Students and staff to march over possible closure to St Bartholomew's School
Pupils and teachers at a school in Sussex which is at risk of closure are set to march in an effort to keep the site open.
Last updated 11th Dec 2023
St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School in Brighton is at risk of being closed by the council due to falling student numbers.
On Monday, the group will leave the school at 15:20 with the goal of arriving at the city's Jubilee Library at 15:45.
A council member from Brighton and Hove City stated that they "must take decisive action".
Jacob Taylor, co-chair of the council's committee on children, families, and schools, stated: "We're in a bit crisis in our city in terms of our school system.
"We are taking action to properly address this, which is unfortunate and sad and we do not want to do it.
"We know it is the right thing and any responsible council would look at this issue for the long-term pupils in the city."
There is also concern for those teachers that may risk losing their jobs with the planned closure of the Primary School.
Taylor wants to re-assure those worried that there is a plan in place: "We're trying to faciliate with other schools, a redeployment pool.
"Headteachers have already said they want to be able to help with that.
"For instance, in some secondary schools there are some vacancies on support staff.
"We will be working with headteachers, if we vote to go ahead in January to make sure the best redeployment pool is available."
Head teacher of St Bartholomew's, Katie Blood, who is hoping about 100 people will take part in the march to sway the council, said: "We don't think we should close at all and actually what the council need to do is making sure the bigger schools are much smaller.
"This would allow us all to survive or indeed look at federation and academisation to help small schools move in together to help a bigger school.
Ms Blood has been telling us how detrimental she thinks this will be for her pupils.
"We're going to disadvantage a whole group children in the city, who are already at a disadvantage.
"Hopefully, it is going to stop and they are going to come to us and talk to us about making our school more sustainable and support the ongoing problem of school places in the city."