Decision details

To ask the Cabinet Member to approve the statutory proposal published by Wiltshire Council on 27 April 2023. The notice proposed to change the age range of St Mary’s C of E Primary School to enable them to provide preschool 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 Peardrops Preschool and a classroom within the school that can accommodate the preschool children.

I confirm the decision as set out as option 3 in the report.

This decision was made on 26 June 2023 and will come into effect on 4 July 2023.

The Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient places across Wiltshire and this proposal will ensure that the community in the area of St Mary’s C of E Primary School have a sufficient supply of pre-school places in their local community.

1. Do Nothing

The Council does not have the option to do nothing as it has a statutory duty to provide sufficient early years childcare places across the county.

2. Identify an alternative private provider

No alternative Provider has been identified to provide continuity of places.

3. St Mary’s C of E Primary School provide continuity of the current Peardrops Preschool utilising the existing building due to be vacated by Peardrops Preschool in August 2023 and accommodate the Playclose Preschool currently within the village using an existing classroom within the school.

This is the preferred option as it will provide continuity of existing early years capacity in the area and should support the school to improve outcomes for preschool children who may attend the school at the appropriate time.

St Mary’s C of E Primary School will provide 40 places for 2 - 4 year olds in the local area. The current early years provision is closing July 2023 and the Local Authority has identified a need for continued preschool places in the area to meet its statutory duty to provide sufficient childcare within Purton.

The places will be provided by using the existing building currently occupied by Peardrops Preschool in the school grounds and the use of an additional classroom within the school.

Wiltshire Council and St Mary’s C of E Primary School have widely consulted on the proposal to lower the age range of the school to provide preschool provision. Consultation with a range of stakeholders took place between 06 March 2023 and 31 March 2023 and preceded publication of the statutory proposals. A public meeting was also held on 28 March 2023. Interested parties were asked to complete a consultation form. There were 16 responses received, 14 agreed with the proposal and 2 disagreed. The two local residents disagreed to this proposal as the school is accessed via College Road which is a private road. Some local residents have ongoing disagreements already with the school regarding access via College Road. The proposal is taking over an existing preschool on site so does not have any further impact on the local residents.

The statutory proposal period ended on 25 May 2023. There were no objections or comments received.