Former Portslade school site could be used as base for social workers

A former school and sixth form centre could become a base for children’s social workers, writes local democracy reporter Sarah Booker-Lewis.
Former Portslade Sixth Form when it was occupied by Kings SchoolFormer Portslade Sixth Form when it was occupied by Kings School
Former Portslade Sixth Form when it was occupied by Kings School

The site at the corner of Mile Oak Road and High Street, Portslade, was vacated when the King’s School moved to Hangleton Way, in Hove, last year.

It previously housed sixth formers from the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) and was once home to Windlesham House prep school.

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But now Brighton and Hove City Council hopes to use the site for “social work pods” for staff in its children’s services team.

A six-week consultation started last week because the council needs permission from Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for its proposals.

These include changing the use of the site and taking the nearby playing fields out of school use.

Labour councillor John Allcock, who chairs the council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee, said: “That doesn’t mean taking them out of use as a playing field. It means taking them out of school use.”

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At Hove Town Hall last Monday (January 13) Councillor Allcock told the committee that the council would consult a wide variety of stakeholders to see if there was any further education need for the site.

He said that he would share the results at the committee’s next meeting which is scheduled to take place on Monday 2 March.

A public meeting about the council’s plans is due to be held at Portslade Town Hall on Thursday January 23.

To take part in the consultation, go to consultations.brighton-hove.gov.uk.