OFFICIALS have refused the application by STEP Academy Trust following its merging of two schools in Hailsham.
In a recent meeting, the Department for Education (DfE) Regional Director, alongside the South East Advisory Board, declined the trust’s amalgamation of Burfield and Phoenix schools in the town.
The Trust has said it will continue to work with East Sussex County Council’s Planning Committee and will resubmit another application to be considered.
In a letter to parents, Executive Director of Primary Education at STEP Academy Trust said: “As the amalgamation process does not allow for a pause when clarification is sought, the original application was declined. However, STEP is following the recommendation of the Board to engage again with ESCC’s planning department. Thereafter, it will be necessary to resubmit an application so that the DfE can move this matter forwards.”
East Sussex County Councillor, Gerard Fox said: “I’ve worked with residents in Sandbanks, Oaklands and Ingrams Way and engaged with many concerned parents on this issue now for two years. I’ve been grateful for the support of Cllr Standley, the Cabinet Member for Education, in seeking to resolve these problems in the best interests of our residents, parents and school children. I’m relieved to see common sense prevail. However, the Trust’s response in saying that they will bring the merger application back seems a bit tone deaf.“
Councillor Bob Standley, Cabinet Lead Member for Education at East Sussex County Council said: “I have noted and welcomed the decision of the Advisory Board to decline the proposed merger of Phoenix and Burfield Academies. The County Council did not support the proposal.”
Two hundred pupils were moved out of the troubled academy in Oaklands Way in 2023 due to safety fears and a ‘major programme of intrusive works’ was to take place during the summer holidays. The pupils were sent to Phoenix Academy instead and never returned to Burfield.
Then, in March this year, the Academies’ application to East Sussex County Council to withdraw the planning condition of supplying a ‘kiss and drop’ area for parents, as it says the current area is unsafe for children, was refused by councillors.
The school located in Oaklands Way in Hailsham was taken over by the STEP Academy in 2017 and was commissioned by East Sussex County Council the year before.
