Council propose primary school change

Proposed changes to Chichester’s primary school catchment areas have been put forward.

According to West Sussex County Council there are some shared catchment areas in and around the city which are historical and ‘do not reflect the current or future needs within the area’.

The proposed changes would see boundaries set along roads, railway and canal routes where possible to make it easier for parents to understand what catchment their homes lie within.

The first proposal is to separate the shared catchment area of Parklands Community Primary School and Fishbourne CE Primary (Controlled) School.

The area from the Tesco roundabout up to the railway line where it meets the A27 would move to Fishbourne, while the area north of the A27 wouldremainwithParklands.

Following Rumboldswhyke’s conversion to an academy it no longer intends to have a catchment area. Part of this between the A27 and Florence Road would be moved to Portfield Primary Academy.

Properties between Whyke Lane and Florence Road would become part of Kingsham Primary School’s catchment.

The last proposal would see a change to the shared catchment area between Lancastrian Infant School and Kingsham. Stockbridge would be split between the two either side of the A286. The area south of this would incorporateBirdhamPrimary School’s catchment, with part of Kingsham’s catchment south of the A27 transferring to North Mundham Primary School.

A county council consultation on the changes, along with admission numbers and arrangements for all schools is currently underway.

Nigel Jupp, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “We welcome people’s views on our proposed admissions arrangements from September 2022, so I would encourage anyone with school-age children or with an interest in education to take part.”

The consultation closes on Thursday, January 21. Visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/ schooladmissions2022-2023 Ifyouhaveanyqueriesrelating to this consultation or would like to request a copy of the consultation in an alternative format email admissions. south@westsussex.gov.uk or telephone 03330 142903.

If you are deaf or have difficulty hearing you can contact the council by NGT text relay on 18001 03330142903, providing you have this app downloaded on your PC, laptop or smartphone.

Local voluntary aided or foundation school and academies will also be consulting if they are proposing changes to their admission arrangements.