Stockland C of E Academy – proposal to change the age range

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Proposal

We are excited to propose an enhancement to our Primary School education offer by extending the age range of Stockland CofE Academy from 5–11 years to 0–11 years of age with effect from 20th April 2026. This will enable the school to create a seamless and continuous educational provision through the early years to KS2.

Background

Stockland and Yarcombe Pre-School, currently located at Stockland Victory Hall, Stockland, Devon, EX14 9EF, is an off-site, independent, committee run charity and provides early years provision during term times for ages 18-months-4yrs.

Stockland and Yarcombe committee have voted in favour of their Pre-School to become part of the school provision on the school site. The Trust is proposing the 2,3- and 4-year-old nursery children become part of the school provision. To ensure there is no gap in early years provision, it is proposed that the age range of Stockland CofE Academy, part of ACE multi academy trust, will change from 5-11 to 0-11 years of age from 20th April 2026.

All staff at the Pre-School will be transferring, under TUPE, to the Trust – The Academies for Character and Excellence, on the 20th April 2026. This will enable all Trust staff to be employed within one organisation. The Department for Education (DfE) has recently launched a School-Based Nursery Capital Grant for which primary-phase schools can bid for funding for capital expenditure towards creating school-based nursery provision.

The Capital Grants are to support the expansion of childcare places as a result of the Government’s increased early years entitlements for working families.

The phase one funding has already increased the demand for childcare and is one of the reasons why this proposal is being brought forward now, along with the availability of phase two capital funding and the desire to bring the Pre-School onto the school site.
New Nursery Building

We propose to use an existing modular classroom block within the school grounds for the new nursery provision. This space is a self-contained classroom with a secure outdoor area, which will be developed to allow free-flow play between indoors and outdoors.

By relocating the Pre-School to the school site, we aim to create a dedicated nursery classroom with age-appropriate resources, baby/quiet area, and safe outdoor play facilities. This move will enable a seamless educational journey from early years through to Key Stage 2 and enable closer working and collaborative partnerships.

The new nursery will offer a minimum of 19 places in total:
• 6 places for under 2 year-olds
• 5 places for 2-year-olds
• 8 places for 3–4-year-olds

Breakfast and after-school care will also be available, and the provision will be fully accessible for children with additional needs. The nursery will be led by a qualified nursery manager, supported by a qualified early years teacher and experienced qualified assistants, ensuring high-quality care and education for all children.

We are committed to ensuring the proposals will not affect the Published Admission Number (PAN), nor the capacity of the school for school aged children or place any pressure on the current classroom space. Our plan is to maintain the integrity of our current classroom environment, ensuring all pupils continue to receive an excellent education. Therefore, there will be no adverse effect on the operational capacity. This includes ensuring the classroom space remains sufficient and effective for all statutory school age children.

Parents will still need to make a separate application to Devon County Council for a place in the reception class if they attend the school nursery.
Should the Primary School obtain the necessary capital funding, this will mean, in effect, that Stockland and Yarcombe Pre-School housed in the village hall will close but, in its place, Stockland CofE Academy will have a Nursery operating as part of the school from the 20th April 2026. ACE has experience of Nursery Classes within other schools in the Trust.

The school will then be in a position to offer 6 places for under 2-year-olds, 5 places for 2-year-olds and 8 places for 3–4-year-olds. This also gives increased accessibility to breakfast, afterschool and an opportunity for school meal provision. It is planned to open for 48 weeks of the year and not just during term times. Parents will be able to spread their funded entitlement across more than 38 weeks which will make early years provision more affordable for some families. This will complement the holiday provision that is already available for primary school aged children. Families will have the convenience of a 48-week provision on the school site.

Should the funding, to enable the school to proceed with the capital build project for the purpose-built nursery provision, not be obtained, the proposed planned age-range change of the school would proceed for 2-11 provision. This is subject to approval from the Department for Education, the Diocese, and Devon County Council.

The Process

The proposal to extend the age range of the school requires the submission of a Significant Change application to the DfE. The DfE is the decision-maker.

Following the end of this consultation, and consideration of the responses, the Academy Trust is proposing to submit a consolidated application to the DfE. The consolidated application will include a Significant Change application to extend the age range, and the capital funding application.

All responses to this consultation will be considered by the School, ACE Multi Academy Trust and shared with decision makers at the Department for Education.

The proposed timetable is as follows:

Consultation: 18th November to 9th December 2025
Proposed implementation: 20th April 2026

Responding to the consultation

You can respond to the consultation by writing to:
Pippa Harrigan, c/o Stockland CofE Academy, Stockland, Honiton, Devon EX14 9EF, or by emailing: Pippa Harrigan – pippa.harrigan@acexcellence.co.uk, or by requesting an on-line form, by the closing date of 9th December 2025.

Personal data
Should any personal information be submitted through an email or in writing, this will be categorised, and no personal information will be shared both internally or externally.