LAST week’s article in the Hereford Times, ‘Principal fears future cuts’, highlighted the difficulties sixth form colleges face in the light of funding cuts which have averaged more than 20% over the last three years.

The post-16 element of the education budget has not been protected, unlike that for schools. Many colleges have been forced to cut subjects and withdraw extra-curricular activities.

At Hereford Sixth Form College owing to the collective efforts of all staff and governors we have been able to avoid this and we are determined to continue to offer an outstanding education and experience to our students as evidenced by our excellent exam results and high reputation.

Ironically, however, at a time when some sixth form colleges are threatened with closure the government continues to allow ‘Free Schools’ or new sixth forms to be established.

This has resulted in the creation of financially unviable and poor quality provision at huge expense to the taxpayer and a reduction in the funds available for existing schools and colleges.

The millions spent on the establishment of the Robert Owen Academy in Hereford, recently graded inadequate by Ofsted, is one example of this.

The government has recently announced area-based reviews of post-16 education but has deliberately excluded school sixth forms from scrutiny of their efficiency and effectiveness.

Once again, as in the case of sixth form colleges paying VAT while schools are exempt, the sector is being unfairly treated.

The huge majority of the county’s sixth formers attend Hereford Sixth Form College and it is they, ultimately, who deserve a fair deal.

JONATHAN GODFREY Principal, Hereford Sixth Form College