Staff and students fight loss of A-levels at London college helping disadvantaged learners

BSix in Hackney gives pupils a second chance academically but new owner wants to focus on vocational courses

Teachers and students are fighting to preserve A-levels at a college that works with disadvantaged young people who have failed their GCSEs, some of whom have gone on to complete Oxbridge degrees.

The sixth form college in Hackney, known as BSix, has offered one of the lowest entry requirements in the UK for pupils who want to pursue A-level courses. The entry requirement is just one GCSE pass grade. Help and support is given for exam retakes, allowing those who pass to take A-levels.