Stay of execution for Okehampton sixth form

Closure decision deferred until December

A decision on whether to close the sixth form at Okehampton College because of a dwindling intake of students has been deferred until December while it “redoubles efforts” to recruit more.

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is allowing additional time to boost recruitment after an “in depth” consultation with parents, carers and the wider community.

At a public meeting last month principal Gareth Smith said only 12 students had signed up for September from a cohort of 200.

Numbers had reduced over a number of years with the reintroduction of the rail passenger service making it easier to get from Okehampton to Exeter College cited as one of the reasons.

In a statement the trust, which runs the college, said it had received more than 50 written contributions, held a well-attended public consultation evening and engaged in further conversations with key local stakeholders to gather a broad range of views. 

A parent and student survey was also conducted to gain additional insight into local families intentions and preferences for post-16 choices, helping to inform the school’s future planning for the provision.

“Following a full review of the feedback and data collected, the school’s trustees and leadership team have agreed to postpone any change to the age range,” it said.

“ In the coming months, with the support of the wider community, the school will redouble efforts to highlight the wide range of academic, vocational and enrichment opportunities offered by the sixth form currently.

“Marketing efforts, which will be informed by valuable parent and stakeholder feedback, will seek to attract more pupils to the college to ensure that pupil numbers for the 2026 Year 12 cohort are at a viable level to allow the sixth form to remain open.”  

College principal Gareth Smith said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation. The level of engagement from our school community has been thoughtful, constructive, and deeply valued. In light of this, and in recognition of the strong support for our sixth form offering, we believe it is right to allow more time to demonstrate the value and appeal of our post-16 provision.

“We can only deliver sixth form provision if it is viable to do so, as the government funding is based on pupil numbers. We’re proud of the high-quality education our sixth form provides and hope more families will consider choosing Okehampton College as their preferred post-16 destination.”

A final decision on whether to proceed with a formal change will be made by trustees in December 2025.

West Devon Borough Councillor Caroline Mott (Con, Bridestowe) said it was good news: “It’s excellent that the college is listening to the community and seeking ways of keeping the sixth form open.

“Closing it would be detrimental to so many children living in the rural areas outside of Okehampton who face very long days if they have to travel to Exeter.”

Sixth form student A-level student Kathryn Ilott said at the public consultation event that the biggest issue was trying to shift the view younger pupils had of Okehampton College to one that was more positive.

She said “sixth form is a very different place in any school, as all students actually want to be there and to learn”.

Some parents said several changes in leadership had impacted the college which had gone from “outstanding to requires improvement” in ten years.

But former pupils spoke of how the sixth form had been transformative in their lives, had amazing pastoral care  and was the jewel in the crown of the school.