Decision details

Pupil projections for the Worthing and Durrington locality of schools show that the current significant surplus provision of places at primary schools in the borough will continue. 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. Therefore in November 2022 the Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills approved the launch of a public consultation on proposed solutions to reduce the number of primary school places across the area (decision LS08 (22/23) refers).

The consultation sought views on the proposed reduction in surplus places through a reduction in published admission numbers at certain schools and the reorganisation of provision across Chesswood Junior, Springfield Infants and Lyndhurst Infant schools.  Details of the consultation process and the feedback received is set out in section 4 of this report. 

Following assessment of the outcome of this consultation support was evident for proceeding with a number of proposed changes including the amalgamation of Lyndhurst Infant and Chesswood Junior schools onto one site to create an all-through primary school.  It is not proposed to include Springfield Infant school as part of the proposed amalgamation, reflecting the majority of the feedback which indicated support to retain this as a standalone infant school. The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills is now asked to approve the progression of the following proposals to reduce the number of surplus places in the Worthing and Durrington area.

The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills has approved:

1)   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 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 September 2024;

2)   The delegation of authority to the Assistant Director (Education and Skills) to determine whether the changes set out in recommendation (1) should proceed following consideration of any representations received during the statutory proposal period.

3)   That officers further explore options for the allocation of the required revenue funding to enable the phased removal of temporary accommodation from schools in the area.

4)   That officers identify through feasibility studies the required level of capital funding through the County Council’s capital governance process to undertake the necessary works required to implement the proposals in this report.  All capital proposals will require separate business case submission and consideration against priorities and value for money;

5)   Further engagement with Schoolsworks Multi-Academy Trust to progress plans for the development of an 8 place Special Support Centre on the site of either Downsbrook Primary or Whytemead Primary school. 

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