West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local people to have their say as a Malvern secondary school consults on withdrawing its sixth form.

Demand for A Levels at Dyson Perrins Academy has fallen, with half of the number of pupils opting to continue their studies at the school beyond GCSEs than four years ago. Just 42 pupils have applied for places in September.

The school is carrying out a consultation and has written to parents asking for their views before making a final decision.

The changes will not affect the two other local schools with sixth form provision - The Chase or Hanley Castle High School, where the school is currently expanding to receive more pupils.

Malvern parents currently also opt to send their children to Worcester Sixth Form College and Hereford Sixth Form College to carry on their studies after GCSE.

Harriett commented: “I have been briefed on the proposed changes and have written to headteacher Mike Gunston offering him my support through this difficult process.

“The reduction in demand for A level teaching at the school has put the staff and Governors in a really difficult place and I urge local parents to make sure they have their say as the school seeks wider views on this plan.

“The school has made great progress in recent years getting a ‘good’ Ofsted rating and I have visited the school on many occasions to talk about the challenges it faces offering a great education for local children.

“Across the sector, I have been active reassuring local head teachers that funding is rising from September and the Department for Education is planning to legislate to make sure every secondary school gets at least £5,000 per pupil.

“Schools offering 16-19 teaching provision will receive an extra £400 million in September – an increase of 4.5 per cent.

“I’ll be awaiting the results of the consultation and will support whatever decision the Governors and headteacher takes.”