STUDENTS at a Dales school are to be given the option of studying across two campuses for their A Levels.

Wensleydale School and Sixth Form College in Leyburn, is working on plans to allow students currently in Year 11 to study at both the Leyburn school and at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington.

It is hoped the scheme will be launched this year for students starting their A-levels in September, who would be able to study a combination of A-levels across the two sites, for example two at Wensleydale and one at QE or vice versa.

Pupils would still have the option to study all three A-levels at Wensleydale or attend another school or college altogether.

Wensleydale would concentrate on seven core subjects – biology, chemistry, physics, English, maths, history and geography.

Wensleydale School headteacher Julia Polley said the advantage of working with QE was that students could have the opportunity to study different subjects and experience the social side of attending a specialist sixth form college, but remain Wensleydale School pupils.

It is envisaged that extra transport would be provided between the two sites at lunchtime, with the hope that assistance could be provided with the cost to pupils of travel between the two schools.

There are currently 17 pupils in Year 12 at Wensleydale, however it is hoped these arrangements will encourage more to stay and make the school’s sixth form more viable long-term.

Mrs Polley said: “We’re trying to take advantage of the opportunities available by forming a partnership with QE which could broaden possible opportunities for our students.”