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Consultation

Consultation on a proposed expansion of Brantridge School

By Gemma - February 24th, 2026 | Posted in Article

Update 19 March: Please note the consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

Brantridge School is a special school that currently meets the needs of 80 boys aged 5 to 11 (Year 1 to Year 6) with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorder. The school is part of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (the Trust), a specialist multi academy trust.

In recent years, the Trust has worked closely with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and the Department for Education to consider how provision at Brantridge School could best respond to changing patterns of local need. This work previously included consideration of developing a co-educational secondary provision on the school site, and consultation was undertaken at that time. However, as has been previously communicated, WSCC confirmed that it would not be progressing the development of secondary provision at Brantridge School.

Current discussions with the local authority are now focused solely on addressing demand within the primary phase. WSCC has identified a continued and increasing need for specialist primary SEMH provision. In response, the Trust is proposing to expand primary capacity at Brantridge School.

The proposal

The proposal would enable up to 96 primary places for boys to be delivered, subject to the reconfiguration and refurbishment of an existing building on the site.

As Brantridge School is an academy, the proposed changes would require approval from the Department for Education (DfE). A Significant Change Business Case will therefore be submitted to seek approval on the proposal to amend the School’s Funding Agreement to 96 primary planned places for boys.

The consultation process

A consultation will be undertaken to gather the views of families, staff and other interested parties, in order to inform the DfE’s decision making. The consultation period on this proposal will run from Tuesday 24th February to Wednesday 18th March 2026. During this time, we invite you to share your views in the following ways:

  • A public meeting where you can meet the Trust and school leaders and ask questions, will be held at Brantridge School on Tuesday 10th March at the following times: 9.30-11.00am and 3.30-5.00pm.
  • A virtual public meeting will be held between 12.00-1.00pm on Tuesday 10th March. Please confirm in writing to schooloffice@brantridge-school.co.uk if you wish to attend, so that a link to the meeting can be forwarded to you.

Comments on the proposal to be submitted in one of the following ways:

Our families and wider school community are at the heart of what we do and we want to be sure that this proposal is right, not only for Brantridge School but for the local community.

Please note the consultation closed on Wednesday 18 March 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions have been prepared and added to the Consultation information page.

If you have any questions please contact the school, Brantridge School, Staplefield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6EQ or email schooloffice@brantridge-school.co.uk or call 01444 400 228.