Why is this being proposed? 
For several years, the school has subsidised the Sixth Form in the hope that, as St. Michael’s became increasingly popular in Years 7–11, Sixth Form numbers would also rise to a sustainable level. Unfortunately, this has not been the case, and the financial subsidy required to maintain the provision has now reached a level that is unsustainable.  

What does this mean for students? 

• No new students will be admitted into Year 12 from September 2026. 

• Students currently enrolled in the Sixth Form will not be affected by this proposal and will continue to receive the same high standards of teaching, care, and support until they complete their studies.  

• For students in Years 7–11, there are a wide range of high-quality post-16 options available locally. Each year, students are given the opportunity to meet and hear from local sixth form colleges and training providers, and this will continue to ensure all students are fully informed of their options.  

How can you have your say? 
We are committed to listening to the views of all stakeholders before any final decision is made. The formal consultation period is now open and will close on Monday 2nd February 2026 at 12pm.  

• Please share your feedback by completing the online form at Consultation Feedback Form or by writing to us at the school address: 

St Michael’s Church of England Academy 

St Michael’s Road 

Crosby 

Liverpool 

L23 7UL 

What happens next? 
After the consultation closes, all feedback will be carefully reviewed and a summary report will be published on our website. The Trust Board will then make a final decision, and all stakeholders will be informed of the outcome. 

Need more information or support? 
If you have any questions or require support, please contact Jan Loughlin (Headteacher’s PA) LoughlinJ@stmichaels.allsaintsmat.org. We are here to help and welcome your queries. We value your views and look forward to hearing from you. 

St. Michael’s Church of England Academy Sixth Form Consultation FAQs 

What impact will this have on students currently enrolled in the Sixth Form?  

The closure will have no impact on the students currently enrolled in the Sixth Form. The school will continue to deliver high quality education for our existing Sixth Form students. 

If this proposal goes ahead, does it mean that the Sixth Form will close to current Y11 pupils and all subsequent year groups? 

Yes  

How can current students find out about alternative sixth form options? 

The school will continue to invite colleges/sixth forms from across Sefton and the surrounding areas into the Academy to ensure pupils are fully informed about potential options. The school has always provided unbiased and objective information about all Post 16 pathways. Our careers programme for our Y11 pupils is supplemented by independent advice and guidance provided by.... 

Could the closure of the Sixth Form be detrimental to the quality of education provided by the school? 

No, we do not believe this to be the case. Whilst it has been a privilege to teach across three key stages, concentrating solely on Years 7 to 11 will enable us to sharpen our focus on those crucial years. Resources that are currently being used to subsidise the Sixth Form will be reinvested into Years 7 to 11, including additional curriculum opportunities, targeted support and access to a wider enrichment programme. By refining our provision, we believe that students will not only continue to thrive but will also benefit from an enhanced offer at Key Stage 3 and Four.  

What steps will the Academy take to mitigate the financial impact of this proposal, if it goes ahead? 

Staffing and curriculum decisions are always reviewed on an annual basis to ensure the Academy can manage the budget effectively.  

Will there be any job losses/redundancies because of this proposed closure? 

Staffing and curriculum decisions are made on an annual basis to ensure the school can manage the budget effectively and this includes the staffing of the school. If the Sixth Form closes, we will look to protect staff from redundancy, but ultimately, we will need to ensure we are not overstaffed.  

Who should I contact with any queries regarding the consultation if I cannot find an answer in the FAQs section or want to record my views? 

Please share your feedback by completing the online form at Consultation Feedback Form or by writing to us at the school address by Monday 2nd February 2026 at 12pm.   

What happens after the consultation period closes?  

Following the consultation, a report summarising the details of the responses from the consultation will be produced for the Trust Board, who will then review feedback and make their decision. The consultation and the subsequent decision will then be published on the academy website and circulated appropriately.  

Who makes the final decision about this proposal? 

The Trustees of the Trust will make the decision to either close or retain the Sixth Form. If a decision is taken to proceed with the closure, a business case will be submitted to the Department for Education for their approval. 

When will the outcome be announced? 

The consultation period will run from Tuesday 16th December 2025 to Monday 2nd February 2026 at 12pm. Trustees will then meet to review the consultation feedback and to make their decision. We expect the outcome to be available by the end of March at the latest.