Plans for Haywards Heath school set to be scrapped

Tuesday, 30 December 2025 05:00

By Karen Dunn, Local Democracy Reporter @Karen_Dunn

Plans for a free primary school in Haywards Heath look set to be axed by the government.

The news about the proposed Hurst Farm school, which was expected to have space for 420 children, was shared during a meeting of West Sussex County Council on Friday (December 12).

It was one of 28 proposed mainstream projects nationwide which are expected to be cancelled by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, more than a year after the Department for Education’s free school programme was paused for a review.

Jacquie Russell, cabinet member for children, young people & learning, said West Sussex had been ‘caught up’ in that review.
The council had put in bids for a SEND facility in the south of the county, alternative provision in the north and a mainstream primary in the north – Hurst Farm.

In the council’s document ‘Planning School Places 2025’, it states: “The Department for Education/Education & Skills Funding Agency have agreed in principle to build a new free school at Hurst Farm which may in part cater for rising numbers in Wivelsfield and Fox Hill across the border in East Sussex.

“The housing development has received planning permission and work is being undertaken to timetable the build.”

Mrs Russell said the council had the option to accept some funding to go towards the SEND facility and alternative provision.

She added: “We know now that if we took that option, that is not likely to create two separate provisions. We would have to seek funds elsewhere.”

Alternatively, the authority could remain on the Department for Education’s project list – but nothing would happen until after 2030.

A decision on which option to take has to be made by the end of February.

Plans for Haywards Heath school set to be scrapped

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