Brighton School Faces Closure Amid Declining Enrollment

Discussions have commenced regarding proposals to shut down a long-established school in Brighton, attributed to a decrease in student enrollment figures. The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton initiated this consultation on Wednesday concerning the proposed closure of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, scheduled for next August. This development follows several months after city councillors approved plans to close two other primary schools within the city – St Peter’s in Portslade and St Bartholomew’s in Brighton – citing an oversupply of available places. In a joint statement, the school and the diocese declared: “The governing body and leadership team at St. Joseph’s have faced significant challenges in maintaining enrolment levels sufficient to support the school’s financial sustainability.” The statement further indicated that the proposal represents a “direct consequence of the significant challenges faced by falling rolls across the city”. It also noted: “There are currently 29% surplus places at St Joseph’s, with this figure forecast to increase adding further financial pressure on the school.” As part of the consultation, the diocese communicated in a letter that, should the closure be confirmed, current pupils would be provided with an opportunity to enroll at an alternative school. The letter clarified that the school has consistently experienced under-subscription in recent years, with student figures failing to reach the school’s published admission number annually. It stated: “This means it will become increasingly difficult for the school to remain financially viable and to provide good outcomes for pupils.” The school, established in 1879, informed parents via a letter that extensive efforts had been undertaken to boost student enrollment. This potential closure has already prompted the creation of a petition against the action, which has garnered hundreds of supporters. The consultation period is set to conclude on 17 January. For further updates, BBC Sussex can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas may be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or by WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Details concerning our external linking policy are available.