Falling pupil numbers at a Hove secondary school could see it close one of its two campuses in a couple of years.
Brighton and Hove City Council has launched a consultation on plans to consolidate Hove Park School onto a single site at Nevill Campus from September 2028.
The school has reduced the number of pupils it takes from 300 to 180 in recent years.
This would mean its second site, Valley Campus, would close and could be sold by the council.
The online consultation will be open until 25 May 2026, and a series of meetings is also being held:
- Thursday 23 April 2026 – 9am at Hove Park School, Valley Campus, Hove, BN3 8AD
- Monday 27 April 2026 – 9am at Hove Park School, Nevill Campus, Hove, BN3 7BN
- Wednesday 6 May 2026 – 4pm (online)
An initial consultation on the proposal was carried out last year between 22 April and 3 June 2025. That consultation received 169 responses: 60% of respondents were opposed to the proposal, 22% were unsure and 18% were in support.
A recurring theme in the feedback was a concern about the absence of preliminary drawings and design plans for the Nevill Road works, which made it difficult for respondents to assess the full implications of the proposals.
In response to this feedback, the council commissioned architectural designs for the Nevill Road Campus ahead of re-consulting so the community can engage with a clearer picture of what the consolidated school would look like.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “We’re seeking feedback on these proposals which aim to address falling pupil numbers at Hove Park School, as reflected in its recent pupil admissions number reduction from September 2026.
“This is a really exciting opportunity for us to improve operational efficiency at Hove Park School while maintaining its distinctive culture and ethos and protecting educational quality for its pupils.
“We want to hear from parents and carers, students, school staff and governors and local residents about these proposals to ensure any final plans reflect the needs of Hove Park School’s community.”
After the public consultation, the responses will be analysed and a decision will be made whether to proceed with the publication of a statutory notice proposing closure of Valley Campus.
This would then be followed by a four-week representation period from Monday 8 June to Monday 6 July, during which further feedback about the proposal can be made.
Cabinet will then meet on Thursday, 16 July to decide whether to go ahead with the proposal and to agree plans plans for the disposal of Valley Campus.
This decision is subject to planning permission as some building work would be required to create additional classrooms and facilities to accommodate the school’s pupils safely.
What are Brighton and Hove Councils going to do with all the money raised from selling off all this prime Land !!!
Middle Street Primary school will close it’s doors for the last time and wave it’s devoted children ,Parents and Staff goodbye on the last day of the Summer Term,2026.
Why the lack of child numbers quoted every time ? Falling rolls must have a great deal to do with council Policies………tell us the truth please !
Lack of children, or declining birth rate, is the main driver, city-wide. And it’s seen not just nationally, but globally. Weirdly, and I thought it was more of a economical reason, research shows it’s more of a social trend to not have children, or to have them much later.
What a great site for affordable housing this could be! Doubt it though be no affordable housing in this development like most current sites around the city!
My old school. Another victim of the council.
Another victim of the global birth rate decline, Al.
If there is a decline in pupil numbers it makes sense to close down the site. I’m hoping it becomes a Lidl as the hangleton/Portslade area needs one. Additionally a leisure centre would be valuable as there will already be some sports facilities on site.