The agreement between the council and college about A level provision will be reviewed annually to avoid the “collapse” of school sixth forms.

The agreement was said to have meant 57 young people were able to stay at school but also take an A level not usually on offer there.

Clr. Mike Stoddart made an amendment at full council on Thursday (October 11) that the Memorandum of Understanding between Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire College continue to be reviewed annually.

It was proposed that the review go to a scrutiny committee before coming to full council, with some discussion about when would be the most suitable time.

It had been recommended that the position be reviewed in 2021.

Clr. Stoddart argued that the MoU would lead to the “collapse” of sixth forms in schools.

“Once you drop below a certain level the sixth form just collapses,” he added, referring to a 20 per cent drop in students, which includes the loss of sixth forms at two north Pembrokeshire schools.

“I would say if we allow this to remain for three years the sixth forms in our schools will be decimated,” said Clr. Stoddart.

Clr. John Davies added to the amendment that the council, through the Welsh Local Government Association, lobby the Welsh Government to urgently review and prioritise funding for sixth forms across Wales.

Clr. Paul Rapi chaired the scrutiny committee which looked at the MoU last month and he told full council that it was “no secret” that funding was being reduced.

He added that there was a risk of redundancy as students reduced and teachers were not needed as well as the potential to impact on the quality of teachers attracted to work in the area.

“The kind of teachers we want to attract will not come to a school where they have no opportunity to teach sixth form,” he added.

An amendment from Clr. Stan Hudson that a percentage limit on students able to attend sixth form at Haverfordwest High be removed was also agreed by council.