St Peter’s Community Primary School closed by council

St Peter’s Community Primary School in Portslade, which is also a nursery, closed for the last time after Brighton and Hove City Council made the decision to close it in March.

Parents campaigned fervently against the move, with some protesting outside Hove Town Hall and a petition against the decision gaining thousands of signatures.

Kirsty Moore, who has two daughters aged five and seven at the school, said: “The council are crooks. It has affected our family massively.

“My youngest daughter has medical needs. Since she moved to her new school she has been bullied, she’s not eating at school.

Today, our wonderful INCLUSIVE school and nursery @SaveStpeters1 had its final farewell event. we can’t say we didn’t fight because damn we fought hard for this amazing school.
Here’s to unsuitable education going forward from here for my children. But it is what is is. 😭 pic.twitter.com/5KOf87m3FR

— Kirsty Moore (@KirstyMoore1008) July 16, 2024

“My oldest child has been crying every day since. It is emotionally damaging for both of them.

“I will not let the council live this down. They both thrived at St Peter’s. I don’t think the council understands how much they are damaging people.”

Emily Brewer, who also has two daughters at the school, aged three and five, said: “It has been so sad. It has been really upsetting for everyone and it just does not feel real.

“It is a really old school and is very much part of the community down here.

READ MORE: Closure of Dice board game lounge 'tragic loss' for Worthing

“I used to vote for Labour. I had a leaflet through my door saying we are going to keep schools open that resonated with me.

“Then, six months later, they backtracked that and pushed forward with the closure. They are driving families in the city away.

“I feel very angry and let down. The whole process is complete chaos. Education and children should be the number one priority for the council.”

The council took the decision to close the school due to declining pupil numbers.

St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School in Brighton, Ann Street, will also close in December.

St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School is also due to close under council plans (Image: Google Maps)

Brighton and Hove Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, said in a letter to parents: “I am writing on behalf of the council to express our appreciation of the work staff have undertaken at the school up to the end of this academic year.

“I have heard about the dedication and care with which you have supported the children and each other.

“This is not an easy letter to write or for you to receive in the context of the council’s decision to close the school and we are fully aware that for many staff, this means redundancy at the end of the term.

Councillor Jacob Taylor has thanked staff and parents ahead of the closure (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

“We also recognise that working at St Peter’s as we approach this closure time has been far from easy and that staff, children and their families will all have felt the impact of this.

“I thank you for the caring and professional way you have supported children moving on to their new schools, or where you have helped your Year 6 leavers enjoy the end of their time at St Peter’s.”