Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School: Consultation on Change of Age Range

If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact:

Mrs H.Last
clerk@exevalleyfederation.org.uk
Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School
Cheriton Fitzpaine
Devon
EX17 4AN

Proposal

The Exe Valley and Moorsway Federation is consulting on a proposal to change the age range of Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School from 2-11 to 4-11 years of age with effect from September 2026.

Background

Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School currently has Nursery and Pre-School provision for children aged 2,3 and 4 years of age, run as a Teacher Led Foundation Stage Unit (Nursery and Reception Class integrated).

The Exe Valley and Moorsway Federation is consulting on the provision changing to a Governor run Pre-School for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Transition to a Governor run Pre-School and Nursery would be smooth and would ensure that the provision for 2, 3 and 4 year olds is monitored and supported by school staff. Its current location, timetable and daily systems for the children would not be affected by the change proposed.

Parents and Carers will continue to still need to make a separate application to Devon County Council for a place in the Reception Class.

Objectives of the proposal

The Governing Body of Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School sees the need to change the status of the Nursery provision to a Governor run pre-school and nursery to allow for savings to be made through the restructuring of staff. The financial savings which are necessary will be made through employing Early Years practitioners to run the pre-school provision on a daily basis, rather than employing a Qualified Teacher to lead the Nursery provision.

Being Governor run, the provision will still be supported by the school. The teachers within the school and across the federation who currently support the Nursery will continue their support of the pre-school provision and the Head of School will retain strategic oversight. The school and the federation will monitor standards and ensure that the quality of provision provided by the pre-school maintains that previously provided through the Foundation Stage Unit.

Capital and Planning

It is confirmed that no capital is required to implement this proposal. Changing the age range will not affect the school’s net capacity or published admission number for school aged children and will not put pressure on existing classroom space.

How to Respond

We welcome responses on this proposal by the closing date of 22^nd July 2026 by either:

Emailing: clerk@exevalleyfederation.org.uk or by:

Post, to: Mrs H.Last

Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School

Cheriton Fitzpaine

Devon

EX17 4AN

The process

This consultation will run from 2^nd July to 22^nd July 2026.

The Government has recently simplified the process for a maintained school to make changes to its nursery provision. The process to change the age range includes a period of consultation followed by a decision at a Full Governing Body meeting.

Following the end of the consultation period, the full Governing Body will meet to consider all the responses to the consultation and make a decision as to whether or not to change the age range of the school from 2-11 to 4-11.

Proposed implementation: September 2026

Please note that all responses will be properly considered by the Governing Body, but we will not send individual responses to any specific points raised.