Sixth-form changes

Changes that would end the presumption that almost any school applying for a sixth form should get one regardless of local FE provision are likely by February. Responding to a parliamentary question by Kelvin Hopkins, a Labour MP and co-chair of the all-party FE group, Jim Knight, the schools minister, said a six-week consultation on the changes set out in the Raising Expectations white paper had begun on December 11 and - subject to comments received - he would expect to be able to make the changes in February 2009.

www.dcsf.gov.ukschoolorgnews.cfm

Correction

In a brief news item, “Money matters” (FE Focus, December 12), we said a paper by Geoff Stanton argues that sixth-form colleges are less inclusive than universities. He in fact argues that school sixth forms are less inclusive. We apologise for the mistake.

“Unfinished business in widening Participation: The End of the Beginning” is available at: www.lsneducation.org.uk.