TWO schools are set to be run by a single governing body.

As of September 10, West Hove Infant School and Hove Junior School will be run by the Hove Learning Federation.

The schools are also working with Brighton and Hove City Council over the proposed relocating of the infant schools Connaught Road site onto the junior school’s Holland Road site.

According to the council, both schools believe the move would improve the learning experience for pupils and help maximise long-term financial viability.

The move is also in part a response to a forecast reduction in primary age pupil numbers across the city over the coming years.

Councillors will consider a report in September making a recommendation to undertake a full public consultation on the proposed site move.

In a joint statement by the chairs of governors at the schools, Julia Wolage, Louise Wilkinson and Lisa Marshall said the move would enable the schools to provide a continuous learning provision from reception through to year 6.

The chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, councillor Hannah Clare, said both schools have a long history of working closely together.

“We are also acutely aware of falling pupil numbers across the city, and the need to plan strategically for the future to ensure the viability of all our schools,” she said.

"We all agreed that we wanted parents to be aware of this plan before the end of term. We are also mindful that it’s something that would affect families who will be going through the school admissions process for September 2022.”

It is anticipated that an in-principle decision would be made by the committee in November after considering the feedback from the consultation.

If the site move proposal receives final approval, the move would likely happen early next year.