A Valleys sixth form in Rhondda Cynon Taf is facing closure, with students to be relocated to another school, according to a recent decision by the local council. Mountain Ash Comprehensive School’s sixth form will be shut down, and students will be transferred to Aberdare Community School as part of cost-saving measures approved by the RCT Council’s cabinet.
The closure of Mountain Ash Comprehensive School’s sixth form is scheduled to be completed by September 2026, with no new year 12 students to be admitted starting from September 2025. Following a consultation on the plans, where 218 out of 248 respondents (87.9%) disagreed with the proposal, the decision was made to proceed with the relocation of students to another school.
The council cited concerns over the viability and sustainability of the sixth form at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, noting that the current delivery of post-16 education was inefficient due to small class sizes and limited curriculum choices. Financial challenges were also highlighted, with a funding shortfall of over £125,000 for the last academic year at the school.
Despite efforts to collaborate with neighbouring schools in the Cynon Valley to expand the curriculum offerings, the council deemed the current setup to be fragmented and unsustainable. The number of pupils attending the sixth form at Mountain Ash Comprehensive has declined significantly over the years, from 144 in 2014-2015 to 72 in the current academic year.
The relocation of students to Aberdare Community School is expected to streamline post-16 education provision and reduce surplus places at both schools. Additionally, arrangements with St. John Baptist Church in Wales High School and Coleg y Cymoedd will continue to offer alternative options for students in the area.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, the cabinet member for education, supported the decision, stating that the rationale for the proposals was sound. Council leader Andrew Morgan assured that staff affected by the closure would receive support and opportunities for redeployment within the school system.
The closure of the sixth form at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is projected to have a positive impact on the budgetary positions of both schools involved. The council will closely monitor any financial implications arising from the closure and incorporate them into the medium-term financial planning to ensure a smooth transition for the students and staff.
Overall, this decision reflects the ongoing challenges faced by educational institutions in managing resources and ensuring the delivery of high-quality education for students. By consolidating resources and streamlining post-16 education provision, the RCT Council aims to address the financial and operational challenges while maintaining educational standards for students in the region.