Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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MP adds to concerns about loss of sixth form at Seaford Head
Seaford’s MP Norman Baker has expressed concern at the decision to suspend the sixth form at Seaford Head, and has raised the matter directly with the Head of Children’s Services at the County Council, Matt Dunkley, and has also had a long phone call with the council about the matter. The MP has received a significant number of letters and emails from concerned constituents.
Norman Baker says: "I have three main concerns about this matter. Firstly, I think the way that parents and pupils found out about the plans was indefensible. There should have been a proper consultation exercise carried out, when the rationale behind the move could be explained, and options considered. I am afraid that this echoes the poor way in which the changes to school uniform were handled.
"Secondly, by suspending the sixth form rather than proposing its closure, the school has neatly sidestepped the formal process of consultation and approval that would otherwise be necessary, yet the end result may be the same. This is no limit to how long a suspension can last.
"Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, we have to ask why a large town the size of Seaford, with close to 25,000 inhabitants, cannot apparently support a single sixth form, in marked contrast to smaller communities like Ringmer. My understanding is that numbers in the sixth form were actually increasing, but by suspending it now, it makes it highly unlikely that there will be sixth form provision in the town for many years, as students drift away to other establishments."
The MP concluded: "I think the school and the county council should think again before it is too late."