GLOUCESTERSHIRE College has confirmed that it will no longer offer A-Levels.

Letters have gone to prospective students this week from assistant principal Dr Karen Morris advising that A-Levels will not be offered at any of its sites.

It means that from September only Wyedean School in Sedbury and Newent School will offer the post-16 qualification – although Dene Magna in Mitcheldean has signalled its desire to run courses from next year.

The letter from Dr Morris states: “I am writing to advise that Gloucestershire College will not be offering A-Level courses for new students from September 2017 at any of our campuses.

“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly and we very much regret that it has been necessary.

“The college has taken this difficult decision due to declining student numbers applying for A-Level courses.

“There are several reasons for this including a significant drop in the number of young people aged 16 to 18 in the county, which will remain the case for several years and there has been an increase in the number of sixth form places available in the county’s secondary schools.

“In addition, pupils are being encouraged to stay at their schools after Year 11 or choose a school sixth form option rather than come to college.”

She said the college would like to discuss options with students and the college will be open on Friday, August 25 – the day after GCSE results come out – to offer assistance.

Assistant principal Peter White said many parents did not realise that more people with BTECs

went to university than with A-Levels.

He said: “We held open evenings to discuss with parents the options and many did not realise that BTECs are a very popular route into university.”

Dean Magna announced recently that it planned to consult on opening a sixth form with a view to running courses from September 2018.