Representatives at North Norfolk District Council have called for action after it was announced Sheringham Sixth Form would not be running any Year 12 A-level courses from September.

Synergy Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), which runs the school, announced the shock news last month, which sparked outrage among parents and fear for the affected pupils.

Now Liz Withington, councillor for Sheringham, has put forward a motion for the council to debate in a meeting next week calling on the regional director for the Department for Education (DfE) to intervene.

Liz Withington (Image: Supplied)

She said: "Closing Sheringham Sixth Form would be a profound loss for our town and for the wider coastal community.

"This is not simply an internal academy decision — it has long-term implications for inequality, workforce sustainability and the economic future of Sheringham.

"We are asking the regional director to intervene because our young people deserve opportunity close to home.”

Ms Withington described the decision as "putting up huge barriers for kids" and said it risks widening the gap between rural coastal towns and more connected urban areas.

It was announced that Sheringham Sixth Form will be scrapping its A-levels from September. (Image: Google Maps)

Councillor Callum Ringer has seconded the motion to be brought to debate.

He said: “Our community already faces the challenges of rural transport, seasonal employment and limited local progression routes.

"Removing sixth form provision will increase travel time and costs for families and risks pushing more young people away from education altogether.

"Services in rural towns are vital — and when they are lost, the impact is felt by the whole community, not just one year group.”

Callum Ringer, councillor at North Norfolk District Council (Image: Karen Bethell)

Colin Heinink and Phillip Bailey, who are also councillors for Sheringham, have stood with Ms Withington in urging the DfE to become involved.

"Sheringham’s young people should not be disadvantaged simply because of where they live," Mr Bailey said.

The trust had said the students will be able to transfer their application to Reepham College, where transport will be provided following a route with stops at Cromer, Sheringham and Holt.

It suggests three actions, with the first writing to the DfE to request the "intervention and review of the decision to cease A-Level provision in Sheringham" alongside a pause until a number of assessments have been completed.

The second includes writing to Norfolk County Council for assurance that a coherent 16+ sufficiency plan remains in place for the town and surrounding communities, and details of alternative delivery models explored.

And the third includes writing to Synergy MAT for an explanation of the financial rationale for the closure with comparative data from other rural Norfolk sixth forms and strategies undertaken to increase recruitment.

The full council meeting will be held on February 18 at 6pm.

© Eastern Daily Press