The Diocese of Arundel & Brighton made the difficult decision to consult on the closure of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Brighton as a result of falling pupil numbers.

St Joseph’s has served the area of Hollingdean and the Catholic community in East Brighton with great dedication. Its origins date back to 1879, with the school at its present site in Davey Drive since 1956.

Sadly, despite the school’s Ofsted rating of ‘Good’ and a strong history of service to the local community, St Joseph’s has faced significant challenges in maintaining the enrolment levels needed to support the school’s financial sustainability.

Following the statutory period of consultation, Brighton & Hove City Council, as the decision maker on the school closure proposal, has announced that St Joseph’s will close on 31 August 2025. 

This news will be met with great sadness by all those connected to the school. The diocese and Local Authority will now focus every effort on supporting St Joseph’s pupils, their families, and the school’s teaching and support staff as they prepare to transition to new schools and roles in and around Brighton.