A LACK of choice in post-16 education means Worcester students are missing out, says the headteacher leading the fight for school sixth forms in the city.

Sean Devlin, of Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, said he disagreed with the principals of the city's colleges who told the Worcester News last month the introduction of school sixth forms would actually reduce choice.

Mr Devlin's school has been at the forefront of the proposal to create school sixth forms in Worcester. He argues that it would give students more choice, including giving the option to stay on and learn in a Catholic environment.

He said: "A sixth form at Blessed Edward Oldcorne or another faith-based city school, or within an existing 11-16 school, removes the artificial barriers that prevent choice and diversity from playing a full part in delivering a good education for every child.

"That choice should not be constrained by inadequate funding but should increase the pressure for increased funding.

"A school-based sixth form provides the equality of opportunity for all young people in Worcester that exists everywhere else in the county."

An independent review of post-16 education in Worcester has now been set up and will consider whether Mr Devlin's suggestion is viable, or whether it would duplicate what the colleges already offer.

But Mr Devlin said school sixth forms in Pershore and Malvern did not create friction with colleges.

He added: "I want a genuine partnership at post-14 and post-16 with students moving between institutions selecting courses that they wish without the constraints that are presently imposed post-16.

"We should be aiming to provide the education environment that meets the needs of every individual student and also not be perceiving school-based sixth form education as being just A-level provision."

The Learning and Skills Council has named former lecturer Tim Clark as independent chairman of the education review.

Chris Morecroft, head of Worcester College of Technology, said: "The setting up of school sixth forms will lead to a bigger choice in institutions but a smaller choice of subjects."

Mr Devlin says his experience in the other parts of the country led him to believe greater choice of institutions is beneficial.

He said: "In west London, where I was acting head before transferring to Westminster, my school had a thriving 1,100 population of pupils between 11 and 16 and a successful and thriving sixth form, alongside a Catholic sixth form in a neighbouring LEA."