New all-through Burgess Hill free school proposed

A four-week public consultation is to be held into plans to open an all-through free school in Burgess Hill.
By Karen Dunn, local democracy reporter
Published 14th Jun 2021, 17:15 BST
School classroom (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)School classroom (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
School classroom (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

With some 5,000 homes expected to be built in and around the town by 2031, the need for more schools is high on the local ‘to do’ list.

If all goes as planned, the free school will be situated on two sites within the 3,250-home Northern Arc development, which is being built to the north of the town.

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The consultation will be the first stage of a ‘competition process’ launched by West Sussex County Council in its search for a sponsor for the new school.

A report from Paul Wagstaff, director of education and skills, said the proposal was to build a two form of entry primary school with space for 420 children, and a six form of entry secondary school with space for 900 children.

The primary school will include pre-school for up to 50 youngsters and is expected to open in September 2023, with the secondary school – which could expand to eight forms of entry (1,200 children) – opening in September 2024.

Both phases of the school as currently proposed would include a Special Support Centre for some 16 pupils each with additional social and communication needs.

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