Brighton and Hove councillors agreed to start a public consultation after hearing fewer than 2,000 children are expected to start school in 2025 and 2026.
The Children, Families and School Committee heard the predicted excess of 651 places in 2025 and 662 in 2026, impacting school funding.
During the meeting on Monday, November 6, the committee was told there were no set criteria when selecting the schools to reduce their published admission numbers (PAN) other than having at least two forms per year.
Several schools listed to reduce their numbers have previously fought against the proposals and can take their case to the schools adjudicator if they oppose the plans again.
The proposals to reduce admissions to Brunswick, Goldstone, Rudyard Kipling Queen’s Park, Stanford, St Luke’s and Woodingdean primary schools, and Patcham and Stanford infant schools would see reception class numbers reduced by 300 across the city.
Committee chair, Labour councillor Jacob Taylor, said if schools agree to reduce admissions, then the council will not have to close smaller schools.
At the same meeting, councillors agreed to launch a public consultation into closing St Bartholomew’s CofE School in Brighton and St Peter’s Community School in Portslade.
Councillor Taylor said: “I understand parents at schools might think ‘This is a popular school. Why are PANs being reduced?’
“We need to be able to do that to achieve the goals to reduce the emptiness of our schools and increase the funding.
“I would ask headteachers, governors and parents to really think about that as we go through these consultations. We’re trying to do what’s best for the entire city with the proposals we take forward.
Green councillor Sue Shanks asked about the implications for Patcham Junior School if its main feeder, Patcham Infants, has fewer pupils.
Head of schools organisation Richard Barker said there would be an impact down the line for the juniors if the infant school does drop to two-form entry, which would require a future consultation.
The consultation for the Patcham junior school would be in principle when the 2025 infants are moving.
Woodingdean ward councillor Jacob Allen raised concerns that if the admissions to the village’s two schools were reduced, children from the area would not be offered a primary school place elsewhere.
Mr Barker confirmed 90 reception places across the two Woodingdean schools would be enough for children living locally.
The proposals going to public consultation are:
- Brunswick is being asked to go from 120 places to 90. It offered places to 79 pupils this year.
- Goldstone is being asked to go from 90 to 60. It offered places to 90 pupils this year.
- Patcham Infant is being asked to go from 90 places to 60. It offered places to 78 pupils this year.
- Queen’s Park is being asked to go from 60 places to 30. It offered places to 35 pupils this year.
- Saltdean is being asked to go from 90 places to 60. It offered places to 72 pupils this year.
- Stanford Infant is being asked to go from 90 places to 60. It offered places to 68 pupils this year.
- St Luke’s is being asked to go from 90 places to 60. It offered places to 87 pupils this year.
- Woodingdean is being asked to go from 60 to 45 places. It offered places to 43 pupils this year.
- Rudyard Kipling is being asked to go from 60 to 45 places. It offered places to 40 pupils this year.
The consultation ends on Friday, December 22.
Councillors are due to discuss the results when the Children, Families and Schools Committee meets on Monday, January 8, 2024.
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