A SCHOOL has been forced to close its sixth form, because of funding cuts.

Eastwood School, in Eastwood, will not accept new admissions for students studying for their A levels from September.

There are at least 50 pupils who had been offered conditional places to study at the school in September who now face the uncertainty of trying to find alternative places.

Those currently in the lower sixth will be able to finish their two-year courses as the school has enough money from the Learning and Skills Council for them to continue.

Students were told at a meeting yesterday and a letter was sent to parents.

Parents have reacted furiously to the news.

Tracy King’s son Jake, 16, is in the middle of his A levels, and will be lucky enough to continue, but she worries about what will happen to the younger pupils, including her nephew in Year 9.

Mrs King, who lives in Cheddar Avenue, Westcliff, said: “I just can’t believe the Government is taking money away from the school. It’s marvellous and the teachers are fantastic. They’re putting money into schools not doing so well, but how ridiculous is that? Eastwood will lose good teachers and not get them back. It’s disgusting.

“You read about the MPs taking money for expenses, some of that could have gone to education and keeping this sixth form open.”

Another woman, who did not want to be named, was upset that it was announced so late.

Her grandson is doing his GCSEs at Eastwood and has a place at the school to do his A levels. She said: “I think it’s disgusting to do it this late. You like them to stay on at the same school with their friends, but now we need to find him somewhere else. Why just pick on Eastwood? Why not cut places at other schools?”

David Wilson, acting head at Eastwood, said he hoped the sixth form would reopen in 2012.

He refused to speak to the Echo, despite repeated calls. In a letter to parents he wrote: “An analysis of the school’s budget has revealed a marked reduction in post-16 funding which has meant that existing provision is financially unfeasible and unsustainable.

“The council’s response was that funding had been allocated to other non-selective schools. It would appear that our success has placed us at a financial disadvantage. The school has repeatedly requested financial parity and equitability in terms of funding, but unfortunately this has not yet come to fruition.”

Southend Council's head of schools services, Jane Theadom, said the decision to pull funding was made by the Learning and Skills Council, not at local level.

“The school is being funded for 33 sixth form places for 2010/2011 consistent with the criteria applied equitably to all schools, selective and non-selective.”

She added the Connexions Service is working to assist and support students affected by the announcement.