Another Brighton primary school looks likely to close after the announcement of a consultation.
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, in Hollingdean, has almost one in three places vacant.
A statement on the school website said: “As a result of falling pupil numbers, the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton have made the difficult decision to consult on the closure of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Brighton.
“Despite the school’s Ofsted rating of ‘good’ and a strong history of service to the community, 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.
“There are currently 29 per cent surplus places at St Joseph’s, with this figure forecast to increase, adding further financial pressure on the school.
“Therefore, the proposal to consult on closure is a direct consequence of the significant
challenges faced by falling rolls across the city.
“The governors and school leadership team remain deeply committed to St Joseph’s and
understand how challenging closure would be for the school community.
“Following consultation, if closure is decided on, they will work in partnership with the diocese and local authority to ensure that support is given to pupils, their families and the school’s teaching and support staff as they transition to new schools in and around Brighton.”
The falling number of children in Brighton and Hove has left more than half of schools in the red ,financially, although St Joseph’s in not and hasn’t been one of them.
Last May, there were 157 children at the school. The school’s published admission number (PAN) indicates a capacity for 210 pupils.
New new Labour promised in their manifesto to keep schools open. Now to they will close four in two years. Never trust new Labour
Did you read the article?
Catholic Church made this decision.
“As a result of falling pupil numbers, the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton have made the difficult decision to consult on the closure of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Brighton.”
It’s still a maintained school though, so my understanding is that national legislation around per pupil funding will likely have impacted on the school’s decision. There is lots wrong with the current national school funding model which exacerbates some financial pressures schools face and the new Government really should be looking at this issue.
The decision in this case may be the Diocese, but it would be weird if they reached there decision without it being connected to some of the broader issues that national education funding policies have on schools.
There’s an element of inefficiencies that can be addressed. Like for example, centralisation of common tasks, pooling resources, sharing spaces and features.
I’d like to see these kind of paradigms explored.
Such a sad time to hear this school may close, all those children that will miss out on there school time and education looking for another school. Absolutely devastating
Sick od paying for empty schools, time this education gravy train was stopped and modernised,.
You are not paying for them. Schools are funded on the amount of pupils they have so no-one is funding empty schools.
Not surprised when it constantly expects money from the parents but maybe that’s how it is with all Catholic schools?
That’s because of the way capital funding works in church schools. Church/VA s hools have fund 10% of the cost through fund raising or take the money out of their revenue funding. And they have to pay 20% VAT on capital which non VA can claim back.
Blimey Another School in The City to Close.
So those that live in Hollingdean will only have Hertford Primary to attend.
With St Barts closing next month, St Peters has already-what schools are these Children going to be squeezed into.
With the School in Moulsecoomb also closing, what are these Buildings going to be used for-surely not Housing but maybe Offices-but rent of these won’t be Cheap will it
Moulsecoomb looks office like as it is, that could work-other schools I’m not sure about.
The land will almost certainly be redeveloped, so the buildings won’t be used for anything except aggregate.
The building is owned by the catholic church so best ask them what their plans are for it.
As to to where the pupils will go there is an excess of primary school places across the city for them to slot into.
Constantly expects Parents to give over Money
Think all Schools ask for Money, towards something.
This is so so sad, this and hertford closing? Where on earth are the children ment to go?
This school was lovely when I was there as a child run by the nuns.
My mum also worked here as a classroom assistant just sad news.
Hertford in only moving to the Junior Site, but even so, another empty building on the Estate-but there are a lot of Schools up in the Hollingdean Area, all in the same close.
A very sad day for the whole school community. St Joseph’s is a fantastic school with lovely, well behaved children who have benefitted from small classes and staff who go above and beyond; who genuinely care for them and their families. The children of St Joseph’s make great progress and are happy in their school. They describe themselves as a family and I have seen first hand that they behave as such. It is such a shame that the powers that be, whether it be Diocese or Local Authority have made this decision.
It’s a shame schools are funded in this way. Classroom sizes are too big and children do better in smaller classes and so do teachers.
In other words the Council have already decided and signed the death warrant for this school before launching the Consultation???
Plus didn’t Labour promise no school closures or is my memory playing tricks on me?
a) labour promises are panning out to be worth a little less than tory ones.
b) not enough children here to justify all these schools
c) I think that the state school sector and any church/religion should be separate. Like the French do.
Not a council decision but one of the Catholic Church who run this school which is outside of the council controlled schools system.
Again, I really think this is primarily a symptom of a lack of housing. The quality was there, but a school cannot operate with it being one-third empty.