Public meetings for secondary school catchment area changes

Changes to school catchments aim to reduce pressure on oversubscribed schools, and are also in response to the delayed opening of a new free school set to open in 2019.

The proposals would see the catchment area for Dorothy Stringer and Varndean School narrowed, as both schools attract more pupils than they have capacity for.

The Blatchington Mill and Hove Park catchment area is similarly set to be oversubscribed by 2019 and will see some areas moved to the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy catchment.

The changes would be in place for two years from 2019 to 2021, with new boundaries drawn up for 2021 onwards.

At a meeting of the children, young people and skills committee last week, Conservative councillor Vanessa Brown said: “Well we know we have to do this and we know sadly there will always be residents who aren’t happy.

“By doing it twice it is going to create more uncertainty for parents. We would like to encourage all parents to come forward to the meetings so we can get an understanding of their concerns.”

Referring to controversial proposals to change catchments last year, which were scrapped after outrage from parents, Amanda Mortenson, a parent governor representative, said: “Parents in the city are just exasperated by it. What happens if you get uproar again?”

She said she could understand the frustrations of parents who had moved into a catchment area, only to have the boundaries moved.

Labour chairman of the children’s committee Daniel Chapman said: “This is a really difficult issue. Not everyone is going to be happy but what’s really important to emphasise we’ve got a really great family of schools in the city.”

The council has also agreed to consult on reducing the number of pupils at five primary schools in the city.

The schools are: Moulsecoomb Primary School, Coombe Road Primary School, West Hove Infant School, Benfield Primary School and Hertford Infant and Nursery School.

Councillors heard the first three schools supported the plans, but Benfield and Hertford opposed them.

The council said schools face financial pressure when classes are low, and the move would ensure no schools in the city have to close.

A series of public meetings will also be held during the consultation. They offer residents a chance to find out more about the proposals and to discuss them with council representatives.

The following public meetings have been confirmed:

- Tuesday, October 3, Coombe Road from 3pm to 5pm

- Wednesday, October 4, Longhill from 6pm to 8pm

- Thursday, October 5, Hertford Infant from 3.30pm to 5pm

- Wednesday, October 11, West Hove Infant (School Road) from 6pm to 8pm

- Thursday, October 12, Benfield Primary from 3.30pm to 5pm

- Tuesday, October 31, Patcham High from 6pm to 8pm

- Wednesday, November 1, West Hove Infant (Connaught Road) from 3.30pm to 5pm

- Saturday, November 4, Brighthelm Centre from 9am to 11am

- Monday, November 6, Stanford Junior from 1.30pm to 3pm

- Thursday, November 9, Elm Grove Primary from 6pm to 8pm

Further dates will be posted online when they are confirmed.

The consultation starts on October 2 and the closing date is November 19.

To give your views on the proposals, visit: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/schooladmissions