The council is reviewing the admissions system for secondary schools in a bid to create a fairer system. Brighton and Hove City Council has revealed that declining pupil numbers are adversely affecting secondary schools. It also said that disadvantaged young people are not receiving the same outcomes as fellow students, mirroring the picture across the country.
The proportion of students receiving free school meals by catchment area is currently unbalanced, with the highest number in Brighton Aldridge Community Academy’s catchment (50 per cent) and the lowest in Patcham High School’s catchment (19 per cent). To tackle this, the council has set out three models on changes to catchment areas and admissions numbers. READ MORE: New era for university as students welcomed to redeveloped campus The first is to modify the existing six catchment areas, the second is to reduce the catchments down to four and the third is to create single school catchment areas.
The council has opened a public consultation on its plans with a survey which will run until October 23. It will also be holding three public meetings - on October 8, 6.30.
pm at Hove Town Hall, October 10, 6pm online, and October 16, 6.30pm online. Any changes will take effect from September 2026.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader of the council, said: “We want to build an education system in the city that is fair and inclusive where all pupils can access a great education. READ MORE: 'Exceptionally' kind children an.
