Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, gave his backing to the bid to create a sixth form during a visit to Castledon School in Wickford this morning.
Castledon School caters for children with additional needs from school years 1 to 11 inclusive but the school now wants to create a sixth form for children in school years 12 and 13 as well. Mark was briefed on the idea by Castledon’s Headteacher Mrs Philippa Holliday who explained that such a sixth form would help provide an opportunity for further education for children with additional needs from across much of South Essex.
Following the discussion Mark gave his backing to the school’s concept and said that he would support their plans - just as he has supported the new sixth form at Sweyne Park School in Rayleigh and is also supporting sixth form ambitions at FitzWimarc in Rayleigh as well.
As part of his visit, Mark was also taken on a tour of Castledon School by Mrs Holliday where he was shown the life skills centre (which he had opened several years ago) and also a striking mural in the school’s main hall - a copy of which is now in the Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock.
Commenting on his visit Mark Francois said:
"Castledon is already a very good school, which recently successfully converted to become an Academy and, as the next stage in the school’s development, they now want to establish a sixth form, to help cater for additional needs pupils across much of South Essex. This is a worthwhile aim and I am very happy to support it."