Downend School to leave the Kingswood Partnership

Downend School is pulling out of the Kingswood Partnership, the national education flagship for 14- to 19-year-olds.

The partnership currently offers more than 120 courses in its specialist secondary schools – Downend specialises in technology, The Grange at Warmley in sport, Hanham High in the performing arts , Mangotsfield in engineering and science, and the Sir Bernard Lovell School in languages).

City of Bristol College, based at the Soundwell centre, is also part of the Kingswood Partnership.

Downend School will leave the Partnership from September but students currently in Year 12 and Year 13 will not be affected by the change.

In a letter to parents, head William Roberts said that all Year 12 courses would be taught at Downend.

"By teaching Year 12 courses at Downend, we will be able to provide a tailored offer of courses that will meet the needs of our students," he said.

I have asked the Partnership to comment on the impact of Downend pulling out but have yet to receive a reply.