Students in a Norfolk town will have to travel 20 miles to Norwich from September as a sixth form college announced it is "pausing" its operation.

Sir Isaac Newton East - based at the same site as Great Yarmouth Charter Academy - will be suspending its operation for Years 12 and 13 after this term.

A spokesperson for Inspiration Trust said new and returning students will be supported with transport to the trust's sister sites - Sir Isaac Newton and Jane Austen Sixth Form - in Norwich.

Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form is one of the highest-rated schools in the country according to the Sunday Times Parent Power guide in 2023.Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form is one of the highest-rated schools in the country according to the Sunday Times Parent Power guide in 2023. (Image: Newsquest) "Running a small school-based sixth-form in Great Yarmouth presented challenges that required us to review our provision," the spokesperson said.

"As a result, we are making changes to Sir Isaac Newton East (SIN East). Starting from September 2024, the sixth-form provision for any new intake to the Great Yarmouth-based site will be paused.

"We have recently taken the approach of having SIN East Year 13s study at Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich.

"Due to the success of this approach, we plan to continue and develop this in September. This will mean that SIN East students currently in Year 13, will sit exams as planned, and our Year 12s will be able to study at either SIN Norwich or Jane Austen Sixth Form depending on their subject choice."

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Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, where Sir Isaac Newton East was based.Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, where Sir Isaac Newton East was based. (Image: Google) Current Year 11 pupils at Charter Academy, who had been offered a place at SIN East, and meet the entry criteria, will now be offered a place at either Sir Isaac Newton Norwich or Jane Austen Sixth Form. Both of the Norwich colleges have been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

SIN East began operation at the Charter Academy site in September 2023. 

Its first cohort comprised "20-plus" young people studying mathematics, core mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, computer science, psychology, sociology, geography, history, physical education and art and design.