Year 11 students at a Wiltshire school are facing uncertainty after its sixth form provision was scrapped.

Lavington School, in Market Lavington, has offered post 16 classes for the last three years in partnership with Devizes School, a White Horse Federation academy.

This saw both schools offer shared sixth form classes, which were split across the two sites.

But a decision by Devizes School to move all but three of the subjects taught back to their site, at The Green in Devizes, has seen Lavington School withdraw from the partnership.

This means that Lavington will no longer provide a year 12 service, although those currently in year 12 will not be affected with their courses being taught to completion.

In a letter to parents, Lavington Head of school Ralph Plummer claimed the new arrangement would have been financially “unviable” and could cost the school between £100,000 and £150,000.

A spokesperson for Equa Multi Academy Trust, of which Lavington School is a member, said: “Recently, Devizes School shared their new model of delivery which would mean virtually all teaching would take place on their school site. This rendered the partnership financially unviable for Lavington School.

“The day after the new arrangement was confirmed by the White Horse Trust the news was shared with staff, parents and students.

“Lavington School are working closely with year 11 students to ensure they are all fully supported in the next stage of their educational journey and remain fully committed to ensuring excellent outcomes for existing year 12 students”. 

Mr Plummer told parents he was “saddened” that Devizes School informed him of their decision to transfer classes to their own site without prior consultation.

But Devizes School principle, Rachel Harper, insisted that the ending of their partnership was a mutual agreement.

She said: “Following consultation with Lavington School, we have taken the joint decision that, from September, all year 12 courses will be delivered exclusively from the Devizes School site.

“This will ensure that we continue to provide the highest quality of education, pastoral care and personal development to our students.

“We value the partnership that we have shared with Lavington School over several years and we remain committed to offering a broad curriculum to local families. 

“We look forward to welcoming students from Lavington School, Devizes and its surrounding areas into the Devizes School Sixth Form.”

Year 11 students, who had planned to enter the sixth form at Lavington, are now being given the opportunity to meet with a range of local schools and colleges.