Proposals submitted for new sixth form in Bolsover

The Redhill Academy Trust, which runs The Bolsover School, has submitted an application to the Department for Education to open a mainstream free school for ages 16-19 in Bolsover.

Bolsover constituency currently has no further or higher educational facilities, meaning students have to leave the area for post-16 education.

Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher, the regional schools commissioner, Derbyshire Council and The Bolsover School have been working together to establish post-16 provision in Bolsover.

Aspire Sixth Form, a previous attempt to rectify the lack of sixth-form in the area, only lasted two years from 2014-16.

Last year, Mr Fletcher presented a report on the cost and times of journeys to local colleges and sixth forms, highlighting how 10 out of the 13 major settlements in the north of his constituency would be better served by a post-16 centre in Bolsover.

He said: “The sixth form would be centrally located in the constituency, give children from low-income family’s opportunities to further their education locally, address poor Key Stage 4 and KS5 education levels, and ultimately, give our children the best possible start in life.”

Matt Hall, The Bolsover School headteacher, said: “The prospect of post-16 provision in Bolsover is exciting.

“To be able to provide our students with a progression route to accessible, local post-16 provision will go a long way to raising the aspirations of students who attend The Bolsover School for years to come.”