Nursery Consultation
Proposal for lowering the age range at St Mary’s CE Primary School to provide Early Years’ entitlement places for 3-year-olds
Consultation Document
Your views are important to us. We would like to gain your views and comments on our school’s proposal and provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the proposals.
Background information
St Mary’s CE Primary School is a Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary school within Trafford Local Authority and Manchester Diocese. In September 2024, the school made a temporary change to its admission age, lowering it to include children who were already aged 3 on 1st September 2024. Nursery and Reception children are currently taught in a mixed Early Years Foundation Stage class.
What are we proposing and where?
The Governors of St Mary’s CE Primary School wish to establish an expanded provision where all children aged 3 or 4 can be admitted in a separate Nursery class. This would enable children to join the nursery provision in the term after their 3rd birthday throughout the school year.
The primary reason for doing this is to provide high quality, school-based provision for our local community, whilst facilitating a smooth transition into our Reception Class. Nursery aged pupils will also be able to access the school’s wraparound care, which will provide a childcare solution for working families in keeping with the family ethos of the school.
Our pupils often join us from a wide range of settings, including from different areas, as we do not have a catchment area due to us being a faith school. We feel that offering high quality school-based nursery provision is an opportunity to give our children the best possible start to their education journey.
The separate nursery class will be accommodated by repurposing existing school buildings, funded by a School-Based Nursery Capital Grant.
Why are we undertaking a consultation?
Before a school can make permanent changes to the age range of pupils that it admits, all interested parties who might be affected by the proposals must be consulted. The consultation will commence on Tuesday 19th November and run to Tuesday 10th December.
When are we proposing the change?
We are proposing to make the change from September 2025.
Who are we consulting with?
- Parents/Carers
- School Staff
- Local Schools
- Local Early Years and Childcare Providers
- Trafford Local Authority
- Manchester Diocese
- Local Parochial Church Council
Why are we consulting with you?
Whenever a school proposes to lower the age range of a school to accommodate nursery aged children, all interested parties who are likely to be affected by the proposals must be consulted in the development of the proposals.
It is important that the proposals are the subject of broad consultation with all interested parties to ensure that your views are considered and that you are fully informed and involved before a final decision is made by the Local Authority.
Prior to making any decisions in relation to the proposals, the responses to the consultation will be fully analysed.
How to respond to the consultation
- Complete the consultation questionnaire online, no later than Tuesday 10th December 2024
- If you would like paper copies of any documents, please request them from the school office via stmarysdavy.admin@trafford.gov.uk or telephone 0161 9122728
- Parents/Carers may send any questions/comments via ClassDojo
- Email any responses to stmarysdavy.admin@trafford.gov.uk
Thank you for taking the time to read this consultation document. Your views are important to us. Please make them known to us by completing the questionnaire or by getting in touch.
Key contact
Mrs Alison Daniel
Headteacher