Calls for Hove schools to 'rethink' plans to join an academy trust
West Hove Infants and Hove Juniors are consulting with parents
There are calls for two schools in Hove to 'reconsider' a plan to join an academy trust, and leave local authority control.
West Hove Infants and Hove Juniors are currently consulting with parents on whether to become part of the Aurora Multi Academy Trust (MAT).
They claim falling pupil numbers and financial strains mean they would be better placed within a larger group of similar schools
But Brighton and Hove City Council say joining a trust would be 'an irreversible decision', saying they believe it would be 'wrong' and 'remove accountability'.
They've suggested that remaining with the local authority would 'best support all children and young people within the city'.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader of the Council, said:
“We urge the governors to pause this consultation and work with us to ensure all stakeholders have the information they need to make an informed decision.
“This is a decision that will impact on the future education of thousands of city children and should not be made lightly or without considering all the facts. The council opposes this proposal.
“We are seeing an unprecedented reduction in the number of primary-aged children within the city. Joining a trust does not create more children – and fewer children means schools have fewer funds available.
“We are keen to work with school leaders and learn from what has been a challenging situation for many schools in the city over the past few years.
“Years of underfunding from national government has not only affected schools – it's affected local authorities too and has contributed to the difficult climate.
“We want to make sure we work together to do all we can to safeguard the future of the city’s schools.
“We are therefore very much of the view that now is not the moment to continue the drift towards academisation.”