CITY chiefs are “committed” to making sure no schools will close despite a drop in pupil numbers.

A reduction in the number of children entering primary schools means Brighton and Hove City Council may be permanently reducing places at four schools.

But John Allcock, chairman of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, said changes would be made to ensure the future of the schools

He said: “We are committed to making sure none of our schools have to close.

“With primary age pupil numbers falling, reducing admissions numbers at some of our schools is the only way to avoid closures.

“We have been in close dialogue with all the schools affected, and I know they understand the issues facing the city as a whole.

“We believe the proposals are not just necessary, but also in the best long-term interests of the four schools affected.

“We appreciate the change could be challenging for the schools but we also recognise their success, as shown by all being rated good by Ofsted.”

Public meetings are being held for people wishing to give their views on the proposed changes to admissions numbers at the four primary age schools in Brighton and Hove.

The proposals are to permanently reduce the number of children being admitted to the following schools:

l Hangleton Primary School: 30 places

l Mile Oak Primary School: 30 places

l West Hove Infant School (Connaught Road site): 30 places

l There is also a proposal to reduce the intake of Hove Junior School’s Holland Road site from 128 to 90.

The Holland Road site is linked with the Connaught Road site for admissions purposes, so this would bring both in line with each other, the council said.

The proposed changes have been prompted by falling numbers of children needing primary school places now and in the coming years.

Demand for places is predicted to fall in future years at all four schools.

The public meetings are part of a consultation Brighton and Hove City Council is carrying out on school admissions.

This has to happen whenever changes to admissions are planned.

No other changes to the city’s school admissions system have been proposed.

The proposals gained cross party support when put forward at committee.

You can give your views via the council’s website if you cannot make it to the public meetings. The closing date for responses is January 6.

The meeting dates and times are:

l West Hove Infant School, Connaught Road, on Thursday November 28 from 5.30pm

l Mile Oak Primary School, Mile Oak Road, on Tuesday, December 3, from 5.45pm

l Hangleton Primary School, Dale View, Tuesday, December 10, 6pm

The children, young people and skills committee will consider a report on the admissions consultation at its meeting on January 13.

By law changes need to be agreed 18 months in advance, so the changes being consulted on would come into effect in September 2021.