A DISGRUNTLED parent has started a petition to reverse Winsford Academy’s decision to axe its sixth form.

Earlier this month the school’s Principal, Andrew Taylor-Edwards, announced he had made the ‘difficult’ decision to suspend sixth form provision at the Academy from September 2016.

The decision was met with outrage from parents, who took to social media to vent their frustrations at the decision, but one woman has gone a step further and started an e-petition.

Janet Smith, 50, from Winsford said: “I just think taking away the sixth form away from people who are aspirational is wrong.

“My son goes there and he has really engaged with it, the standard of teaching is excellent.

“They have enabled him to make the transition to an adolescent young man. He’s gone from someone who has fairly black and white opinions to someone who can see the other side.

“It would be a shame if others like him were forced to go elsewhere.”

So far the petition has picked up nearly 100 signatures in just a few short days, but Janet is hoping more people back the campaign to force Winsford Academy perform a U-turn.

Janet said: “Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time. Things don’t happen overnight.

“I'm sure it wasn’t a decision Mr Taylor-Edwards has taken lightly, but it’s about time we stand up for the children and their future. They need something to encourage people to stay in education.

“People just feel it is a good idea and it isn’t something we should just let go. It shouldn’t be closed just through a lack of money. That cannot be the sole reason.”

Janet’s son, Alistair, 16, started sixth form at Winsford Academy last September, and said the standard of teaching has been ‘excellent’.

He said: “I believe the teaching is very good. They enjoy teaching us, and that’s what teaching is all about.”

While Alistair will be able to finish his studies at the Academy, the younger students will have to look elsewhere.

Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College in Northwich is the most likely destination for those wanting to study A-levels, or they can opt to go to Mid-Cheshire College’s Winsford campus, to study vocational courses.

“It’s a bad decision that is not just bad for the sixth form, but is bad for the town,” Alistair said.

“There will be parents who might not have the money to take their children to John Dean’s every day.

“I feel like it is forcing them to go to Mid Cheshire college to study BTEC qualifications.”

Jenny Maskell, 28, from Winsford, has launched a social media campaign to help drum up support for the petition.

Jenny, a former Verdin High student, said: “Looking to the future, there is going to be more housing in the town and therefore more families.

“Not only that it shuts the door on young people who may not be able to travel outside of the town to further their education.

“People who may have caring responsibilities, an evening job within the town, or may have mobility problems might find that without a sixth form within Winsford, their choices once they have finished secondary school are limited.”

As it stands, current year 12 students will still be able to complete their second year of sixth form study from September 2015.

However, current Year 11 students will not have the option of staying on at the school.

Jenny said: “I went to Winsford sixth form and two of my siblings have also attended. It provides a great atmosphere and the teaching is also brilliant.

“The new Academy has great facilities and I don't think the Sixth Form is being given the chance to develop alongside the Academy.”

To sign the petition, click here.