No decisions have been made. When decisions are made, they will take full account of the feedback given through the consultation process. Everybody who is potentially affected by the proposed changes is encouraged to respond to the consultation through our online survey.
The council is due to consider proposed changes to eight schools in Portsmouth that provide infant, junior and primary education. Most of the schools are in Southsea and one is in Fratton.
Have your say
The consultation is open until Tuesday 1 December: take the online survey.
If agreed, the changes would take effect from September 2028.
Proposed changes
The proposals are to:
- merge Southsea Infant School and Craneswater Junior School into a two-form primary school with admissions numbers meaning it would eventually be located on the Craneswater site only - the changes would take place gradually and the Southsea Infants building would be used for other council services for families
- change both Bramble Infant School and Cumberland Infant School to one-form primary schools which means that children starting at these schools from Sept 2028 would stay there until secondary school
- reduce pupil numbers at Fernhurst Junior School to 60 per year, which matches year numbers at Devonshire Infant School, meaning that pupils will have a clear school journey across the two schools and would not need to reapply to junior school
- reduce pupil numbers at Wimborne Primary school to 60 per year, and to no longer admit an additional 20 children into Year 3 - this change, alongside other proposed changes at local schools, would improve transition between Years 2 and 3, and release classroom spaces
- change Manor Infant School in Fratton from a three-form infant school to a one-form primary school which means that children joining in September 2028 would stay there until secondary school
The proposals went to the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education on Tuesday 20 October and the cabinet member agreed to launch a consultation on the proposed changes on Wednesday 21 October. We have written to all interested parties, including parents and carers of children, staff, and governors at the schools to inform them of the consultation.
We are also looking to create extra inclusion provision at Penbridge Junior School, St Paul's Catholic Primary School, and Cottage Grove Primary School.
Why are these changes proposed?
Portsmouth currently has more primary school places than are needed in some parts of the city. This reflects national trends and creates an opportunity to plan and make sure schools remain strong, sustainable and able to provide the best possible education for children in the future.
The proposed changes would help create clearer education journeys for children, make the best use of school buildings and resources, and support the long-term sustainability of schools. The plans also include additional provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping more children access support closer to home.
This approach will help ensure Portsmouth continues to have the right school places in the right locations for future generations.
Frequently asked questions
Can my views really influence the consultation?
Will my child have to move school?
No. These changes, if agreed, would mean that no child at an Infant School would have to move school earlier than they were expecting i.e. at the end of year 2, when they will apply for places through the Junior Transfer process
How will the changes affect the options for parents with children currently in Reception and Year 1 at Bramble, Cumberland, Devonshire and Southsea at the end of Year 2?
If agreed, parents with children in these year groups will still be able to apply to the new Craneswater/Southsea primary school, or Fernhurst Junior. Parents at Bramble and Cumberland would also have the option of applying for the 30 new places at these new primary schools. Pupil numbers at the new Craneswater/Southsea primary school in Key Stage 2 would be reduced gradually, ensuring that there will be sufficient places for all pupils to remain in local schools.
How will the changes affect the options for parents with children joining Reception at Bramble, Cumberland, Devonshire or Southsea in September 2027?
These children will be affected in the same way as children already in Year 1 or Reception i.e. they will be able to apply to the new Craneswater/Southsea primary school, or Fernhurst Junior as now. Parents at Bramble and Cumberland would also have the option of applying for the 30 new places at these schools.
How will the changes affect options for parents with children in Year 1 or Year R at Wimborne Primary School, or joining Reception at Wimborne in September 2027?
These children would remain at Wimborne until Year 6 as now.
I'm concerned that the Infant School buildings will not be suitable for older children.
If the proposals are agreed we will work with the schools to ensure that the buildings are suitable for the needs of the children, for example by creating an additional classroom where required, adapting toilets, and looking at the design and use of the outdoor spaces.
How will the changes be introduced?
The changes, if agreed, would be phased in gradually from September 2028. So, for example, where we are consulting on changing infant schools into primary schools, in September 2028 30 children would be admitted into Reception, and 30 children would go from Year 2 to Year 3, with other Year 2 children moving to local Junior schools as happens now. The following Year there would be a class of 30 in Year 3 and Year 4, with the school gradually growing to become a primary school with all age groups.
Similarly, where we are proposing that admissions numbers are reduced, these changes will be phased in over time, with all currently pupils remaining in school until they reach the end of Year 6.
Can we have more details about the staffing, governance, and finance arrangements where significant changes are being proposed to schools? How would staff be supported through the transition?
The current consultation seeks views on the principles of making changes. Should some or all of the proposed changes be agreed, the council will work with the governing bodies and school leadership teams of each school on the detailed plans, which will be shared with staff and parents as they are developed.
Why are you mainly proposing changes in Southsea? Are the changes in birth rate only affecting this part of the city?
The fall in birth rate is affecting all parts of the city. Elsewhere in Portsmouth action has already been taken by the council and by Academy Trusts to remove surplus places and improve transition by reducing the admissions numbers of schools and amalgamating separate infant and junior schools into primary schools.
What happens if pupil numbers rise again in future?
We are expecting pupil numbers to continue to fall over the next five years. However, if numbers were to increase in future, then schools' published admission numbers could be increased again.
The council is not planning to dispose of any school buildings, and therefore if further places were required in future there would be the option to bring the Southsea building back into use as a school.
What are the plans for the Southsea Infant school building?
No decision has been taken on how the Southsea Infant School building would be used should these proposals go ahead, beyond that it will be kept as part of the estate to be used for other council services for families. The Southsea Infant School building is unlikely to be fully available for alternative use before 2031.