Two Sussex Schools Set To Close As Pupil Numbers Fall

Two primary schools in Uckfield and Lewes are set to close their doors next month, following final approval from a senior county councillor. 

On Tuesday (November 14), Cllr Bob Standley, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for education, approved the closure of Holy Cross Church of England Primary School in Belmont Road.

The decision, set to come into force on December 31, marks the final step in a long-running process, which has seen several rounds of consultations over the past year. 

Confirming the closure, Cllr Standley said:

“It is with regret — my job is opening schools not closing them, but unfortunately we have no options — that I will agree to the closure of the school in December.”

The closure process began as the school’s pupil numbers had fallen below a ‘viable’ level. On paper, the school is supposed to have space for up to 210 pupils, but only had 26 children on its roll at the last school census when the process began in May.

This reduction in pupil numbers had been ongoing for some years, coming alongside issues with staffing and school leadership. 

These issues had forced the school to reorganise into just two classes — one for Reception to Year Two and another for Years Three to Six — something which is considered to be having a negative impact on the quality and consistency of education.

The council says it has been working alongside the Diocese of Chichester to find alternatives to closure for some time (including both federation and academisation), but the school’s small number of pupils mean these other routes are not viable.

According to the council, other schools in Uckfield and the surrounding area have sufficient capacity to take on all of the pupils currently on roll at Holy Cross. The council has also previously said it intends to make mental health support available to staff, children and their families through support sessions and transition activities.

The prospect of a closure has been on the horizon for some time, with the school’s Interim Executive Board (IEB) writing to parents in March to raise this possibility. 

In a letter sent to parents at the time, IEB chairman Simon Chandler said:

“We recognise that this news will be very upsetting for you and that you will be anxious about what it means for your child(ren).

“I want to assure you our decision has been taken in the best interests of the children; at the centre of everything we do is a commitment that we all share to provide and excellent standard of education for all children.

“Sadly, we no longer believe that is possible at Holy Cross.”

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A Lewes primary school is also set to close its doors, following final approval from East Sussex County Council.

On Tuesday (November 14), Cllr Bob Standley, lead member for education, agreed the closure of St Pancras Catholic Primary School in Lewes.

The closure, requested by the school’s governing body and the Diocese of Arundel, is set to come into force on August 31 — following the end of the current school year. 

Cllr Standley said:

“It is difficult. I don’t like closing schools, but on the evidence in front of me — I have looked at all the reports, I have looked at the equality impact assessment — my decision is accept this statutory proposal to discontinue the school at August next year.”

As a voluntary aided school (rather than a maintained school), consultation on the closure have been run by the school and the Diocese of Arundel. While not directly involved in running this process, the county council is the decision maker for local school closures.

This process began as a result of falling pupil numbers, with governors concerned that the school was no longer financially viable. In a report to Cllr Standly, officers said the governing board and the Diocese had considered alternatives to closure (including federation and academisation) but none were deemed to be viable.

When the school first began its consultation it had 105 pupils on roll, 35 short of its 140 capacity. At time of publication, this number had fallen significantly, with only 35 pupils remaining.

According to council officers, the majority of children that have left St Pancras in recent months have found places at either Wallands Community School or Southover CE Primary School.