Q1 I would like to know how many schools and academies have requested to lower their age range below the age of 4 in the academic year 2023-24 and 2022-23 (separately)
Devon County Council (DCC) do not hold full information on the number of requests made by Academy Schools to lower their age range as such requests must be made to the Department for Education.
For DCC maintained schools: Community Schools need to request to DCC to lower their age range by one year group or more. Foundation and Voluntary Schools need to request to DCC to lower their age range only if the change is by 3 year groups or more.
For 2022-23 academic year: 3 maintained schools requested to lower their age range.
For 2023-24 academic year: 2 maintained schools requested to lower their age range.
Q2. I would also separately like to know how many schools and academies have requested to form a nursery by lowering its age range in the academic year 2023-24 and 2022-23 (separately)
Please refer to our response to question 1