Sixth form education will brought back to Trinity Catholic School in Leamington sooner than anticipated

The date has been brought forward to September 2020, rather than the original date of September 2021 that had originally been envisaged.

In 2018 the sixth form was suspended for a period of one year to allow the Interim Executive Board (IEB) and the Senior Leadership Team an opportunity to address both curriculum and financial pressures that faced the school.

Many parents have campaigned and protested against measures brought in by the IEB, including the introduction of a more formal approach to calling teachers by their surnames, instead of first names.

In September 2019 Bishop David McGough outlined, in an open letter to the Catholic Education community, a commitment to the continued provision of Catholic education at Trinity Catholic School and since then both the IEB and the leadership team have worked to build the capacity to return to Post 16 courses at Trinity.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said: "Due to the uncertainty placed on both pupils and families, the IEB felt it was important to bring forward the option of sixth form provision to September 2020 for those pupils who wished to continue with their education at Trinity.

"The head of sixth form is writing to parents to outline the sixth form offer over the next two years and how this will build and expand alongside partner schools."

Daniel Graham of Trinity School’s Interim Executive Board said: “It’s really great to be able to reintroduce the sixth form at Trinity.

"Ensuring our current Year 11’s can continue their education at Trinity is important to everyone at Trinity, particularly at a time of uncertainty when schools are closed and exams have been cancelled.

"Trinity prides itself on its pastoral care, something that is more important now than ever, and the sixth form provision will allow existing and new students to benefit from this as schools reopen following the lockdown."

Cllr Colin Hayfield, portfolio holder for education and learning at Warwickshire County Council, said: “I congratulate everyone involved for their work on strengthening the school’s position, making it secure enough not only to be able to reintroduce the sixth form but also for it to be brought in ahead of schedule.

"In light of current circumstances, we feel that this is particularly beneficial to reintroduce the sixth form at this earlier date. We recognise the stress that pupils have been facing with their enforced absence owing to the closure of the school due to the Covid-19 crisis and are delighted that we are able to offer them continuity of education when they are able to return to school.”

The Archdiocese of Birmingham welcomed the news saying: “We fully support the fantastic news that the sixth form provision at Trinity School has been secured. It will provide academic pathways and pastoral support to the young people of this community based on the Gospel values.”