Today, after what feels like a lifetime of campaigning, we are relieved..

After reviewing all objections, the Schools Adjudicator has published his final decision on school admissions. He sided with objectors on one key point - stopping the planned reduction of places (PAN) at Blatchington Mill and Dorothy Stringer schools.

However, he rejected the majority of all other objections, ruling that the council's new catchment changes and open admissions, the very things we campaigned for, are lawful, fair, and non-discriminatory.

Our goal was to create a more socially and economically mixed school system in Brighton & Hove - and in the process, give more choice and chances to children living in families living in poverty or on a low income. We always thought that changing our city’s catchment and admissions policies was a legitimate way to do this, and the Schools Adjudicator has now confirmed it is. 

Beth, longstanding Class Divide campaigner

A Democratic Process That Finally Listened

But, perhaps even more importantly, the adjudicator's decision is the endpoint in a democratic process that too often excludes and works against, not for, people from backgrounds like ours. But this time - this time - it is the end of a process that shows what can happen when communities come together in common cause to challenge a system that perpetuates inequality and injustice.  

Our working-class families - of all ethnicities - want their children to succeed in education and build lives that are productive, happy, and meaningful. We know that creating conditions to maximise the chance this happens will not only benefit those individual children and families but also our whole city. 

That’s a powerful statement, and the fact that we can make it is a testament to the grassroots nature of our campaign and the hard graft and effort our members have put in over the last six years arranging and attending meetings, getting names on petitions, delivering leaflets, making speeches and deputations to council, saying their truth on a podcast, spreading the word amongst friends and neighbours, engaging in consultation processes, speaking to people in power.  

Don’t forget. The burden of acute and chronic financial stress bears heavily on those in the Class Divide community, so committing whatever time and energy is left to this cause is proof of how important it is for them. 

Leadership in Action

This significant step towards a fairer system would never have been possible without courageous political leadership. We’re not affiliated with any political party, but it’s really important to highlight how rare it is to see politicians willing to take a political risk for the sake of social justice and equity. 

But here in Brighton and Hove, with the Labour-led majority council, we found politicians who listened and were willing to put principles above political expediency and popularity. 

This is something as a society, we say we want. Whatever your view on the changes to admissions and catchments, we hope this is something we can all support. We ask others seeking power to learn from their example. 

Finally, we hope communities in other places will see what can be achieved and take on the challenge in their neighbourhoods. Leadership looks different than what you might think. Leadership looks and sounds like you. 

Looking Forward Together

We recognise that today's ruling, upholding the changes, will cause disappointment for some in our city, and we’ve always respected everyone's right to appeal the council’s decision.

That process is now over. The adjudicator's decision is binding, giving families certainty for the 2026 admissions process. This certainty allows us to move forward, together, as a city. Our focus now needs to shift to unity. It’s time for all of us to embrace the fact that we have a school system that has fairness and equity at its core. 

Class Divide will continue our work on school travel, and we look forward to contributing to the recently announced Inequality Review.