Sixth form colleges are on “starvation rations” as a result of government funding cuts that have put their survival at risk, according to a report.

Almost four out of every 10 sixth form principals say it is likely their college will cease to be a going concern within five years, according to Tuesday’s report, while seven out of 10 say they cannot provide students with a quality education with the money they are set to receive next year.

Research by the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA), which represents England’s 93 sixth form colleges, reveals an alarming picture of a beleaguered sector “under serious threat”, with almost all college leaders worried about the financial health of their institutions.

In contrast with schools, where the government has largely protected budgets, sixth form colleges have been subjected to three separate funding cuts since 2011, with the threat of more to come as the treasury seeks further savings.

Without investment, sixth form colleges will be unable to provide young people with the high-quality education they need James Kewin, SFCA deputy chief executive

As a result students are being taught in larger classes, courses are being dropped and enrichment activities slashed. Steve Oxlade, principal of Reigate college and executive principal at Coulsdon college, said: “The situation is as dire as you can imagine. My guess is that by 2020 no more than 10 sixth form colleges will be financially viable unless they take drastic action now.” There were more than 120 sixth form colleges in 1992.

The research is published in the same week that sixth formers will receive their A-level results, and hot on the heels of last month’s government announcement that it is planning an area-based review of post-16 education, which will result in colleges either closing or merging, leaving “fewer, often larger, more resilient and efficient providers”.

According to the SFCA, the government’s aim is to increase the number of school and academy sixth forms – not included in the review – even though sixth form colleges “outperform school and academy sixth forms while educating more disadvantaged students and receiving less funding”.

The SFCA’s impact funding survey concludes: “A further round of funding cuts would seriously affect both the life chances of students and the very existence of the sector.”

The report claims students who face either financial or educational disadvantages will suffer disproportionately, with 83% of college leaders concerned they will be unable to provide the support required.



The proportion of college principals who say they are either “extremely concerned” or “concerned” about the financial health of their college is 96%, and 36% believe it is “extremely likely” or “likely” that their college will cease to be a going concern by 2020.



Seventy-two per cent of sixth form principals say they have had to drop courses, with 39% forced to do so in modern foreign languages. A-levels in German, Spanish and French have been the main casualties.



‘This report highlights the damage to students caused by the three funding cuts’ – James Kewin, SFCA deputy chief executive Photograph: Frank Baron/The Guardian

Almost a quarter (24%) have cut STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), regarded by the government as vital in ensuring that young people are equipped for a modern workforce.

In addition, 76% of colleges say they have cut extracurricular sport, music, drama and educational visits, and 81% have larger classes as a result of recent cuts

James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the SFCA, said: “This report highlights the damage to students caused by the three funding cuts imposed on sixth form colleges since 2011.



“The sector cannot survive on starvation rations, and without more investment, sixth form colleges will be unable to provide young people with the high-quality education they need to progress to higher education and employment.”

Kewin called on the government to conduct an urgent review of funding across all stages of education and end funding inequalities between sixth form colleges and school and academy sixth forms.

Unlike schools, sixth form colleges are not eligible for VAT refunds, which, according to the SFCA, left the average sixth form college with £317,964 less to spend on education last year.

At Reigate college, Oxlade has seen his annual budget shrink from £12.1m in 2012 to £9.7m in 2016; as a result, students now have less teaching time, teacher workload has gone up 18%, and 15% of staff have gone part-time.

By September, Oxlade believes most sixth form colleges will have been forced to axe the fourth subject that students have so far been offered in lower sixth. “If there are future cuts, I can’t see how sixth form colleges are going to survive,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education defended its record on post-16 education: “We have protected the schools budget and ended the unfair difference between post-16 schools and colleges by funding them per student rather than discriminating between qualifications.

“We have provided sufficient funds for every full-time student to do a full timetable of courses, and increased support for those who successfully study four or more A-levels and large TechBacc programmes.

“Thousands more students are staying in education or training after the age of 16, giving them the skills and experience they need to thrive at university, work or an apprenticeship.”

The Association of School and College Leaders recently wrote to the education secretary, Nicky Morgan, and the chancellor, George Osborne, expressing concern about the plight of 16-19 education.

Malcolm Trobe, the deputy general secretary, said: “The level of 16-19 education funding is far too low and this sector is in danger of being turned into a ‘Cinderella service’, despite its obvious importance to young people and to the country.

“Given such low levels of funding, it is simply not possible to employ teachers in every subject area and this is leading to key subjects being dropped from the curriculum.

“Along with a number of other associations we have recently written letters to the education secretary and the chancellor expressing our concerns and urging action. The education of 16- to 19-year-olds is crucial both to students personally and to the economic wellbeing of the country. The government must urgently address this situation.”

Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, added: “The SFCA survey confirms the critical situation for sixth form colleges. NUT surveys have shown that funding cuts since 2010 have already led 75% of colleges to cut courses or cut teaching time for students. The Conservatives’ plans for more cuts will further damage colleges’ ability to develop the skills of our young people.”

Russell Hobby, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “In the week when we find out A-Level results, this report is a further blow to the government’s desire to increase the take up of Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), and languages; almost a quarter of colleges in the report have cut Stem subjects from their curriculum offer, with four in ten cutting language A-evels.