Brighton & Hove City Council has proposed the closure of St Peter’s Community Primary School because the school has a low number of pupils attending the school.
In the May 2023 school census, St Peter’s Community Primary School had the following number of pupils attending. The school has the capacity to admit 210 pupils.
| School | Year reception | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Peter’s Community Primary School | 17 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 109 |
This was the lowest total number of pupils of any of the city’s primary schools.
Schools are funded by the government on a formula basis. The number of pupils attending a school drives the level of funding received. This means that schools with unfilled places are under increased financial pressure and, over time, are less able to function efficiently.
Brighton & Hove City Council must ensure that schools are full or nearly full so that they can cope with ongoing financial pressures.
St Peter's Community Primary School is currently operating with a deficit budget. The school’s budget forecast for 2023 to 2024 is £203,000 and the school is currently unable to forecast reaching a balanced budget position in the longer term.
There are 4 schools within 1 mile of the school. If the proposal to close the school is carried out it's estimated that there will remain surplus places in the school’s vicinity in all school years except year 2 and year 6 (in the academic year 2024 to 2025) if all pupils who attend St Peter’s Community Primary School seek a place in another Brighton & Hove school.
It's known that some pupils live in West Sussex and it's reasonable to assume that some of those pupils will seek places in schools outside of Brighton & Hove.
We'll support parents with transition arrangements to nearby local schools that have spaces, taking into consideration any issues and concerns raised by families.
Further information about moving schools.
St Peter's Primary School has a nursery with 20 children attending. Should the school close, the nursery will also close. Families will be supported by Brighton & Hove City Council to look for alternative provisions.
If these proposals are agreed then children attending the nursery, who may be expecting to apply for a place and attend the school in September 2024, will need to seek alternative places to start school.
Respondents are asked to submit an online response about the closure of either or both of these schools on the consultation page.