Okehampton College will not run Year 12 intake this September

Okehampton College has announced it will not be starting a new Year 12 sixth form group from September due to low student numbers. The college was unable to offer “the wide range of subjects that students deserve” after insufficient numbers signed up for post-16 study. As a result, only four of the 18 subjects on offer would have been financially and educationally sustainable to teach.
Principal Gareth Smith said discussions about “the future” of post-16 education at the school had been taking place since June and described the decision not to recruit a new Year 12 cohort as a difficult one.
In letters sent to parents, carers and students, Mr Smith said the sixth form had “always been a special part of our school”.
“Some of my best teaching memories are with sixth form students – they bring energy, maturity and inspiration to our community,” he said.
He added that the challenge was not unique to Okehampton, with sixth forms across the country “finding it harder to offer the breadth of subjects students want”.
Mr Smith said this was partly linked to government plans for new post-16 pathways, including V Levels, alongside “more technical options and clearer routes” into higher education, apprenticeships and skilled employment.
“These changes aim to give students more choice and flexibility, but they also highlight why smaller sixth forms are struggling to keep up,” he said.
The principal said the college’s priority was now “to make sure every student finds the right next step”. Support will include information sessions and open evenings, working alongside teams from Tavistock College Sixth Form, Queen Elizabeth’s School Sixth Form and Exeter College to help students explore alternative post-16 options.
The lack of applications may also be attributed to the railway which now links Okehampton with Crediton and Exeter, making travel to and from college easier for students who wish to broaden their horizons. However, the delay in making the announcement has dismayed some parents. One comment on Facebook reads: “What a disappointment that the sixth form isn't opening in September 2026. Left it too late to even go to other opening evenings for other sixth forms. And now only have two weeks before deadlines closures for other provisions. The college made this decision in December so why has it taken too long to let current year 11's know?”