THE new sixth form at Carterton Community College could double the number of courses it offers next year in a bid to attract more students.

The secondary school began taking on post-16 learners in September for the first time in its 40-year history after getting the go-ahead for the move from Oxfordshire County Council.

It currently has 41 students enrolled on courses including A-Levels in English, maths, geography and history, and BTEC qualifcations in art and design, media and PE.

Deputy headteacher Iain Bilton said the change had already proved a success but he wanted the college to offer up to 15 courses next year, including physics, chemistry, biology and psychology.

He expects to have up to 70 sixth-formers on the roll next year and said: “It has gone remarkably well and we’re trying to rapidly develop the sixth form.

“I’m extremely pleased at the way the kids have integrated. We’re learning as we go along but straight away it has lifted our Year 11 students.

“Most of them want to come here now and for the school and area it’s fantastic, because many of them had to travel to Witney or elsewhere post-16.”

The college, which appointed Rob Dorey as head of sixth-form, has also formed a partnership with Conference South football team Hayes & Yeading United, under which teachers visit the club each month to lead courses for young footballers.

It also has plans to form another partnership with Air Tanker, the consortium which provides the Voyager refuelling and transport planes, based at RAF Brize Norton, to offer a BTEC in engineering.

A sixth-form open evening will be held at the college, in Upavon Way, on Thursday, January 15. To reserve a place, call the college office on 01993 841611.