Why merge the two sixth forms?
Before going ahead with the proposal of the two North Leeds schools merging, I must do some research to see whether the proposal is a good idea.
To attain information on gains and losses of a merger, I have done both primary and secondary research.
- Primary Research - Interview with Head of AGS (Dr Haynes)
- Secondary Research - School websites
- Prospectus
- Nuffield BP Business & Economics for GCSE
I will be studying:
- Mergers
- Stakeholders
- Economies of Scale
- Diseconomies of scale
If the merger took place, there would be many more students present at the new sixth form. This could work to the advantage of the students. Currently, only 6 people are needed for a subject to be taught. If there are more students, there could be more subjects available. Subjects such as A-level photography may be able to be taught because the class size is large enough. This would also allow a more flexible time table.
The larger class sizes would not only affect the students. If the two schools merged, there would be a large affect on the teachers.
In both sixth forms they have teachers that used specifically for one subject, e.g. maths teacher for the subject maths. If the two sixth forms merged, there may be fewer teachers required.
For example, if Roundhay Sixth form currently has 15 students in their A-Level History class and AGS Sixth form has 10, rather than have the two classes separate, they would be merged into one. Therefore there would only be the need of one teacher. This would mean that the other teacher would be placed doing a different subject (e.g. Geography). After studying the theories of Mazlow, F.W Taylor, Elton Mayo and Herzberg, I have found that job enrichment is a key factor in order to motivate a worker.
If one of the teachers of a certain subject were classed as being less intellectual than the other by not being able to teach their primary subject, the teacher would be unmotivated to work, as there is no possible promotion.
This however has an opposite affect on the students. If the students are getting the most well educated teacher, they are likely to get better education and higher grades.
Stakeholders of the two sixth forms (customers, community, suppliers, creditors) also have a large affect put against them.
If the two sixth forms merged, there would be a problem with where the lessons are going to be held. The customers, the students, may have problems with getting transport from AGS sixth form building to the Roundhay Sixth form building, and vice versa.
For Example, if art is being taught in R.S.F and English in A.G.S.F and the time to get to each lesson is 5 minutes; there may be a slight problem.
Period times in R.S.F may be different to the period times in A.G.S.F and could cause problems to student’s education.
There is also a security risk as students will not be under supervision when moving from one building to the other.
A single building for both sixth forms would be a lot more economical. There would only be the need of one caretaker and one set of cleaners. This is classed as being a reduction in the cost of production as a result of an increase in the scale of production. This is also known as Economies of scale.
Because there are a larger amount of students, the costs (electricity, gas) are being used more effectively.
For example, if there are three classrooms with only 8 students in each, the costs are much higher than the output. If there are 25 people in each room, there is a higher output than cost.
However, this solution also has its drawbacks. If there are a lot more students in one area, there is a chance of negative externalities by pollution (litter and exhaust fumes). This will be a private cost and a social cost. It will cost the school more money to clean up the litter. The social cost will affect the surrounding community in the form of litter all over the area.
After analysing all of these problems and solutions, gains and losses have helped me come to my conclusion.
I believe that the benefits of the merger are more or less equal to losses. It would be better for the two sixth forms to remain separate. This way the identity of each school would remain. If the merger took place, they may gain the benefits of lower costs, a larger selection of subjects and a larger budget, but the schools lose identity, problems with negative externalities and possibly poor motivation of staff.
