Eastbourne schools to merge, council agrees

Plans to merge two Eastbourne schools have been give the go-ahead by East Sussex County Council.

Bob Standley, the council's lead member for education, agreed on Monday to plans to combine West Rise Community Infant School and West Rise Junior School.

As part of the proposals the council will also change the joint school's age range to two-11 years, allowing it to take on the management of West Rise Nursery.

The schools began sharing a head teacher in January, after the junior school received a 'requires improvement' rating from Ofsted in 2023.

According to council papers, the merger will not result in any employment changes for staff.

The report also notes how the change would mean families of children in Year 2 would no longer have to apply for a place in the junior school from Year 3.

As a result of the decision, West Rise Junior School will formally close, which the council describes as a technical closure, on 30 April.

The following day, West Rise Community Infant School will increase its current four-seven age range to two-11.

The school would likely change its name to West Rise Primary School, to reflect its amalgamation, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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