GCSE student in limbo after college scraps maths and photography courses 'half-way through'

A GCSE student has been left in limbo after a college scrapped her subjects and photography course halfway through her studies.

Claire Stephenson had always planned for her daughter Eveline to go to Myerscough College having been home-schooled since the age of five. Eveline's courses have allowed her to study for her Maths and English GCSEs as well as complete a photography qualification to help her to achieve her ambition of becoming a photographer.

However, after Eveline broke up this year for the summer holidays, her mum received correspondence from the college informing her that they were cancelling the 14-16 provision. Although the courses were offered on a "one-year basis" Eveline had been planning on returning in September to complete her studies.

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Mum Claire, who lives in Wesham, said Myerscough had sent her details of other providers who offered similar courses. She said: "I've already spoken to the only one close enough - Preston College - and they have a two-year waiting list.

"Eveline has been home educated from the start. She's thrived. She's done really well, but Myerscough was always the plan."

Many of Myerscough's courses are aimed at youngsters who are either Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) or ‘At Risk’ of becoming Not in Education Employment or Training. Pupils often have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.

Claire added: "These are young kids who are often home educated, perhaps for mental health issues or because they are gong down the neuro diversity route. They haven't been able to say goodbye to their friends and she doesn't know if they will get coursework back.

"She has made such progress and we assumed they would allow kids who are halfway through it to complete the two years but now she's been left in limbo and it looks like we'll have to go down the road of private tutoring."

In an email seen by LancsLive, Myerscough's director of curriculum Mark Moren said to Claire: "I have received an e-mail you have sent the college regarding the update to the 14-16 provision here at Myerscough College. Firstly, I would like to apologise, because although I cannot change the situation, I do understand this is not pleasant for yourself or your daughter.

"These programmes were offered on a one-year basis and the college has not taken this decision lightly with regard to the removal of the photography provision and the learners who have just finished programmes. We are able to offer guidance in how to help source alternative provision if you would like."

A spokesperson for Myerscough told LancsLive: "Our 14-16 vocational programme has run successfully for many years, providing an opportunity for pupils in Years 10 and 11, and some home educated learners, to attend college and gain a Level 1 or 2 qualification in a land-based subject as an alternative to a GCSE option. Many then progress to one of our post-16 study programmes.

"When the government required colleges to provide maths and English tuition to those post-16 learners that hadn’t achieved a Grade 4 at school, our 14-16 team introduced a small maths and English GCSE programme, alongside the vocational route.

"All such programmes are offered as one year long programme with the option of a top up if viable.

"The demand for these has grown tremendously over the past 18 months and has outstripped the resources available. Myerscough College is dedicated to its core purpose of being a specialist land-based and sports College, providing technical education.

"As part of our recent Strategic Review and, after discussions with the local education authority here in Lancashire, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw the dedicated 14-16 maths, English and science GCSE programme from this coming September.

"As part of the same Strategic Review, photography has also been withdrawn from the end of the current academic year.

"We appreciate this will cause distress and frustration and we apologise for this. We are now developing exciting new technical education opportunities, and this includes an exciting new partnership with Fylde Coast Academy Trust.

"We are assisting affected pupils by giving them information about the numerous alternative providers locally, and in addition students can book in for a session with our careers team, who can further assist with options and help with how to submit applications to other providers."