Pupils attend first day to find subjects axed

Pupils arriving at sixth form for their first day were unexpectedly told that A-level courses had been cancelled.

Multiple sources told the BBC that only 17 students - far fewer than anticipated - turned up to their induction day at Mossbourne Fobbing Academy in Corringham on 4 September.

In a letter sent out to families later that day, seen by the BBC, the vice-principal at the Essex school said further maths, geography and dance courses would not be running.

A spokesperson for the trust, Mossbourne Federation, said student numbers were "significantly lower than hoped" and that the "funding environment" was "exceptionally challenging".

In the letter, vice-principal Jack Kliber said "it may be necessary to review additional subjects as well" - as first reported by Thurrock Nub News.

Pupil Luke said he felt "really angry", with musical theatre the only one of his chosen courses still running. He was told to pick up more traditional subjects to replace them, he explained.

"[It] almost feels like leading us on and then completely leaving you. [It's like I'm] just drowning, basically, not able to do anything, you've just like, got no lifeboat - you're stuck."

He said he sympathised with the "great" teachers who had "put everything" into their passion.

Samantha said her son rang her from school to tell her that two of his chosen courses - geography and further maths - would no longer be taught.

Her son achieved high marks in his GCSEs and was looking into a career in finance.

"I feel let down for him, I feel let down for all of the kids. It's just all up in the air," she said.

"[Fobbing] should have known their numbers well in advance."

Mossbourne Federation, which is based in Hackney, has faced criticism in recent years for imposing strict rules for pupils.

However, in July, Ofsted praised the improvements made in Fobbing.

"I'm not against them as a trust. I actually think my son's done well [and] other children have done well there," she said.

Grainne Hallahan, who was a teacher in Brentwood and is an education researcher, said the lack of government funding to support the salary increases being given to teachers was having an effect.

"Schools have had to reduce their academic offer, and that means not being able to offer A-levels in all of the subjects students will want to study."

A spokesperson at Mossbourne Federation said: "Like many schools and trusts, we are operating in an exceptionally challenging funding environment.

"Following enrolment, student numbers were significantly lower than hoped.

"This means it is not educationally, or financially, responsible to offer a full suite of subject choices.

They said decisions were made with "students' best interests at heart".

The Department for Education was contacted for comment.

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