A NORTH-EAST college which has been confirmed as the most improved state secondary school in England has launched a new sixth form.

The announcement by Dyke House Sports and Technology College, in Hartlepool, followed a remarkable turnaround in the school’s academic performance in the last year.

Two summers ago 37 per cent of pupils passed five A*-C GCSEs, including maths and English. Last summer the percentage of students achieving five ‘good’ passes including maths and English more than doubled to 75 per cent - making Dyke House the most improved state secondary school in England in terms of GCSE results.

Now, in what the school says is in response to demand from students, parents and carers, Dyke House Sports & Technology College will be launching a new sixth form in September.

Dyke House, which became a Northern Education Trust-sponsored academy in April 2013, will offer a different, more independent approach, according to the head of sixth form, Martin Dorset-Purkis. The proposed sixth form will operate in the existing building with modifications to create a hub and specialist teaching spaces.

Students and parents met at the school last week to hear about the courses on offer in the new sixth form. 

The range of subjects will include psychology, sociology, business studies, economics and law as well as further maths and specialist science courses.

Additionally, Dyke House will provide internships and training to prepare students for university and other post-18 options.

Andrew Jordon, headteacher of Dyke House, said: “It is really good news for our students.

"Not only will they be able to benefit from consistently high standards of teaching, learning and support right through until the age of 18, it will also increase choice and allow more students to gain entry to the most competitive university courses.”