Decision details
CES-01-23 - Intention - Statutory Notice to change the age range of Princecroft Primary School, Princecroft Lane, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8NT
PDF 239 KBDecision Maker: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills
Decision status: For Determination
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Purpose:
To ask the Cabinet Member to approve the statutory proposal published by Wiltshire Council on 6 January 2023. The notice proposed to change the age range of Princecroft Primary School to provide additional pre-school provision from 1 September 2023. The school will then admit children from the age of 2 years. Pupils will be accommodated in an existing building on the school site, formerly the Noah’s Ark Nursery which closed July 2022.
Decision:
Following consultation with officers I give notice that I intend to make the decision set out in the attached report. If you would like to make any representations to me on this issue please do so by 15 March 2023.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient places across Wiltshire and this proposal will ensure that the community in the area of Princecroft Primary School have a sufficient supply of pre-school places in their local community.
Alternative options considered:
i. Do Nothing
The Council does have the option to do nothing as it has a statutory duty to provide sufficient early years childcare places across the county.
ii. Provide alternative funding for a new building
The Council has no other funding it could use to create these additional places elsewhere.
iii. Identify an alternative private provider
No alternative Provider has been identified to provide additional places
iv. Increase capacity at Princecroft Nursery utilising the existing building vacated by Noah’s Ark Nursery in 2022
This is the preferred option as it will increase early years capacity in the area, and should support the school to improve outcomes for pre-school children who may attend the school at the appropriate time
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Wiltshire Council and Princecroft Primary School have widely consulted on the proposal to lower the age range of the school to provide extended nursery provision. Consultation with a range of stakeholders took place between 18 November 2022 and 16 December 2022 and preceded publication of the statutory proposals. A public meeting was also held on 6 December 2022. Interested parties were asked to complete a consultation form. There were 53 responses received, all supported the proposal.
The statutory proposal period ended on 03 February 2023. There were no objections or comments received.
Contact: Gary Binstead – Head of Commissioning – Families and Children - Email: gary.binstead@wiltshire.gov.uk 01225 718501.
Publication date: 10/03/2023
Date of decision: 16/03/2023
Effective from: 16/03/2023
Accompanying Documents:
