City sixth forms are joining together in a new initiative that will see “rival” pupils sharing courses.

As of next year students in Brighton and Hove will be able to pick A-level subjects from sixth forms across the city, rather than just the ones offered by their own school.

The initiative between Blatchington Mill School, Hove Park, Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) and Brighton Aldridge Community Academy has been hailed as a “step forward” for the city.

It means that students can take traditional subjects like history, biology or physics as well as construction at City College Brighton and Hove or countryside and environment at Plumpton College.

Plumpton also offers courses in horse care, horticulture and vehicle technology.

BHASVIC and Varndean College are not part of the new scheme that only involves sixth forms attached to schools.

Mark Deacon, PACA assistant principal, said: “Four schools with sixth forms have decided to start working together rather than competing.

“We are able to offer students more choice.

“Every school has got a limit to the courses it can offer. But if we put everyone together there is more choice.

“It is a step forward for Brighton schools and is in a sense bringing back collaboration that has not existed since before the 1980s.

“It does mean that a Portslade student can stay at their school but take advantage of other courses.”

For the full story see today's Argus.