'Hands off Hertford' was the message at Hollingdean lantern parade

Last Friday (November 10), more than 200 children and parents gathered at the school for the annual procession, which precedes a large firework display – organised by the Brighton Lions – at nearby Hertford Junior School.

With ten drummers from the band Maracatu supplying a musical accompaniment, children marched from the infant school to the juniors, with a variety of lanterns of different shapes and sizes lighting the way.

A key feature of this year's parade were two large, heart-shaped lanterns in support of the school, which acted as figureheads for the procession, and a number of smaller heart models with slogans such as "Hands off Hertford" and "We love Hertford" displayed prominently.

In total, around 150 were produced in association with Hertford Infants Biscuit Club, a parents group at the school.

Hertford Infant and Nursery School is one of five schools included in a consultation from Brighton and Hove City Council, which is proposing to reduce the current two-form entry to one from 2019, meaning a drop from 60 pupils to 30.

Campaigners argue that with no single-form infant school anywhere in the city, there are fears that the proposals would mean that the Ofsted-rated outstanding school is no longer viable.

Other schools which could see their intake lowered to 30 are Moulsecoomb Primary School, Coombe Road Primary School, West Hove Infant School and Benfield Primary School.

To take part in the consultation, which ends on Sunday (November 19), click here.