A CATHOLIC primary school is to have its government grant reduced for the next two school years following a decline in pupil numbers.
FCJ Primary School, which received £270,000 in annual public funding from 2024 to 2026, is due to receive £260,000 a year from 2026 to 2028 – a reduction of £10,000.
The cut comes as the number of children attending the school has fallen in recent years.
In 2024, FCJ had 245 pupils. The following year, enrolment fell to 227 students, with numbers falling again this year to 212 pupils.
FCJ is one of five Catholic schools in the Island which receive government grants, alongside Beaulieu Convent School, Beaulieu Primary, De La Salle College and De La Salle Primary.
De La Salle and Beaulieu have both received increased grants for the new school year.
According to FCJ’s website, its government grant is equivalent to 22% of what it would cost the States to educate the same number of pupils in a fully government-funded school.
The remainder of the school’s costs are covered through fees, which are due to be £2,662.50 per term in the new school year.
