MP Steve Barclay fears students could miss out due to lack of sixth form at the Neale-Wade Academy in March

Closure of the sixth form at March Neale-Wade Academy has been criticised by local MP Steve Barclay who fears it will impact students’ futures.

The North East Cambridgeshire MP held a meeting with principal Graham Horn and Lynsey Holzer, CEO of the active Learning Trust, which runs the school, following concerns being raised by parents over the lack of opportunity for their children.

Mr Horn told the MP the school needs a minimum of 130 students across Years 12 and 13 to make a sixth form viable – so 65 in each year group.

Any shortfall on that would mean subsidies would be necessary, with the money having to come from Years 7 to 11.

Over the last five years, the Neale-Wade has seen a steady decline in the number of students opting to remain at the March school for their A-level studies, falling from 199 pupils in 221/22 to just 81in 2024/25 and to 50 in 2025/26.

There are currently 233 students in Year 11 about to take their GCSEs this summer, but only 24 of those were looking to stay on.

Mr Barclay said he had asked what steps the Active Learning Trust and the school have taken to promote the sixth form.

But Mr Horn suggested the lack of interest was down to “more competition” in options open to students after GCSEs including more apprenticeships.

Mr Barclay said: “My concern remains that some students may miss out on the university place or career opportunities offered by taking A levels, particularly if the cost of travel to Chatteris or additional time involved deters students from a sixth form place.”

Ms Holzer admitted there was no new plan to boost student interest in the sixth form amongst the current Year 9 and 10 students.

Mr Barclay said: “This is because the Trust believes that ‘student choice to go elsewhere should be celebrated’, and ‘provision is available within their Trust at the Cromwell Community College’.

“I believe the school should set out a workable plan to boost interest in a Neale-Wade sixth form particularly amongst Years 9 and 10. Just a few years ago there was sufficient demand, and March continues to grow as a town.”

The MP compared demand at the Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech, which had managed to retain demand at a similar level over the last five years.

He said: “The 50 students projected for next year is therefore well below other Fenland schools, including the most directly comparable local secondary school.”

Mr Barclay added: “The absence of a clear plan to restore the sixth form suggests the Trust intends the closure to be permanent after current Year 12 students finish next year.”

However, he said if that were to happen the Trust would need approval from the Regional School Director.

Ms Holzer told Mr Barclay the Trust was not closing the sixth form, but were instead “simply not offering any courses this year”.

Something the Trust argues it is entitled to do – if numbers were rise to the required minimum level next year then viable courses would be offered.

Mr Barclay said: “In practice if courses are not offered, and if the Trust say they don’t expect any return to the 130 student level which they say is needed, it is difficult to see how this is anything other than a closure. If the decision was temporary, there would be a clear recovery plan to boost numbers back to 2022/3 levels which is currently missing.”

Mr Barclay said he had also raised the question of cost and time involved in students travelling from March to the Cromwell in Chatteris and the disruption this will cause.

In an update following the meeting the Neale-Wade announced it was confident the courses offered in Chatteris meet student preferences.

Adding: “The courses available nearby at Cromwell Community College in Chatteris provide the same range of courses to meet student preferences and the two schools work closely together as both are part of the Active Learning Trust. Cromwell Community College’s sixth form is among the highest performing for progress and attainment in Cambridgeshire.

“Recognising there is some disruption as part of this change, The Active Learning Trust will also be funding daily transport to Cromwell Community College via the Ely Zipper bus route for incoming Year 12 students.

“We are constantly reviewing the situation and our decisions will always be driven by student preference where we can ensure equitable, high-quality provision. We will continue to keep you updated.

“Any students, parents or carers who have any concerns about this, please do not hesitate to contact us.”