Issue details

Littlehaven Infant School and Northolmes Junior School federated in September 2014 to become part of the Greenfields Federation and are located less than a kilometre apart to the East of Horsham. The schools share a Governing Body, Headteacher and two Assistant Headteachers.  It is proposed that the two schools are amalgamated to create an all-through primary school on the Northolmes Junior site with effect from September 2025.  Northolmes Junior School would increase its age range from age 7 – 11, Year 3 – Year 6 (Y3-Y6), to become an age 4 – 11, Reception Year – Year 6 (YR – Y6) all through primary school and Littlehaven Infant School would close from September 2025.

On 22 February 2024, a four week informal public consultation was launched, in accordance with Department for Education (DfE) guidance for making prescribed alterations to maintained schools to seek views on the proposed changes.  Details of the consultation process and the feedback received are set out in section 4 of this report. 

The DfE guidance sets out the stages of the process that should be undertaken when considering an amalgamation.  Having completed the first stage of the initial consultation, the Cabinet Member is now asked to consider the feedback received and approve the progression of the proposal to the next stage of the process – publication of statutory notices.  This is proposed for November/December 2024 to ensure the publication is in term time and not school holidays. Whilst estimated costs for adaptation of the buildings have been sought there can be no commitment to any investment of capital until a full business case has been prepared. The proposed consultation will run in parallel to the preparation of that case.