The Conservative leaders of South Gloucestershire Council have thrown their support behind a new sixth form for Bradley Stoke, according to the Evening Post.

They are now calling for the town’s community school, the only in the authority to not have a sixth form, to have a facility in place for 2010.

Councillor Sheila Cook, the council’s cabinet member for children, has now authorised a study into plans for the centre which was backed by a 1,000-signiture petition recently.

Headteacher Dave Baker told the Evening Post: “We are delighted that it is being given consideration and obviously we will follow the appropriate procedures, talking to the Learning and Skills Council and South Gloucestershire Council in making the sixth form a reality.”

Cllr Cook told the Post: “It is clear there is tremendous local support for a sixth form among parents and students in Bradley Stoke.

“I also know that the school itself is strongly supportive of achieving a sixth form and I am keen to do all I can to help them achieve this goal.”

Earlier this year, Mr Baker said calls from the Lib Dems to expand the school’s 11-16 intake could harm plans for the post-16 centre.

“We would like to distance ourselves from suggestions that the school should increase its capacity for 11 to 16-year-olds, which would undermine the infrastructure within the school to provide a coherent experience for our students.

“It would hamper the possible provision of a post-16 centre and would be to the detriment of local secondary schools.”

Full article: Evening Post