An independent girls school has announced plans to close a junior school it started running two years ago.

Roedean School, which has 400 pupils aged 11 to 18, is proposing to close the former St Mary’s Hall junior school in Eastern Road, Brighton, from July 2011.

The junior school currently has 38 pupils in the nursery and foundation stage and 22 pupils in the prep school, many of whom will move from Year 6 to Year 7 at Roedean School in Roedean Way, Brighton, in September 2011.

In February 2009, Roedean launched a rescue bid to take over St Mary’s Hall, which faced closure due to a decline in student numbers.

While many girls from St Mary’s Hall transferred to Roedean senior school, it also continued to run the lossmaking junior school.

Bosses said supporting the junior school and settling St Mary’s Hall liabilities has amounted to more than £3 million.

A statement from the school said: “Members of the Roedean Council have met and considered all the options for the junior school.

“They have unanimously decided that because there are already a number of good independent preparatory schools in East Sussex, Roedean should focus its resources on continuing to provide a world-class education for senior girls, which was the vision of the founders when they established the school 125 years ago.”

Roedean will continue to run the junior school until the end of the summer term and will work with parents to advise them on alternative options at other local schools.

Staff from St Aubyns, the independent preparatory school in High Street, Rottingdean, will meet families during the next few days.

Richard Cairns, Brighton College headmaster, said: “News of a proposed school closure always makes me desperately sad for the staff, parents and pupils involved.

“It feels especially poignant when it involves your neighbouring school and friend for over 100 years. We will be looking to assist all those involved in any way possible.”

Chris Wheeler, headmaster of St Christopher’s School in New Church Road, Hove, said: “In light of the sad announcement of the closure of Roedean Junior, St Christopher’s School will do all it can to help parents make a seamless transfer to another school.”