Solihull Council has now agreed a timetable which would see the set-up shut down after the current Year 12 pupils finish their exams in summer 2018.
A report prepared for councillors said that given the current roll-call, the current situation was unsustainable.
A consultation exercise has now been officially launched, ahead of the school becoming an academy on April 1.
On Other Side of Solihull’s Facebook page, a number of residents said they weren’t surprised by the news that the post 16 service was to come to an end.
Annette Short said: “My daughter had to go to CTC to continue doing the level 3 course she wanted to do, due to not passing her Maths and English. Smith’s Wood said she wasn’t allowed to do it there.”
While Rachel Stewart added: “Maybe if they actually offered the courses the students want and need they would have stayed rather than go elsewhere.”
Ann Pearson, Solihull Council’s director of children’s services and skills, said the sixth form had opened eight years ago and it was envisioned that it would cater for around 200 16 to 18-year-olds. Numbers peaked in 2012, when there were 160 students.
“[There has] been a steady decline ever since,” said Ms Pearson. “In September 2017 there were 67 on roll, of which only 37 are Year 12.
“Such small number teaching groups in the sixth form are not viable. In order to overcome some of the potential barriers, the school have timetabled some sixth form pupils to be taught in mixed year groups, although this is not ideal.”
Work is expected to start shortly on helping Year 11 pupils plan their future.
It’s thought the majority of students who want to continue their studies will go to other local sixth forms, Solihull College or the newly-opened WMG Academy, in Chelmsley Wood.
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