St Joseph's Closure

April 2026 update

We recognise that the decision to close the academy by mutual agreement has been a difficult and emotional one for families, staff, and the wider community. We want to be open and transparent about how this decision was reached, the process that was followed, how views and concerns were heard and considered, and what will happen next to support pupils and families.

This update explains:

  • How parents and other stakeholders were informed and involved
  • How feedback was gathered during the listening period
  • What was raised and how we considered those views
  • Next steps for the pupils, staff and building


Process followed

The Trust followed the Department for Education guidance (including the requirements set out for the listening period):
Closure of an Academy by Mutual Agreement

Key steps included:

  • 23 February 2026: Trade unions were informed that the process for closing the school would be taking place.
  • 3 March 2026:
    • Redundancy consultation information was shared with affected staff.
    • Parents were informed of the planned closure via email.
  • 4 March 2026: Wider stakeholders were informed, including council members, the local MP, and local headteachers.
  • Final confirmation of the closure was sent to us on 20 March 2026. North East Lincolnshire Council colleagues were also aware of the planned closure.
  • A dedicated website was established in line with Annex A: Listening Period (page 17) of the guidance, so parents and stakeholders could access information in one place.

The formal listening period ran from 3 March to 31 March 2026. The Trust confirms that all required procedures were followed from initial communication through to the conclusion of the listening period.


How we communicated with parents and stakeholders

We aimed to ensure parents were kept informed clearly, consistently and at key points throughout the process. Information about the proposed closure was shared with parents, staff, governors, the Diocese and the wider community.

Communications included:

  • Regular updates via the school website
  • Letters issued to staff, parents, and stakeholders
  • FAQs and responses published on the website
  • A headteacher briefing for Trust school leaders on 5 March 2026
  • Ongoing discussions between the Department for Education (DfE), Diocese and the local authority over the past 12 months

Stakeholders were informed in line with the published timeline so that families could plan next steps with as much clarity and certainty as possible.


Engagement and opportunities to ask questions

Recognising that parents needed space to ask questions and discuss what the closure would mean for their children, we provided structured opportunities for engagement:

  • 12 March 2026: Two formal parent meetings were held, at 9am and 4pm
  • Representatives from the local authority attended both meetings to help parents understand admissions, school preferences and transition arrangements

Alongside parent engagement, the Trust also met with key external partners, including the DfE, local authority and the Diocese, to support joined‑up planning and communication.


Feedback received during the Listening Period

A total of 27 submissions were received through the dedicated listening period channel:

  • 6 from parents and carers
  • 3 from staff
  • 18 from other stakeholders
  • No submissions were received from students

Parents and stakeholders raised several important themes, including:

  • The sadness and emotional impact of the closure on families and the wider community
  • Areas identified regarding Trust oversight
  • Worries about the future of Catholic education in the local area
  • Strong recognition of the school’s strengths, history and legacy

Every submission was acknowledged and shared in full with the Department for Education.


Outcome of the Trust’s consideration

After careful review of all feedback received, the Trust has confirmed that:

  • The views shared did not result in any change to the timeline or plans for closure
  • All feedback was formally recorded and submitted to the DfE as part of the process

The Trust recognises and respects the strength of feeling expressed by parents and the community.


Local Authority and Diocesan updates

Planning continues to support pupils and families through the transition:

  • The Trust and local authority have agreed school destinations for all remaining pupils at the point of closure.
  • Of 56 pupils on roll when the closure was announced, 20 pupils will remain at the school after the Easter break, including 8 Y6 pupils who have secured their secondary school places.
  • The local authority is planning for September 2026 admissions and is working alongside the Trust and school to ensure parents receive clear and consistent information, including families who named the school as a preference.
  • Working in close partnership, the DfE, North East Lincs Local Authority, the Trust and the Diocese are committed to ensuring the school building and land are put to a positive and appropriate future use.

We will continue to provide updates as and when they are available.

Closure information archive

It is with great sadness that we update you on the future of St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Cleethorpes. 

After a period of discussion between the Department for Education (DfE), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (OLoL CMAT) and the Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service (NRCDES), the Minister of State for Schools, Georgina Gould, has approved a substantive decision to formally close St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School on 31 July 2026. This decision has been approved in line with the Department for Education’s Closure of an academy by mutual agreement.

The decision to close has not been taken lightly. We recognise how difficult and distressing this news will be for pupils, families, staff and the wider parish community and we remain committed to supporting every child and family with care, transparency and compassion

This webpage explains why closure is happening, what the process looks like and how you and your child will be supported at every stage.

Why is the school closing?

The decision follows national guideline:

Department for Education (Closure of an academy by mutual agreement)

Schools may be considered for closure when pupil numbers fall well below capacity and there is no realistic prospect of recovery, making the school financially and educationally unsustainable.

We are currently planning for the school to close on 31 July 2026, at the end of this academic year.

The Trust will continue to work closely with the DfE and the Local Authority (LA) to ensure that pupils’ welfare and education remain at the heart of every decision.

Falling pupil numbers at St Joseph’s

With only 56 pupils on roll, significantly below its capacity of 210 places, the school is operating at 27% of its capacity. This creates major challenges in:

  • Funding essential staffing
  • Providing specialist provision and SEND support
  • Maintaining a broad and balanced curriculum
  • Structuring classes to support progression and social development
  • Offering enrichment opportunities and age‑appropriate peer groups

Despite the exceptional efforts of staff, the continued decline is now directly affecting pupils’ educational experience.

Pupil numbers have fallen significantly over several years:

  • 2021–22: 163 pupils
  • 2022–23: 139 pupils
  • 2023–24: 112 pupils
  • September 2024: 90 pupils
  • September 2025: 59 pupils
  • March 2026: 56 pupils

A full breakdown by year group and Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)/Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) category can be provided on request.

Educational impact of falling numbers

This significant decline has made it increasingly difficult to provide the full and rich educational experience that children deserve. Smaller year groups and limited peer interaction affect both learning and social development, despite the hard work and commitment of staff.

Financial viability

Because school funding is directly linked to pupil numbers, the drop in pupil numbers has also created substantial financial pressures. The school can no longer sustain the staffing, resources, and facilities needed to operate effectively. This limits our ability to maintain a broad curriculum, invest in improvements, and plan confidently for the future. 

Why are numbers so low?

Local challenges reflect a wider national trend of declining birth rates. Factors include:

  • Economic pressures affecting family decisions
  • Changing lifestyles, with more families choosing to have fewer children
  • Housing costs, making the area less accessible to young families

Additionally, there is sufficient capacity in other local schools, providing families with alternative choices.

What does Government guidance say?

The Department for Education (DfE) states that closure may be appropriate where:

  • Pupil numbers are very low and unlikely to recover.
  • There are enough places in nearby schools.
  • Continuing to operate compromises educational quality or financial viability.

Academy Trusts must show that all other options (such as reducing admission numbers, merging with another school or reconfiguring the site) have been explored.

What stage are we at now?

Following detailed discussions between the Trust and the Department for Education (DfE), the Secretary of State for Education has issued a substantive decision to close the school.

We are now entering a formal ‘Listening Period’. This is an opportunity for the OLoL CMAT to share with you the rationale for closing and plans to support the transition of pupils to schools in the local area. It is designed to ensure that everyone affected by the proposal can share their views, ask questions and suggest alternatives. 

There will also be an opportunity for you to share your views on the closure with us. However, this will not affect the decision made by the Minister of State for Schools.

How to participate in the Listening Period:  

We will hold two parents’ meetings on 12th March 2026 at which OLoL CMAT staff and Local Authority Admissions representatives will be present to support the transition process to a new school.

  • Thursday 12th March 9:00am
  • Thursday 12th March 4:00pm

You can also contact the Local Authority directly:

School Admissions Team
New Oxford House, George Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HB
Email: schooladmissions@nelincs.gov.uk
Telephone: 01472 326291 

Please complete the Trust’s survey here or submit additional written feedback via email.

What happens next?

1. Finding new school places

The Local Authority is legally required and has committed to supporting families in ensuring every child receives a suitable place. Parents will be able to express preferences through normal in‑year admissions processes.

2. Support for vulnerable pupils

Children with:

  • Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
  • Looked‑after status

will receive dedicated placement planning through statutory processes.

3. Staffing

We understand that this is a very difficult situation and not one that anyone would choose.

The closure will inevitably affect staff with some roles potentially being redeployed within our Trust where possible. Throughout the closure process, the Trust will provide guidance, explore redeployment opportunities and offer wellbeing support to help staff through the transition.

4. Pupil records and school property

  • All pupil records will be safely transferred to new schools.
  • School assets and site responsibilities will be managed according to legal requirements.

Travel considerations

Estimated walking times, car costs and bus fare summaries have been included to support families in assessing alternatives. These include:

  • Costs per one‑way and return journeys
  • Weekly and annual estimates
  • SEND‑specific and EHCP‑specific travel modelling
  • Local bus operator ticketing options (including dayrider group tickets)

A full table of distance and travel cost estimates is available on request from the school office.

Local capacity and alternatives

The Local Authority’s forecasting shows a continued decline in primary-aged populations, with surplus capacity rising to around 25% by 2026.

Several local schools are within walking distance of St Joseph’s, and travel times and transport costs have also been analysed.

Equality Impact Assessment

A full Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out, considering the effect on pupils, families, and staff across multiple protected characteristics. Key mitigations include:

  • Translation support for families with English as an additional language.
  • SEND‑specific transition planning.
  • Collaboration with the LA for children in care or those requiring EHCP placement.
  • Travel considerations for pregnant parents or those with mobility issues

Impact on the Catholic community

The closure of a Catholic school carries significant community implications, including:

  • Loss of a local faith‑based educational setting
  • Disruption to parish‑school links
  • Impact on families seeking Catholic formation

Mitigation includes:

  • Working with the Diocese and Catholic Education Service
  • Prioritising places at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Grimsby where possible
  • Providing chaplaincy and pastoral support during transition
  • Redeploying staff where possible within the Trust

Timeline

Survey opens: Tuesday 3 March 2026

Deadline for survey responses: Tuesday 31 March 2026

School closure date: 31 July 2026

Additional feedback email

If you would like any further information or would like to send some other feedback in addition to the survey, please email: cjoclosure@ololcatholicmat.co.uk

Q&A

Why have parents only been informed at this point, leaving a very short space of time to apply for school places?

The timeline for informing parents about the closure of the school was not in the control of the Trust.  The DfE provided very clear guidance in relation to when the information about the closure could be shared and the Trust were required to follow this guidance.  The Trust received notification of the closure on 13th February, which was the day before half term.  Parents were then informed as soon as practically possible following the half term break.

If I don’t receive my first choice school and am offered my second choice, can I decline that place and then reapply?

Yes.  You can decline a place which has been offered and then reapply.

Why didn’t the Trust market the school to increase pupil numbers?

The Trust worked with school leaders to market the school and increase pupil numbers. Marketing strategies included:

  • Open days
  • Leaflet drops
  • Banners displayed in the local area
  • Banners displayed at local churches
  • Google advertising
  • Leaflet drops
  • Working with the Polish community

Despite these marketing strategies, pupil numbers have not grown as hoped and have declined.

What are the reasons for the decline in pupil numbers?

Some reasons which we understand have resulted in the decline in pupil numbers are:

  • As a result of Brexit, many families returned to their countries of origin. A large number of these families were catholic families.
  • There has been a drop in birth rate locally.
  • There has been a drop of 800 primary aged pupils over the last two years in the locality.

How are places allocated at other schools?

All schools follow their admissions policies. Places are allocated using the following criteria:

  • Pupils who have an EHCP
  • Pupils who are looked after by the local authority
  • Pupils with a sibling at the school
  • Pupils living in the catchment area
  • Tie-breaker: distance from the school

I live in Lincolnshire but I want to apply for a school place in North East Lincolnshire, what should I do?

Apply separately for a school place in North East Lincolnshire and in Lincolnshire.

If I want my child to remain at St. Joseph’s until the end of the academic year, will the school remain open?

Yes, the school will remain open and staffed until the end of this academic year.

How do we speak to our children about the school closing without upsetting them?

It is best to answer any questions children have honestly and openly.  It is ok for them to understand that this is a sad time.

  • School have already used the following strategies:
  • An assembly was held to explain what was happening to the school
  • Chaplaincy team have provided support to pupils to enable them to understand change
  • Compass Go have provided workshops for children in relation to transition and change.

As a Trust, some schools are oversubscribed and some are undersubscribed, in the future, can the Trust ensure a more even distribution of pupils at schools?

The Trust cannot direct parents to send their children to a particular school as choice of school is parental preference.  However, where schools are close to each other, if one is oversubscribed and another isn’t, we would make parents aware of any available places in another Trust school. In this case, we have made parents aware of places which are available at St. Mary’s school in Grimsby.

Should I leave my child at St. Joseph’s for the remainder of the year, or move to another school now?

Applications are processed as they come in.  If a school place is allocated, then this place should be taken up within 6 weeks of the offer being made.

In order to ensure you have a place at your chosen school, then it would be advisable to take that place as soon as it is offered.

What will happen if all the staff leave before the end of the academic year?

All staff have to work their notice period.  If staff secured jobs elsewhere, this would be looked at on a case by case basis.  However the school will remain open and staffed until the end of the academic year.