An academy trust is proposing to merge two Purbeck primary schools because of declining pupil numbers, with its preferred option to close St George’s in Langton Matravers and move the pupils to St Mark’s in Swanage, Dorset.
The Coastal Learning Partnership (CLP) academy trust sent an email to parents on Tuesday 2nd June 2026, launching a consultation on the issue and explaining the financial challenge of running the two schools with the ongoing fall in pupil numbers.
The St George’s school site is owned by the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education and could be sold to the highest bidder if the school closes
National and local issue
Falling pupil numbers is a national issue with the number of children requiring a place in a primary school in England expected to fall by around 300,000 by 2030.
There were 16 percent fewer births in England and Wales in 2025, compared to 2015.
According to data from the Department for Education for 2025/6, all the local primary schools have spaces, to a lesser or greater extent.
- St George’s CE primary, Langton Matravers – School capacity 120 / Number on roll: 91 (76 percent full)
- St Mark’s CE primary, Swanage – School capacity: 210 / Number on roll: 120 (57 percent full)
- Swanage primary – School capacity: 210 / Number on roll: 202 (96 percent full)
- St Mary’s RC primary, Swanage – School capacity: 210 / Number on roll: 180 (86 percent full)
- Corfe Castle CE primary – School capacity: 105 / Number on roll: 88 (84 percent full)
When the Swanage Middle School closed in 2013, St Mark’s took over part of the site
“Opportunity to protect the quality of education”
In the email, the CEO of the Coastal Learning Partnership Paul Howieson told parents:
“This (is) a difficult problem for schools to manage because, when they have fewer pupils, schools often have to organise learning differently such as by mixing different year groups together.
“It also means they have less income because schools are funded by (the) Government based on the number of pupils on their roll. This can eventually make it harder for schools to keep delivering a high quality educational experience.
“In the Swanage area, we think we have an opportunity to protect the quality of education that our primary schools can provide.
“We are proposing that St George’s and St Mark’s CE Primary Schools become a single primary school and pre-school in the future, rather than just getting smaller and smaller as two separate ones.”
St George’s school field is owned by Dorset Council and protected from development as it is listed as an Asset of Community Value by the parish council
Future estimated deficit of around £3 million
St George’s currently has four classes but it’s planned to reduce them to three classes for the academic year 2026/27. St Mark’s currently has four classes but it’s planned to reduce that number to three in 2027/28.
In the consultation document it says:
“If we were to take no further action at all, leaving the planned seven classes as they are across the two separate schools despite continued falling pupil numbers, the schools would not be able to afford all the staff.
“Each year, the schools would add around £500,000 to the deficit. Over ten years, a deficit of around £3 million would build up. This is not a sustainable position. That level of deficit would not be tolerated by the Department for Education.
“Coastal Learning Partnership would not be a financial, going concern. This would put the existence of both schools into severe jeopardy, along with every other CLP school.”
Other Purbeck schools managed by the Coastal Learning Partnership
- Swanage primary and pre-school
- Corfe Castle CE primary and pre-school
- Stoborough CE primary
- Wareham St Mary CE primary
- Wool CE primary and pre-school
- Lulworth and Winfrith CE primary school
St Mark’s is one of three primary schools in Swanage. There’s also a secondary school next door for pupils up to the age of 16, but no sixth form
St Mark’s Church of England school
St Mark’s Church of England school was founded in Bell Street, Swanage in 1855 and traditionally taught the children of quarrymen.
When education was reorganised from three tiers to two in 2013, the middle school closed and St Mark’s moved to its larger site, where it is currently located on the High Street, next door to the secondary school The Swanage School.
Since 2009 the school has been rated as Good by Ofsted, having been previously rated as Satisfactory in 2006. It converted to an academy in 2015. There is a breakfast club and an after school club run by the Explorers Childcare Group.
St George’s makes up a key part of the village community in Langton Matravers
St George’s Church of England school
St George’s Church of England school on the High Street in Langton Matravers, dates from around 1880 and generations of pupils from Langton Matravers, Swanage and surrounding villages have been educated at the school.
It is known for its smaller classes, which provides a distinctly more nurturing environment compared to larger schools. It has consistently been rated as Good by Ofsted.
After many years of resisting becoming an academy due to the fear of losing local control of its future, the school eventually converted to academy status in 2024.
The pre-school was set up in 1980 by local parents, based originally at the village hall and the scout hut, before moving to St George’s.
The pre-school became part of the primary school in September 2024 and plays a vital role in the village, delivering essential early learning, while allowing parents to work. There’s also a breakfast club and after school club.
St George’s school children take an active part in events at the nearby St George’s church
“Detrimental to the village”
One St George’s parent who described themselves as devastated by the news, said:
“To lose the school would be detrimental to the village. In an area which is so heavy in second homes and holiday lets, Langton Matravers is one of the last remaining villages with a true village community which is centred around its school and church.
“Swanage currently has three primary schools and, although no one wants to lose any schools, the option to lose St Mark’s would not have the effect on Swanage that the loss of St George’s would have on Langton.”
The pre-school was started to serve families in Langton Matravers
“Matter of significant concern”
On hearing the news, Langton Matravers parish council issued a statement:
“The parish council has been made aware of the proposed school closure and recognises that this will be a matter of significant concern to many residents.
“As the parish council has not yet had the opportunity to consider the implications formally, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific proposals at this stage.
“Councillors will discuss the matter at a meeting on 11th June 2026 at 7 pm in the village hall and will consider the contents of the consultation before determining any response.”
Speaking in a personal capacity as a resident of Langton Matravers, Daryle Pearson, who is also the chair of Langton Matravers parish council said:
“I recognise the important role the school has played in village life and understand why many residents will be concerned by the proposals. The school has previously faced uncertainty and has long been an important part of our community.
“I know many residents will have strong views on the proposals and the impact they could have on village life, and I would encourage residents to engage with the consultation so that their views can be taken into account.”
St Mark’s has been rated as Good by Ofsted since 2009
“Increasingly difficult to deliver a high quality educational experience”
Responding to the question about the negative impact the school closure would have on village life in Langton Matravers, the CEO of Coastal Learning Partnership Paul Howieson told Swanage.News:
“We are greatly concerned about the impact of this proposed merger, especially on the village of Langton Matravers.
“We are also concerned about the community impact of both schools finding it increasingly difficult to deliver a high quality educational experience for local children.
“The national and local challenge of falling pupil numbers is a very difficult one for schools and trusts to manage.”
What else could St Mark’s be used for if the decision was made to close this site rather than St George’s?
Consultation timeline
The consultation is open until Friday 10th July 2026. Three information sessions have been organised for parents, carers, and members of the community, where they can find out more about the proposal and ask questions.
- Monday 15th June 2026: 2 pm at St Mark’s for parents and carers of either school
- Tuesday 16th June 2026: 2 pm at St. George’s for parents and carers of either school
- Thursday 18th June 2026: 6 pm at St George’s for wider community members and parents
Once the consultation is closed, the Trust Board of Coastal Learning Partnership says it will consider what it has heard and then determine whether to proceed with, amend or halt the proposals.
If the Trust Board determines that it must make a significant change, it says an application will be submitted to the Department for Education.
If this happens then the academy trust anticipates submitting the application early in the autumn term 2026. This application will be considered by the Regional Director. If approved, it anticipates the change coming into effect from September 2027.
The Coastal Learning Partnership says no final decision has been made at this stage and the purpose of the consultation is to “inform, listen, and understand views”.
Further information
- Read the letter and consultation document
- Complete the Coastal Learning Partnership consultation form or submit comments and queries via email mergeconsult@coastalpartnership.co.uk
- Websites of St George’s and St Mark’s primary schools
