Students’ outcry at performing arts department closure plans
be able to study performing arts subjects, including drama, dance and music.
It comes as Chichester College Group (CCG) chief executive Andrew Greens said the group – ‘like all further education institutions’ – ‘continues to be impacted by severe underfunding by the government’.
Helena Thomas, principal of Worthing College and Northbrook College, said: “First and foremost,I’dliketoapologisefor any concern this has caused. It is never an easy decision to change our curriculum, but we have to look at how we can deliver courses that are sustainable and give students the best opportunities and experience that we can.
“Unfortunately, student numbers for the department are generally low at Worthing College. However, by consolidating our performing arts provision with Northbrook College – just three miles away and with very good public transport links – we believe we will be able to provide a better student experience by offering a fantastic, well-rounded holistic education that will help young people achieve their career aspirations.” Sussex World has received multiplelettersandemailsfrom concerned students, past and present. A petition against the plans has already been signed by more than 1,800 people.
The campaign was launched by a group of alumni and current students, who are ‘banding together to fight against’ the plans. They said they plan to ‘carry on doing as much as we can’togetthedecisionreversed.
One message read: “It is devastating that this decision has been made. It is becoming more and more inaccessible nationwide to pursue performing arts, with less and less opportunities in place for people to follow their passion.”
Another read: "This decision will force many students in the local area to have to go against their natural creative instincts due to the limited options for performing arts education in the area and, possibly, abandon their potential."
A student who takes the creative and performance arts course, said: “I believe that this decision is wrong. It was made without consulting parents, students or future students that were looking to enroll on the course for September. As of next year the courses will not be accepting any new applicants and only remaining so the current year 12s and year 13s can finish their qualification.
"The college are unaware of how much the course means to not only the students who currently take it, not only the teachers who are so passionate about the department and their students but also how much the department and courses have helped people grow and change into the people who they want to be.”