Dismay at decision to axe GCSE subjects at Walsall school

Grace Academy in Darlaston has dropped several courses, with bosses insisting the moves would give pupils a better chance at gaining qualifications.

But some disappointed pupils have hit out at the move saying it could affect their chances at getting into college and further education. Independent Councillor Paul Bott, of Darlaston South ward, where the recently rebuilt senior school is based, said the academy trust should be providing more courses, not less.

"As councillors we promoted the new £26 million building it was to give the pupils more opportunities to study. We have fully supported the young people in their hopes and dreams for the future. And if they have spent a year doing a course then they should be able to complete it. We think it is unfair."

The subjects which have been dropped are believed to include resistant materials, computing, engineering and a business qualification.

While Labour's Darlaston South representative Councillor Doug James said: "The recent changes in Darlaston Grace Academy's curriculum and GCSE courses come after a lot of worrying trends in its performance, leading to a clear warning from the Department of Education that levels of attainment are not acceptable"It's not good enough for Walsall Council to try and wash its hands of the affair by saying it has no control. After all it was the council's decision to hand over the running of the school to the Grace Academy Trust in 2009, despite the opposition of parents, governors and teachers at the time."

But the council's Tory deputy leader and former Grace Academy governor Adrian Andrew said in response: "It was the Labour government that started the academy process all those years ago. It now has a fantastic new building with great facilities. It is time for the community to unite to support the young people who are trying to get a good education there.

"Too many generations from that community have been let down by political interference."

Parents with children at the academy took to social network site Facebook to give their reaction. Kerry-Joan Wilkinson said: "My son wasted a whole year on a subject that's been dropped. It's ridiculous."

Sam Parton said: "My daughter was affected by this. She did a year of studying for nothing basically as they scrapped the GCSE halfway through."

While Rachel Savory said: "I feel sorry for the kids, all that time and work wasted. If the school wants to drop certain subjects from its curriculum fine but drop them for students choosing options. The kids already studying should be allowed to complete the courses they have started."

Recent league table results showed 35 per cent of students at the academy achieved five GCSEs including English and maths at A*-C last year.

The Grace Academy runs three sites in the West Midlands with the others in Solihull and Coventry.