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

Leanne Gayle, 28, says of sixth form college BSix: ‘There were so many enrichment opportunities here. A group of six of us wanted to get into Oxbridge, five of us succeeded.’ Photograph: handout

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. Help and support is given for exam retakes, allowing those who pass to take A-levels.