St Giles-on-the-Heath Primary School: proposal to change the age range

Update 18 July 2024: Following consultation and completion of the statutory process, the proposal to change the age range of St Giles on the Heath Primary School from 4-11 to 2-11 years of age with effect from September 2024 has now been approved by Devon County Council.

Archived information:-

Proposal and Evidence of demand

St Giles-on-the-Heath Primary School is a Community School maintained by Devon County Council for ages 4-11. Red Robins is a Governor run Pre-School, run as a Foundation Stage Unit, situated on the grounds of St Giles-on-the-Heath Primary School and currently offers places to 2, 3 and 4 years olds. Devon County Council is consulting on a proposal to extend the age range of St Giles-on-the-Heath Primary School from 4-11 to 2-11 years of age from September 2024. This proposal is concerned with the Pre-school becoming part of the school rather than operating as an extended service. There will be no change in relation to the number of early years places currently offered. If the proposal is approved, the main difference is that the Pre-school will become a maintained Nursery Class, continuing to be organised as a Foundation Stage Unit (Nursery and Reception class integrated). If the proposal is approved, Early Years staff will be employed directly by the school and children currently in the Pre-school will be registered on the school roll. Parents/carers of children in the Foundation Stage Unit will still need to make a separate application to Devon County Council for a place in the reception class.

Objectives

Extending the age range of the school will allow children to attend their local early years provision and help meet demand in the local area. The Governing Body wishes to ensure that the school supports the local area by offering high quality early education and childcare. The proposal will enable a smooth transition into the Reception class and early support for any child who may require additional support.

Education standards

The school is an Ofsted ‘Good’ School (January 2023). Ofsted identified that the Early Years provision is ‘Good’. From the age of two, children play well together and enjoy learning in the foundation stage unit. Learning in the classroom is rich and engaging. Leaders plan learning for children in early years through stories. Staff have high expectations of the youngest children. Children quickly learn to follow routines. They learn well with each other and start to become independent.  Inspection reports are available via: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

The effect on other Schools, Academies, and educational institutions in the area

Other schools, academies and local early years providers have been consulted with and no responses have been received from them. A pre-school already exists on the school site and converting to a nursery is unlikely to have a negative impact on other early years providers or schools in the local area.

Project Costs

No capital funding is required. Planning consent is not required.
It is envisaged that this proposal will be cost neutral as the Early Years funding will be received where children are eligible and by parental subscription where they are not.

Implementation and any proposed stages for implementation
The proposal, if approved, will be implemented with effect from September 2024.

Effect on existing pupils

The proposal will not affect the capacity of the school, nor the Published Admission Number for school aged children and will not put pressure on existing classroom space.

Pre-publication Consultation

A pre-publication consultation took place between 23 April to 21 May 2024.
One response was received from St Giles on the Heath with Northcott Parish Council who were in support of the proposed change of age range.

Response to formal representation period

You can object to or comment on the proposals by:

Emailing: schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk

Writing to: Strategic Planning Children’s Services, Room 120, Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD.

by the closing date 2 July 2024.

All responses will be considered by Devon County Council and will be shared with the school’s leadership team and governors, unless you request otherwise. Please see Devon County Council’s Privacy Notice:
https://www.devon.gov.uk/privacy/privacy-notices/privacy-notice-for-representations-to-school-organisation-statutory-consultations/ Please note that all responses will be properly considered by Devon County Council and the Governing Body, but we will not send individual responses to any specific points raised.