Harwich and Dovercourt High School closes down college

The sixth form at Harwich and Dovercourt High School, in Hall Lane, Dovercourt, has closed its doors for the final time this year.

The decision was put forward to the Department of Education due to the college's declining student numbers.

Sign - Harwich and Dovercourt High School (Image: Newsquest) The Gazette understands the college had less than 20 students attend the college and collect their A-level results this year.

Two consultations were launched by The Sigma Trust, of which Harwich and Dovercourt High School is a member, earlier this year. 

A spokesman for The Sigma Trust said: "We launched the consultation because the number of sixth form student enrolments at Harwich had been decreasing over many years and reduced to significantly low numbers in the past few years.

"Due to the low enrolment numbers and subsequent financial viability, we were not able to operate a sixth form with a broad, ambitious curriculum offer.

"Following the outcome of the consultation, the trustees of Sigma Trust met to discuss the views and submitted a formal application to the Department for Education regional director for consideration.

"As a trust, we remain committed to our sixth form provision at Sigma Sixth Colchester and Sigma Sixth Tendring."

Education - Harwich and Dovercourt High School (Image: Newsquest) The school now only provides education to pupils aged 11 to 16. 

Harwich college students will now have to travel either 12 or 20miles to the nearest alternative colleges. 

The closest sixth forms to Harwich are now Tendring Technology College, which is 12 miles away at Frinton, at Clacton, and at Colchester Institute and Colchester Sixth Form, which are both more than 20 miles away.