PARENTS at a school say they are furious after having been told teaching hours for sixth formers are to be cut by about 20 per cent.

The parents of Year 12 pupils at Stokesley School say they have been informed that the number of hours staff will teach each A-Level subject to students will be cut from five hours a week to four hours for each subject.

The changes are due to come into effect from September and parents say they want to know why they weren’t informed earlier of the decision or consulted over the change.

One parent, Kathy Finkel, whose daughter will be embarking on her final year of A-Level studies in September said: “As parents we are particularly disappointed by the lack of transparency; had we been informed of these changes, or the potential of these changes, we could have made alternative arrangements last year.

“Our children are facing their most important school year with a significant cut in taught hours.”

She said at a meeting this week, attended by about 50 to 60 parents, a number of parents expressed anger at the way in which the changes had been handled.

“There was no consultation and no debate; what can we do about it now?" she said.

"I want to know when this decision was made, because if they had told us last year, a lot of our children wouldn’t be at that school now.

“There’s quite a few of us who are very, very concerned about this.”

Mrs Finkel said they have asked headteacher Catherine Brooker if parents could raise the necessary funds to allow the school to continue the existing taught hours.

She said they were told the school would get back to them with a figure, but Mrs Finkel says had they been informed of the decision earlier, they would have had more time for fundraising.

Stokesley School has recently been awarded academy status, which allows the school, rather than the education authority, to determine how its entire budget is spent.

Funding for education for 16 to 19 year olds for schools, academies and sixth form colleges has been the subject of central government cuts recently.

According to the National Union of Teachers, it has fallen in real terms by almost 20 per cent since about 2010.

Mrs Brooker said: "The progressive cuts in 6th-form funding over recent years mean we are now receiving 33 per cent less than we received five years ago. All schools and colleges are having to make difficult decisions. 

"Efficiency savings over the past few years have been implemented with no detriment to our students' high levels of achievement - we will continue to provide the best possible experience for them."

She added: "The staff of the school were consulted and their professional opinions taken into account in determining how best to maintain our high standards, whist reducing costs. 

"Of course we regret having to make this change but extensive planning is being undertaken to mitigate any possible negative impact. 

"We understand the concern expressed and the 41 parents who attended the meeting made a number of suggestions which we agreed to reflect on – we are, however a publicly-funded school and as such, cannot and would not charge for tuition."