Pupil numbers for Reception classes in Portishead are declining and recent figures from North Somerset Council demonstrate a more long term decline of pupil numbers within the Lighthouse Schools Partnership Portishead primaries. The spaces predicted in reception classes in Portishead are: 35 in September 2022, 83 in September 2023, 81 in September 2024 and 81 in September 2025. The Trust expects the greatest proportion of these vacant spaces to be at High Down as the school is furthest from the largest population of housing in the town.

Headteacher Andreya Cowan said: “Maintaining high standards of education at High Down is paramount. Our governing body is being proactive to manage the reduced demand for places which would have a negative impact on the school’s finances.

“As the majority of school funding comes from the number of children in the school, having large numbers of spaces would quickly reduce the budget and make it impossible to provide high quality education for the children on roll. We are very proud of our school, and the education we provide to our children, however decisions such as this should be considered if they are in the best interest of the whole school community.”

This decision has been made following detailed analysis of the projected local demographics and should there be an increase in demand for place in the future then High Down School will consider a breach of their PAN to welcome extra children. High Down has a clear track record of supporting children in Portishead and has breached twice to take additional classes.

Gary Lewis, Chief Executive of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, explains: “As we are facing another period of financial pressures it is very important that schools are able to run cost effectively so that we can spend our funding for the benefit of the pupils. Our schools have always co-operated fully with North Somerset Council to ensure that there are enough local school places for our communities and we will be ready to increase the Planned Admissions Number immediately if the forecasts show the need for an additional class in Portishead.”

Comments and feedback on this proposal are most welcome. They can be submitted by post in writing to: Lighthouse Schools Partnership, St Mary’s Road, Portishead, North Somerset, BS20 7QR or emailing: enquiries@lsp.org.uk    

Please include ‘Admissions Consultation’ in the email subject. The full admission consultation can be found here on the LSP and High Down Schools websites https://highdownschools.co.uk/

For further information, or to ask any questions, please contact Clare Giordmaine, Communications Officer cgiordmaine@lsp.org.uk