Decision details

Pupil projections for the Worthing and Durrington locality of schools show there is a significant surplus provision of places at primary schools in the borough. The local authority was asked by schools to lead a review across the locality due to declining pupil numbers and some uncertainty among schools on how this would impact them in the future.  As a result, a public consultation was held to seek views on proposals to reduce these surplus places (decision LS08 (22/23) refers).

A review of the feedback from the public consultation indicated support was evident for proceeding with a number of the solutions to reduce the surplus places.  Therefore the Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills approved progression of these proposals, using procedures in accordance with Department for Education guidance where appropriate, (decision LS14(22/23) refers).

As part of the decision, approval was given for the publication of formal statutory proposals for the closure of Lyndhurst Infant School and the significant change in character of Chesswood Junior School to allow the opening of an all-through primary school at the current Chesswood Junior School site.  The proposals were published for a period of 4 weeks and provided the opportunity for the public to submit new comments regarding the suggested changes; a summary of the representation received is set out in section 4 of the report. Following analysis of the representation, which indicated no new comment or issue was raised, approval is now sought to implement the proposals as published.

The Assistant Director (Education and Skills) has: 

(1)Approved the amalgamation of Lyndhurst Infant and Chesswood Junior Schools onto one site to create a new all-through primary school for 60 Published Admission Number (PAN) Key Stage 1 pupils and 120 PAN Key Stage 2 pupils, together with a 21 place Special Support Centre with effect from 1 September 2024. 

(2)Agreed to discontinue the use of Lyndhurst Infant School with effect from 31 August 2024.  

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