STUDENTS at Tasker Milward voted overwhelmingly in favour of retaining a school sixth form in a referendum organised by pupils today.

At a special assembly to gauge their views on the future of education students were asked to back either provision of 11-19 education at a school with the option for vocational studies provided by Pembrokeshire College or an 11-16 school with sixth form centre at Pembrokeshire College.

The vast majority of pupils – 94% - voted in favour of keeping a school sixth form at a site teaching young people aged 11-19.

Of 602 votes the results were 567 in favour of a school in Haverfordwest with a sixth form and 29 in support of a college sixth form centre. There were six spoilt ballots.

There were around 837 pupils registered at the school last year.

The vote was split into Key Stage groups with 95% of Key Stage 3, years seven to nine, in support of retaining a sixth form in school – 250 votes to 13.

The ballot boxes were supplied by the Child Human Rights department of the County Council, and they oversaw the counting of the votes to ensure there was no bias.

One of the organisers, Ben Richards, said: “Jamie Adams has said that this is not a referendum and the popular vote is not necessarily what will be accepted for the choice of education in Pembrokeshire.

“But I would say that the County Council would be foolish not to recognise the fact that 95% of pupils affected don’t want what the County Council proposed.”

A similar vote is due to be held at Sir Thomas Picton later this week.