FURTHER education in Yate and Chipping Sodbury is set to undergo a radical shake-up after two schools pulled out of a sixth form programme.

Brimsham Green and Chipping Sodbury schools have severed ties with King Edmund Community School - ending the 'Link' scheme which saw students take lessons at all three sites.

The move comes ahead of King Edmunds reopening with academy status with The Ridings High School in Winterbourne, in September.

Alun Williams, headteacher at Brimsham Green School, told the Gazette: "It was a natural break. King Edmunds is teaming up with The Ridings and has its own positive thing.

"We are teaming up with Chipping Sodbury to make the sixth form something to be proud of. It is a win win situation for everybody."

Chipping Sodbury School headteacher Philip Lidstone said: "This is an exciting new development for our schools.

"The structural changes have given us the opportunity to think carefully about how best to provide education of the highest quality in an environment where there is a great deal of choice and an increasing range of qualifications."

Students at both schools were asked what they thought of the Link set-up and said they wanted to be taught at their own school.

The new partnership will focus on academic subjects at A-level standard and BTEC courses will continue to be offered.

Some vocational courses run from King Edmunds will be dropped at Chipping Sodbury and Brimsham Green sixth forms, including hairdressing and construction, but students will be encouraged to take up the courses at the new Yate International Academy.

King Edmunds headteacher, Roger Gilbert, said he wanted to reassure his students they would not lose out.

He said: "Whilst I am disappointed to see the end of an established sixth form collaboration in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area, I do see this as a huge opportunity in enhancing the quality of post-16 provision for our students through the federated academies programme."

Dr Rob Gibson, chief executive principal of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies, added: "I am confident that this decision will not affect the opportunities for post-16 students at the proposed Yate International Academy or other post-16 students from within the Yate area who wish to apply to the new academy.

"Students attending the Yate International Academy are going to have a great future."

Mayor of Yate Cllr Ian Blair (Lib Dem, North Yate) said: "I don’t think the Link ever worked. I am not worried about it going. It is an opportunity to make improvements."

Cllr Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people on South Gloucestershire Council, said: “South Gloucestershire schools are encouraged to work in partnership to ensure that all our young people aged 14 to 19 have access to the widest possible range of high quality learning opportunities.

"I hope this new sixth form partnership in Yate and Chipping Sodbury will contribute fully to that range of opportunities and ensure that young people in the area achieve their potential."