St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Closure
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 12 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 12 March at 9am
- Thursday 12 March at 4pm
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Some families have asked why the decision has come at this stage and whether acting earlier might have reduced the impact on pupils. Why was the decision not made sooner?
Over the past four years the Trust, have explored a range of options to sustain the school, including leadership support from experienced senior leaders, recruitment efforts and financial modelling. Unfortunately, despite these interventions, pupil numbers continued to fall, significantly affecting both the school’s budget and its ability to deliver a full and stable curriculum. These decisions must follow a statutory, evidence‑based process, which can take time. However, we recognise that some respondents feel an earlier decision could have reduced disruption.
What does closure mean for the future of Catholic provision in the area?
St Mary’s CVA in Grimsby remains the Trust’s Catholic primary school serving the region and Catholic families will always be prioritised during their admissions process. The Trust will continue to work closely with the Diocese of Nottingham, St Mary’s and local partners to ensure long‑term sustainability and to maintain a strong Catholic educational presence in North East Lincolnshire.
Why was the parish community not informed earlier about the seriousness of the situation?
We appreciate this concern. The Trust has been working in consultation with the Diocese of Nottingham, Department for Education and the Local Authority. Decisions of this nature must follow formal processes and require careful planning to ensure information is accurate, evidence‑based and compliant with statutory requirements and therefore could not discuss the decision to close earlier than announced. The route for closing an academy school is different to that of closing a Local Authority school and there is no consultation.
Some respondents questioned whether new housing developments might have increased future pupil numbers. Were these projections considered?
Yes. Pupil‑place forecasts, local demographic data and housing growth were all considered as part of the decision‑making process. The Local Authority Place Planning team advised in 2023 that the housing development would not have impact on schools numbers at St Josephs in the immediate or near future.
Current and predicted numbers showed insufficient growth to sustain the school in the short to medium term. Even with new developments, projected intake was not enough to make the school financially or educationally viable as budgets are allocated by the government by a pupil-by-pupil basis.
Were alternative uses – such as SEMH or specialist provision – explored for the site. Were these options considered?
The Trust has explored a range of alternative models, including specialist and inclusive provision. While respondents expressed strong views that the area needs additional SEMH places, moving to a specialist designation requires Local Authority commissioning, capital investment and viability assurances. These discussions will continue as the future of the site is considered in partnership with the Local Authority, Department of Education and Nottingham Diocesan Trust.
Some responses criticised leadership decisions in recent years. How is this being addressed?
We understand that some stakeholders have concerns about leadership changes, trust‑wide approaches and the school’s direction over time. Personnel matters cannot be discussed publicly, but all feedback has been noted and will be used to support Trust‑level reflection, governance review and continuous improvement across all schools.
Will there be an opportunity for past and present families and staff to come together to mark the school’s history?
Several respondents requested a celebration or gathering to honour the legacy of St Joseph’s. The Trust and school will work together to arrange an appropriate event before closure, allowing the community to come together to celebrate the school’s contribution over many decades.
Why have pupil numbers fallen so sharply when historically the school had a waiting list?
Looking back at pupil numbers over time, the school has not been at capacity of 210 for a number of years. Multiple factors have contributed, including demographic shifts, increased parental choice in a competitive local area, fewer Catholic families in the region, and the ongoing impact of reputation and performance concerns identified in external reviews. Although views differ on the exact causes, the trend in admissions has been consistent and significant.
What support will be available for staff and pupils affected by the closure?
We fully recognise how difficult this situation is for staff, pupils and families. The Trust is providing individual support to staff and working closely with receiving schools to ensure smooth transitions for all pupils. Emotional wellbeing and pastoral support will continue to be prioritised throughout the closure process with the Local Authority regularly sharing staff vacancy opportunities as and when they become available.