Two Primary Schools Set to Permanently Reduce Reception Intakes

Council proposals for permanent cuts

Brighton and Hove City Council is proposing to permanently reduce pupil intake at two local primary schools. The plans for Brunswick Primary School in Somerhill Road, Hove, and Coldean Primary School in Kenwards, Brighton, are set out in an annual report on school admissions. The council's cabinet will consider the proposals at a meeting on 12 November, with a public consultation scheduled to start on 23 November.

Brunswick Primary's history of reductions

Brunswick Primary was once the largest school in the city with a published admission number (PAN) of 120. The school cut its intake to 90 from September 2023, then further reduced it to 60 from September 2025. On national offer day this year, the school offered places to 52 children for Reception. The school successfully appealed to the schools' adjudicator in 2021 to maintain its PAN at 120 after the council had voted to reduce admissions to 90.

Coldean Primary's financial pressures

Coldean Primary currently has an intake of 60 but offered places to just 36 children for Reception this September. The school faces financial pressures because class sizes are limited to 30 for the first three years of primary school, while government funding is based on pupil numbers. This means Coldean would need to provide two classes and two teachers for 60 places whilst receiving funding for just over half that number. Coldean reduced its admissions to 30 Reception pupils for the 2025-26 school year and again for September 2027.

Demographic decline and consultation process

The number of under-fives in Brighton and Hove fell by a quarter between the 2011 and 2021 census. Both schools' governing bodies back the council's proposed reductions. The consultation will run for seven weeks, with a final decision due in February 2027. Two online events are scheduled: Coldean's event is on 6pm on Wednesday 25 November, whilst Brunswick's is on 6pm on Tuesday 1 December.

The council said the proposals "reflect sustained patterns of demand, support the efficient use of school places and will assist the affected schools in planning staffing and financial resources on a more sustainable basis".

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