Every secondary school in Richmond will have a sixth form - if the borough’s Conservatives return to power in May.

On May 6 next year, voters will go to the polls in the council elections, and the Tory opposition - seeking to regain control after four years - have made bringing sixth form study into the borough’s eight secondary schools a key pledge.

They have promised to create a post-16 forum, including representatives from schools and colleges, MPs, residents and councillors, to discuss the issue.

Councillors this week criticised the council for not including post-16 provision in the re-built Teddington School or three proposed academies.

Councillor David Marlow, Conservative deputy leader, said that if elected they would press sponsors to revise plans and include sixth forms in academies replacing Shene School, Whitton School and Hampton Community College and insist any new partner “start from the presumption there will be a sixth form”.

He added: “Sixth form studies attract high quality teachers and ambitious students who set standards for the whole school.

“Pupils in Richmond are the only ones in London denied a chance of post-16 courses in their schools. This is a lack of choice we will end.”

Coun Nick True, Conservative leader, said it was “profoundly shocking” the academies did not have post-16 provision and a Conservative administration would ask again what residents wanted.

“I would be surprised if post-16 education did not come up,” he added.

Coun Malcolm Eady, Richmond Council cabinet member for education and children’s services, said the current administration was not dogmatic about sixth forms and had taken decisions on provision in the academies based on parent and staff reaction.

He rejected suggestions that schools with sixth forms attracted better staff and students and said the Tories were looking for a solution to the wrong problem.

He added: “Richmond children achieve very well in 16 to 19 education, and this was verified by Ofsted.

“Richmond upon Thames College provides a wide range of courses for young people of all abilities.

“What we have at post-16 is working. The biggest problem is that we have three or four schools that are underperforming. I have come up with an option for three of them to become academies and believe the fourth - Grey Court - will come round of its own accord under headteacher Maggie Bailey.”

He added there is already a 14 to 19 partnership, which includes schools, colleges, the council, and training providers and the council was about to appoint a new 14 to 19 coordinator.