West Sussex County Council has taken the decision to close Twineham CE Primary School near Haywards Heath in order to secure the sustainability of primary education in the area.
Demand for places at the 105-capacity school has fallen over time, leading to concerns about the viability of the school.
Declining pupil numbers puts significant pressures on a school’s ability to plan ahead and secure funding. This impacts its ability to deliver good outcomes for its pupils.
The decision to close the school has been made alongside the local diocese and follows two public consultations. Alternative options to keep the school open were explored. However, options such as academisation or amalgamation with another school were not found to be practical solutions in this case.
The decision, which is subject to a seven working day call-in period, means Twineham CE Primary School will close on 31 August 2026. The council will continue to work with families to secure appropriate alternative school places. This will include tailored support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities and advice on eligibility for free home‑to‑school transport where required.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “The decision to close Twineham CE Primary School has been taken with great care and with pupils’ long‑term interests at heart. I do however understand how difficult and upsetting it may be for families, staff and the local community.
"We explored every realistic option to keep the school open, but the sustained reduction in pupil numbers meant the school could no longer operate in a way that would provide children with the breadth of experience, stability and resources they deserve.
“I would like to thank the school community for the engagement throughout the consultation process. I took all of the consultation responses into consideration as part of my decision making process. Our focus now is on supporting pupils and families through a smooth transition to alternative schools with minimal disruption, and continuing to ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
Full details of the decision can be found on the council’s website.
