West Sussex County Council has taken the decision to relocate Jessie Younghusband Primary School in a move that will help secure the future of primary education in Chichester.
It follows two public consultations on the proposal to move the school to a new site on the Minerva Heights development allowing neighbouring St Anthony’s School to expand, and to revise the catchment areas for Jessie Younghusband Primary School, Parklands Community Primary School and Fishbourne C of E Primary School. The decision is subject to a call-in period.
The consultation process included a seven-week informal consultation from December 2023 to January 2024 and a four-week formal consultation from April to May 2024.
Relocating Jessie Younghusband to newer, more modern buildings at Minerva Heights will create the potential for the school to expand to a two-form entry in the future, which is not possible in the current location.
In addition, the move will allow St Anthony’s School to be expanded utilising the building vacated by Jessie Younghusband Primary School in order to create 50 much-needed places for children from across the county with special educational needs and disabilities.
Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “At the heart of what we’re trying to achieve is stabilising the future of primary education across Chichester in line with Our Council Plan priority of helping people and communities to fulfil their potential. Relocating Jessie Younghusband to Minerva Heights is our best option to do so because the alternative of a brand-new school on the site would weaken the viability of existing schools in the city, including Jessie Younghusband, and put further pressure on all schools at time when pupil numbers are declining.
“This has been a difficult decision; I appreciate the strength of feeling and understand how upsetting it can be for families who are faced with the prospect of change, both for their children and their community. However, we have made a decision that takes into account the feedback and balances it against the broader needs of our communities as a whole. I strongly believe this will be a positive move for Chichester in the long run, will help our school communities to grow and flourish, provide much needed support for children with additional needs, and stabilise the future of primary education in the city. West Sussex County Council will be supporting the affected schools and the school communities throughout the whole process.”
Further work on detailing the proposals for St Anthony’s School will progress in the autumn term.
Details of the decision have been published on the county council’s website.
