school admissions : Brighton & Hove councilors have approved significant changes to school admission arrangements starting September 2026. This article details the new open admissions criteria, adjusted published admission numbers (PANs), and catchment area boundary changes, aiming to improve equality and educational outcomes. Learn how these changes will affect school admissions in the city.
Summary: Brighton & Hove City Council has voted to implement substantial changes to school admission arrangements, effective from September 2026. These changes include introducing an open admissions criterion to ensure equitable access, adjusting published admission numbers (PANs) to reflect falling pupil numbers, and modifying catchment area boundaries for select schools. The aim is to improve educational outcomes and address inequalities in the city’s school system.
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Brighton & Hove is set to undergo significant transformations in its school admission policies, with changes approved by the City Council to take effect from September 2026. These adjustments, aimed at addressing falling pupil numbers and enhancing equity, will impact how students are admitted to secondary schools across the city. This article provides a detailed overview of the changes, their implications, and what parents and guardians need to know.
The Decision and Its Context
Following an extensive consultation process involving pupils, parents, school staff, and the wider community, Brighton & Hove councillors have agreed to overhaul the existing school admission arrangements. The decision, supported by Labour councillors and cross-party members from the Greens, Independents, and the Brighton & Hove Independent Group, reflects a commitment to improving educational outcomes and addressing inequalities within the city.
The changes come at a crucial time, as Brighton & Hove faces declining pupil numbers and the need to ensure fair access to education for all its young residents. The approved modifications are designed to create a more equitable system, offering greater choice and opportunity for students across the city.
Addressing Inequalities Through Open Admissions
One of the key changes is the introduction of an open admissions criterion. This initiative seeks to level the playing field by reserving up to 5% of places in each community secondary school for pupils residing in single-school catchment areas.
Why Open Admissions?
- Equal Access: In areas with only one secondary school, students have limited options. The open admissions criterion aims to provide these students with access to a wider range of schools.
- Greater Choice: This change empowers families by giving them more options when choosing a secondary school for their children.
- Fairness: By addressing the imbalance in access, the council hopes to create a fairer education system for all students in Brighton & Hove.
How Open Admissions Will Work
The open admissions criterion will reserve a specific percentage of places, ensuring that students from single-school catchment areas have a guaranteed opportunity to apply to other schools. This will be implemented alongside existing admission criteria, providing a balanced approach to school placements.
Adjusting Published Admission Numbers (PANs)
In response to declining pupil numbers, the council has also decided to amend the published admission numbers (PANs) for three secondary schools: Longhill High School, Blatchington Mill School, and Dorothy Stringer School.
The Impact of Falling Pupil Numbers
- School budgets are directly linked to pupil numbers.
- Empty places can lead to reduced resources, impacting teaching and support.
- Adjusting PANs helps protect the long-term sustainability of the city’s education system.
Specific PAN Changes:
- Longhill High School: PAN reduced from 270 to 210.
- Blatchington Mill School: PAN reduced from 330 to 300.
- Dorothy Stringer School: PAN reduced from 330 to 300.
These adjustments are intended to ensure that schools are adequately funded and can provide high-quality education to their students, even with fluctuating pupil numbers.
Modifying Catchment Area Boundaries
Changes to catchment area boundaries will also play a significant role in the new admission arrangements. The boundaries for Longhill High School, Dorothy Stringer, and Varndean schools will be amended to better reflect the current distribution of students and ensure efficient resource allocation.
Specific Boundary Changes:
- The BN2 5 north area, above Manor Way and Manor Hill, will be incorporated into the Varndean/Dorothy Stringer catchment area.
- The BN2 1 and BN2 5 (south) Kemptown area will be moved into the Longhill High catchment area.
These modifications aim to create more balanced catchment areas, reducing overcrowding and ensuring that students have access to schools closer to their homes.
Sibling Link Continuity
To alleviate concerns for families affected by these changes, the council has confirmed that a sibling link will be maintained. This means that if one child is already attending a school, their siblings will have priority for admission, even if the catchment area boundaries change.
The Consultation Process and Community Feedback
The approved changes are the result of an extensive consultation process, which included online surveys and community events. The council actively sought feedback from various stakeholders, including pupils, parents, school staff, and governors.
Key Feedback Themes:
- Strong support for addressing inequalities and improving access to education.
- Concerns about the impact of falling pupil numbers on school resources.
- Desire for greater transparency and clarity in the admission process.
The council has emphasized that the feedback received played a crucial role in shaping the final version of the new admission arrangements.
Looking Ahead: Future Developments
The council is committed to ongoing improvement and collaboration within the city’s education system. Future initiatives will include:
- Exploring opportunities for greater collaboration between schools, including the formation of federations.
- Conducting a call for evidence on the medium- and longer-term strategy for the city’s education system.
These efforts aim to build on the momentum generated by the school admission changes and ensure that Brighton & Hove’s education system continues to evolve and meet the needs of its students.
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