As a deeply concerned resident of Ceredigion, I am witnessing the potential impact of the council's decision to close all but one sixth form site. This decision will not only increase travel costs for families but also extend journey times for our children. They may end up spending the same time travelling each day as they do in the classroom, which is unacceptable. Students in the North of Ceredigion are set to face up to 60 mile round trips to attend A Level lessons.

Due to lack of funding and the mismanagement of the current Sixth Form provision, Ceredigion County Council believes it has the answer to its economic woes and that answer will see hundreds of parents and children hit with higher costs as the Council forces them to pay for the authorities mistakes.

Sixth form education is currently available in Ceredigion at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, Cardigan; Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron; Ysgol Bro Pedr, Lampeter; Ysgol Bro Teifi, Llandysul; Ysgol Penglais, Aberystwyth; and Ysgol Penweddig, Aberystwyth. Plans being pushed through will see these sites closed and replaced with one central centre of excellence. 

Our community believes in the importance of education and accessibility. However, this proposed plan by Ceredigion County Council threatens both these values. The closure of multiple sites will force families to shoulder additional financial burdens and disrupt students' routines significantly.

According to a study by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), longer travel times can negatively affect students' academic performance and well-being. This is something we cannot afford to risk in our community.

What we cannot risk is the new longer journey times leading to students avoiding continuing their studies at Sixth Form. Fundamentally, children should not have to spend more time travelling to Sixth Form than Parents do travelling to work.

We are calling on Ceredigion County Council to reconsider their plans and explore alternatives that do not compromise our children's education or impose unnecessary costs on families already struggling with economic challenges.

Please join us in urging the council to halt their plans and protect our children’s future by signing this petition today.