Primary school in Uckfield set to close at the end of the year

It's after the number of pupils attending Holy Cross C of E Primary School fell to 26.

Author: Cameron HallPublished 11th Sep 2023

A primary school in Uckfield is set to close at the end of the year.

Holy Cross Church of England Primary School on Belmont Road will likely to permanently close its doors on December 31 after its pupil numbers fell below a 'viable' level.

Only 26 pupils were enrolled at the school last May, despite it having space for 210.

Therefore, East Sussex County Council's Lead Member for Education, Cllr Bob Standley, decided on Monday (11 September) to trigger a statutory proposal to close the school.

This starts a final round of consultations on the school's future, with Cllr Standley set to make a final decision about its closure on 14 November.

The decision follows a six-week consultation over the summer about the school's future.

A council report said 71% of those who responded say they were opposed to the school's closure.

The report also said that there was "sufficient school places" for pupils to be moved elsewhere, and that it would be provide mental health support for parents, pupils and staff, affected.

An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said closing the school "at the earliest opportunity is in the best interests of the children and the school community."

They added that "the council will continue to work with the school and will also support any families of the remaining pupils who want to identify an alternative school" before the final decision meeting on 14 November.