Following a constructive meeting this afternoon between Erewash MP Maggie Throup, Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy (OIEA) and the Ormiston Trust, it has been agreed that the Academy will continue to have individual conversations with the students and their parents, as well as other sixth form providers in the area, so that alternative personalised curriculum pathways are found.
As a direct result of Maggie’s intervention, the Academy has now confirmed that it will support a cohort of current Year 12 students from next September when they move into Year 13, where alternative suitable provision cannot be found at other establishments.
Maggie Throup MP said:
“I remain committed to working with the Academy to ensure the best possible outcome for all current Year 12 students to ensure they will not be disadvantaged by this recent decision. Longer term I am optimistic that the 11-16 students will have the very best education, and I will continually hold the Academy, and its trust, to account to ensure that this is the case.
“In addition I will still be meeting with the Education Secretary when Parliament returns next week to discuss the situation further.”
OIEA Principal Dave Smith said:
“The decision to close the sixth form was incredibly difficult and I share the disappointment of students and parents. The interests of our young people are always our number one priority, and that is why I am pleased that, if a cohort of current Year 12 students are not able to find suitable places at other providers for next September, we will continue to support them.”