THE potential closure of the Sixth Form at Honiton Community College has prompted pleas for a u-turn from county councillor Phil Twiss.

Ted Wragg Trust has launched a consultation to change the age range of Honiton Community College from 11-18 to 11-16 through a phased closure of the Sixth Form taking effect from August 31, 2025.

In a letter to the Midweek Herald, Cllr Phil Twiss, who represents Honiton and Feniton for Devon County Council, has openly criticised Ted Wragg Trust, expressing his “profound disappointed” in their plans to cease sixth form education at Honiton Community College.

In response to Cllr Twiss' concerns, the Ted Wragg Trust has said that for 2024-25, there are 38 students in Year 13 and none in Year 12.

Cllr Phill Twiss said: “Alternative courses are suggested at other places, many of which are simply impractical.

“The wider impact on the community of Honiton is likely to be significant, as well as potentially crushing the ambitions of local children to access locally further education as easily as other places in Devon, dissuading those with children thinking of moving to Honiton from doing so. There are likely to be longer-term consequences on the wider area in both economic and social contexts because of the short term, easy option the Trustees of the Ted Wragg Trust have taken.

“They have failed dismally to make the prospect of further education via sixth form in Honiton an attractive option and the very short consultation published a few days is a box ticking exercise compounding this failure. This proposal has clearly been in the planning for some time and needs re-thinking. Additionally, there is a single ‘drop in’ session at the Community College on the 7th of October from 4.00 – 6.00pm which doesn’t seem much when the long-term futures of some of our young people is being decided for them considered and appears to have the look of a ‘done deal’.”

Cllr Phil Twiss in his letter urges people, including students, parents and any other interested parties to take part in the consultation and make their views heard. It closes on October 15, and you can respond to it by emailing: honitonconsultation@tedwraggtrust.co.uk and marking your email ‘Consultation on Honiton Sixth Form’ Or by post to Clerk to Governors, Consultation on Honiton Sixth Form, Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust, Cranbrook Education Campus, Tillhouse Road, Cranbrook, EX5 7EE.  

The consultation will be open until October 14, submissions can also be sent to:  honitonconsultation@tedwraggtrust.co.uk. 

Further details about the consultation and Frequently Asked Questions can be found here: https://www.tedwraggtrust.co.uk/hcc-sixth-form-consultation.  

In response, a spokesman for the Ted Wragg Trust said: “The decision to consult on the potential phased closure of the Sixth Form at Honiton Community College (HCC) follows extensive engagement with the school community.  The College currently has 38 students in Year 13, and there are currently no students studying at the Sixth Form in Year 12, with class sizes significantly below the numbers recommended by research undertaken on behalf of the Department for Education.  Over the past months, we’ve worked closely with families to explore ways to increase recruitment, including surveying all students in Years 9 and 10 last summer to understand their future plans. 

“Sadly, retaining a post-16 provision at Honiton Community College is not financially viable.

“We recognise that for the wider community, this may come a surprise, and we remain committed to listening, supporting, and addressing any questions that arise during this process. Our aim in launching this consultation is to ensure the long-term success of Honiton Community College and the wellbeing of all our students.

“If enacted, the change will provide HCC with greater financial stability and help the college enhance their provision for secondary school age students, by allowing them to expand the breadth of their curriculum provision. Honiton Community College is a unique and proud school serving the community of Honiton and surrounding areas and it will continue to provide a caring and supportive environment in which all students can achieve their full potential.”

HCC will be hosting a community consultation drop-in session on Monday, October 7 between 4pm – 6pm at Honiton Community College where colleagues from the school and Trust will be available to answer any questions. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to confirm their attendance in advance by contacting info@tedwraggtrust.co.uk.