A Worcester sixth form may have to cut courses next year as it faces a 300 per cent hike in its energy bills.

Students at Christopher Whitehead Language College enjoyed a “fabulous” set of A-level results this year according to headteacher Neil Morris.

But he is worried that next year won’t be the same, as rising costs could force the school to cut courses.

“We’re facing a 300 per cent hike in our electric and heating bills - that’s going to cost us £120,000,” he said.

Worcester News: Neil Morris (right) with head of sixth form Matt Mobberley (left) and student Lewis GuestNeil Morris (right) with head of sixth form Matt Mobberley (left) and student Lewis Guest

“I’m worried because I feel like this is the last time I’m going to be able to do this because we’re going to have to cut courses and just won’t have the capacity.

“We’ve just been left as headteachers to get on with it and when I hear people talking about three or four-day weeks, I can sympathise with it. I’ve been going around this morning turning off the lights.”

Teachers across the country are due to get a pay increase in September - but Mr Morris said he doesn’t know where the money is supposed to come from.

'No money for pay increases'

“There’s no money for pay increases - we can’t keep going on like this,” he said.

“We offer 25 different courses at the moment but for how long? Where are the future paramedics, plumbers and engineers going to come from if we have to start cutting courses because we have to cut back on staffing?

“The National Health Service and the education service are in real crisis and it’s because of a lack of funding. In 21 years this is the most worried I’ve been.

READ MORE: Christopher Whitehead Language College students celebrate 'fabulous' A-level results

“We can’t keep stagnating while we wait for the end of Covid, the end of Brexit, whatever it is. It doesn’t help me pay the bills.

“If you’re serious about leveling up, you have to invest in education. This is a really pivotal moment for the country and they have to grasp the nettle.”

Mr Morris said the cost of living crisis is also affecting students at the college.

“Many of them have been working 30 or 40 hours a week while doing A-levels, which are hard,” he said. “They are incredibly resilient.

“But what I will never know is how many never came to sixth form because they felt they had to go and get a job.”