The principal of Richmond College has said the council’s £25m plan to introduce sixth forms at five secondary schools could reduce the number of students who enrol at the college.

David Ansell said he was “alert to the danger” that Richmond Council’s proposals could have a negative impact.

He made the comments after the authority launched its four week sixth form consultation with parents and residents on Friday, March 2.

Mr Ansell said the college worked with headteachers, council officers and councillors as they developed the proposals.

He said: “Richmond College intends to continue working in this way in the expectation of continuing to play a clear and significant role in the provision of post-16 education and training in the borough.

“We are alert to the danger that the establishment of sixth forms will have a negative impact on college enrolments and most concerned that the high quality and wide range of our provision is maintained in order to ensure maximum choice for young people.”

Nick Whitfield, director of education, children’s and cultural services at Richmond Council, said he could not predict how the move would affect the number of students enrolling at the college, in Egerton Road, Twickenham, because teenagers would make their own choice.

He said: “This is not an anti-college policy - this is about choice and diversity. We believe the college will still have a unique and important place in the borough.”

Maggie Bailey, headteacher of Grey Court School, in Ham, said pupils, parents and staff were all excited about the prospect of getting a sixth form.

She said: “It’s exciting for students because they will be able to stay at their own schools.”

Philippa Nunn, headteacher at Waldegrave School for Girls, in Twickenham, added: “As a group of headteachers we recognise the excellent education Richmond College provides. “We wish to continue to work in partnership with the college, which we believe will always be first choice for some of our students.

“We are very excited by the prospect of being able to offer our students the choice of staying in a school to study post-16 and look forward to progressing plans further.”

Councillor Malcolm Eady, Richmond Liberal Democrat group’s education spokesman, said: “To spend £25m on a project which will probably not improve outcomes and will very likely lead to a much reduced offer on courses is questionable during a time of plenty.”

Hampton Academy and Twickenham Academy have both already won permission to open new sixth forms and Richmond Park Academy is due to launch its own consultation soon.