Stanford Infant and Junior Schools merger proposal

Brighton & Hove is experiencing declining school enrolment across the city, which has created significant challenges for primary schools.

Both Stanford Infant School and Stanford Junior School face structural budget deficits that are not sustainable. School funding is directly linked to pupil numbers rather than providing a set amount per school, this and pay rises without equivalent funding rises to schools, have resulted in increasing budgetary pressures for both schools. Stanford Infant School's PAN has been reduced from 90 to 60 from September 2025 and this reduction in pupil numbers will further impact both schools in the coming years.

At the moment, families have to apply for a place at the junior school when their child finishes year 2, which can create uncertainty. Even though most children, around 90%, do move from the infant school to the junior school, the current system doesn’t guarantee a place, which can be stressful for families.

Proposing to merge schools

The council, with the support of both Stanford Infant School and Stanford Junior School Governing Bodies, is proposing to merge the 2 schools into a single all-through primary school operating across both existing sites. This would create a seamless educational journey from reception to year 6, with one Headteacher, one Senior Leadership Team and one Governing Body.

The merger would provide curriculum continuity, easier transition to year 3 places for all infant pupils, and further opportunities for staff career development and flexibility of resources across both sites. These changes would be implemented from September 2026, allowing time for proper planning and transition.