Politicians are leading the fight to save a sixth form.

Last month, pupils studying GCSEs at Seaford Head Community College in Seaford, were told they could not return for A-levels next year after the decision was taken to scrap the sixth form.

Liberal Democrat Norman Baker, the area's MP, and Seaford Town Council leader Jon Freeman want the plans to be halted for at least a year to find a way for it to be saved.

Mr Baker is set to meet the school's principal Lynton Golds and the chair of governors this week to discuss the situation and has already met the head of children's services at East Sussex County Council.

He said: "The town wants its sixth form to be retained and it is difficult to understand how a town the size of Seaford, with 25,000 people, cannot support a sixth form when smaller communities, such as Ringmer, appear to be able to do so.

"I am also concerned that the decision to suspend the sixth form has not been subject to any sort of proper discussion with parents, students or locally elected representatives.

This suggests that the way forward is for the plans to suspend the sixth form to be shelved for a year."

Mr Freeman has already spoken to the school and agreed with Mr Baker.

He said: "The school is concerned there are not enough students enrolled for the sixth form even though numbers are up on last year.

"Yet Government planning will require all students to stay in education until 18, so numbers in future years are likely to rise further.

"The matter needs to be further considered before drastic action is taken."

Mrs Golds told The Argus last month the closure of the sixth form was a "suspension"

and as such parents did not need to be consulted over the changes.

She also said the school could bring it back but did not give any possible dates.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex County council said: "Students will have a more extensive range of courses through attending one of the further education or sixth form colleges in the area."

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