening is taking place next Tuesday, June 17, at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from 4.30-6pm.
Tickets can be booked here.
An information evening on the Chipping Sodbury School consultation will be held on June 30 at 6pm in the school’s drama hall.
People who want to attend, or respond to the consultation, should email Sixthform.Consultation@chippingsodburyschool.com.
More details on the consultation are available here.