Class Divide celebrates historic win for educational equality in Brighton & Hove

Class Divide welcomes today's decision by Brighton & Hove Council to approve changes to school admissions policies, marking the most significant reform to our school admission system in nearly two decades and a landmark victory for families in historically disadvantaged communities across our city.

This outcome represents a genuine triumph not for our organisation, but for the countless community members who have tirelessly advocated for fairer access to education through years of campaigning. We particularly want to recognise the dedication of residents like Dave, Beth, Lewis, Katie, Evi, Jasmine, Stacey, Destiny, Shaz and many others who have attended meetings, delivered thousands of leaflets and zines in the cold and dark, spoken at hustings events, shared their personal stories, and remained steadfast in their belief that change was both necessary and possible.

Carlie Goldsmith, Class Divide's co-founder said "Whitehawk families now have more choice of secondary school for their children. It was the thing they wanted, and what our campaign members have worked hard to achieve. The process has revealed the passion there is for education in our city and we look forward to working with as many people as possible in the coming weeks, months and years to ensure Brighton & Hove is the best place to go to school if you are a child forced to live in poverty."

The approved changes, including a fixed 30% Free School Meals allocation and new 5% Open Admissions priority, represent a crucial first step toward creating a more equitable education system in our city. For the Whitehawk community, which has carried the lasting impact of the COMART school closure since 2005, catchment area changes that will see it added to the Dorothy Stringer and Varndean catchment will create new pathways to educational opportunity that have been denied for far too long.

With the decision now made, we believe it's vital for all members of our community to come together in ensuring these changes achieve their intended impact. The focus must now shift to practical matters such as robust, affordable transportation solutions and implementation strategies that will make these new options genuinely accessible to all families.

We extend an invitation to all parents and residents across Brighton & Hove, regardless of their previous position on these changes, to participate constructively in this next phase. The evidence is clear—when schools have a genuine mix of students from different backgrounds, everyone benefits. Academic results improve. Communities grow stronger. Our city becomes fairer.

Beth, whose persistent advocacy at council meetings helped highlight the deep inequalities in our current system, said: "The vote going through today is a step in the right direction for equality in our city. Our children should have the right to choose a school that is a good fit for them no matter the location. As a parent, I am finally starting to feel hopeful for my children's future. Being part of the campaign has been an honor, and I can't wait to see the other ways we can help our city."

Campaign member Danielle said “I feel proud to live in a city that prioritises equality in choice for our children's education. There is still a long way to go to level the playing field but I feel pleased that more children will have access to choice of schools. Choice should be for all, not just the lucky few.”

This decision represents a powerful example of local democracy responding to the needs of all citizens, particularly those whose concerns have too often gone unheard. While we had advocated for a higher percentage for Open Admissions, establishing this principle in our admission system is significant—for the first time, families in single school catchment areas will have a real chance to access schools beyond their immediate neighbourhood.

We look forward to continuing our work with the council, schools, and families throughout the implementation process, with the goal of expanding these opportunities in the coming years.