A parent and local businessman has condemned plans for the Bungay High Sixth Form closure, accusing the trust behind the school of “giving up” on the town’s young people.
Sam Oliver, founder and chief executive of international packaging firm BodyPak, spoke out after East Anglian Schools Trust (EAST) announced it would apply to the Department for Education to shut the sixth form from September 2026.
Mr Oliver, whose daughter is a student at Bungay High, said: “It is really disappointing and such a shame because the school is a really good school. When did the education of our children become a business?”
He explained that the existence of a sixth form had been a key factor in choosing the school for his daughter. In an email to EAST chief executive Angela Goduti, who was previously Bungay High’s headteacher, he wrote: “You are giving up on the further education of young people in the Bungay and Halesworth area.
“Our daughter has had a fantastic first year at Bungay winning sports and academic awards and we’ve been so impressed with the commitment, creativity and care that the Headteacher and her team of staff have shown her.
“However, if EAST had made this decision last year then it is questionable whether we would have chosen Bungay High School for her education. Bungay Sixth Form could be a great product, you have the right people in place so don’t throw away forever something that is special and integral to the prosperity of the Bungay area.”
The controversy comes after EAST suspended the Year 12 intake earlier this month. Only 19 students had enrolled, and families were informed on the first day of term, leaving many scrambling for alternative placements. The sudden announcement sparked frustration among parents and students who had planned around the school’s sixth form provision.
Yesterday the trust confirmed it was moving ahead with formal Bungay High Sixth Form closure plans. EAST said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we are proposing the Sixth Form closure. This course of action has been taken to secure the best possible provision for post-16 students.
“The Department for Education is ultimately responsible for making this decision following a review of consultation outcomes. Students, staff and families have been kept updated on these developments and we will continue to work closely with the Bungay High School community throughout the process.”
A public consultation will be launched, inviting views from families, staff, local authorities, and other post-16 providers before a decision is made. Current Year 13 students will not be affected by the consultation or final DfE decision.
Bungay High is part of EAST, a multi-academy trust established in 2019, initially joining Bungay, Farlingaye, and Kesgrave secondary schools. The trust expanded further in 2020 with the establishment of Castle EAST, a free special school for children with interaction and communication needs. In 2023, EAST welcomed several Suffolk primaries from the Avocet Academy Trust. EAST describes itself as an “all-phase trust” delivering education across all key stages and emphasises inclusivity, effective learning, and personal development.
Mr Oliver highlighted the wider implications of the closure for the Bungay community. He said the sixth form offered a unique opportunity for local students to continue education without having to travel further afield, adding that the decision could have long-term consequences for the area’s prosperity.
BodyPak, Mr Oliver’s company, was founded in 2008 and has grown into a global packaging supplier with offices in the UK, USA, Poland, and India. The business serves international FMCG brands, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and flexibility. Mr Oliver said the experience has taught him the value of investing in people and communities, which he sees mirrored in the school’s approach to education.
EAST said the proposed closure was intended to secure the best possible post-16 provision, and emphasised that it remained committed to working closely with students, families, and staff. The trust’s statement underlined its wider vision: to provide high-quality education across multiple sites while maintaining the wellbeing of students and staff.
The consultation period will allow stakeholders to shape the decision, ensuring families and the local community have a voice in the future of post-16 education in Bungay. EAST said it would continue engaging with parents, carers, and local authorities to ensure all perspectives are considered before the Department for Education makes a final ruling.
The Bungay High Sixth Form closure debate highlights tensions in education between financial viability, student choice, and community needs. For parents like Mr Oliver, the decision is about more than numbers; it is about safeguarding opportunities for local young people and protecting a provision they see as vital to the town’s future.
