§ 74. Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria he adopts in deciding to approve the setting up of sixth form colleges; and, in the light of experience, whether he is satisfied that such changes have maintained academic standards in those grammar schools whose sixth forms have been abolished.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI need to be satisfied that a college would be an educationally viable unit, large enough to support sufficient staff for a full range of courses, and satisfactorily accommodated and equipped to sustain these courses, and that it would not duplicate facilities provided by neighbouring establishments of further education to an unacceptable degree. There has not yet been sufficient experience to judge what effect this form of organistion will have upon schools in the area which no longer have a sixth form.