FEARS for the future of post-16 education at the Wensleydale School have been voiced.

Changes to the way funding is calculated could mean the Leyburn school's sixth-form budget is down by a third by 2008-9.

After that date, the future remains unclear, with officials still to decide on a funding formula for post-16 provision.

Senior teachers and governors warn that the change could decimate the sixth form. They say vocational courses, already reduced amid budget pressures, could be the hardest hit.

Headteacher David Eaton said he did not believe the sixth form was threatened with closure, but added: "The future is very uncertain.

"There is a recognition of the need for post-16, but nobody is certain how this will be funded from 2008-9. There is a potential shortfall of £100,000.

"In the short term, we've got to be a lot tighter with our provision of vocational curses. Potentially, in three years time, other things may have to go."

Mr Eaton said the concerns were being discussed with the Learning and Skills Council which had taken over funding post-16 education from the local education authority.

The real terms guarantee - used to work out school funding - is to be phased out.

The LSC approach has been criticised for not taking into account pressures faced by rural schools with small sixth forms.

Concern over the funding of post-16 education at rural schools has been raised with the LSC by Richmond MP, William Hague.

At a Richmondshire District Council meeting on Tuesday, county councillor and Wensleydale School governor John Blackie called on the LSC to address the issue.

He said that despite rising attendance at the school, there were ten fewer students in the first year of the sixth form than in the second.

Many parents in upper Wensleydale now sent their children to Settlebeck Secondary School, in Sedbergh, Cumbria.

He said: "Given that funding is reliant on numbers of students, and in any case it is being further reduced by the LSC, it appears that the outlook for the future for A-level core provision and post-16 vocational provision continuing at the Wensleydale School is very grim indeed, and it might close down altogether."

In response, Liz Burdett, North Yorkshire director the LSC, said she was aware of the difficulties faced by rural secondary schools in providing a wide range of post-16 courses.

"This is especially difficult for smaller schools with small sixth forms," she said. "The LSC in North Yorkshire is therefore working directly with the Wensleydale School and with colleagues from the local authority to examine how the situation might be improved."

She continued: "Under what is known as the real terms guarantee, the funding for the school is secure until 2008-9, and it is our understanding that this level of funding poses no real issues for the school.

"Funding beyond 2009 is not yet confirmed and is subject to further consultation."