If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact the Totnes St John’s CE Primary School via the school office on telephone number 01803 864695 or email office@totnesstjohns@acexcellence.co.uk
Proposal
The Academies for Character and Excellence (ACE) Trust is proposing to extend the age range of Totnes St John’s CE Primary School from 4–11 years to 2–11 years with effect from January 2027.
The proposal forms part of a planned transition from the current committee-run Daisy Pre-School provision to a school-based nursery operated by ACE, subject to the outcome of consultation and the necessary governance, legal, property and funding-agreement processes.
Background
Daisy Pre-School is currently an externally governed, committee-run early years provision. ACE, Devon County Council, the Diocese and Daisy Trustees have been working collaboratively to secure the long-term future of local early years provision and to plan a safe, well-managed transition.
The preferred approach is for the current committee-run Daisy Pre-School provision to transition to an ACE-operated school-based nursery from January 2027.
Any decision by Daisy regarding cessation of its current provision remains subject to Daisy Trustees’ own governance and decision-making.
The transition is also subject to consultation and completion of the necessary staffing, legal, property and funding-agreement processes.
The Department for Education (DfE) South West Region’s Group has confirmed that it is supportive in principle of the overall proposal and proposed approach. The January 2027 change relates specifically to the extension from 4–11 to 2–11.
ACE also has a longer-term ambition, subject to a successful application to the Department for Education’s Phase 3 School-Based Nursery (SBN) capital funding programme, to further develop nursery provision at Totnes St John’s. This would include introducing baby and under-two provision and moving to a 0–11 age range. Any proposed change to the school’s age range would be subject to a separate consultation.
Nursery Provision
• Initial January 2027 provision for children aged 2–4 years.
• ACE’s longer-term ambition is to expand the early years offer to include babies and children under two, subject to successful Phase 3 School-Based Nursery funding, a separate consultation and the appropriate Ofsted registration.
• The detailed future capacity and age mix will be confirmed through the separate Phase 3 planning and sufficiency process.
• The longer-term model is intended to operate for 52 weeks with extended hours, wraparound and holiday childcare.
The nursery will operate from its current building as part of Totnes St John’s CofE Primary School and The Academies for Character and Excellence. ACE has established experience in delivering early years provision and has Trust-wide systems for safeguarding, SEND, curriculum development, quality assurance, staff training, finance and operational oversight. Subject to successful Phase 3 funding, the accommodation will then be remodelled and enhanced to support the later expansion of provision, including babies and children under two.
Rationale for Change
• Secure the long-term viability and continuity of local early years provision through the proposed transition from the current committee-run Daisy Pre-School model to an ACE-operated school-based nursery.
• Provide stronger governance, financial oversight and operational support through ACE.
• Ensure continuity of care and education for children already attending the setting.
• Create a seamless early years pathway into Reception and through the wider school.
• Support earlier identification of SEND and other needs through closer working with school staff.
• Strengthen family engagement and school readiness, particularly in an area of disadvantage.
• Provide staff with access to wider Trust systems, training, leadership and professional development.
• Create the platform for a later expansion to baby provision, extended hours, wraparound and 52-week childcare.
Continuity of Provision
The intention is to build on the existing strengths, relationships and local knowledge of Daisy Pre-School. ACE will seek to preserve continuity for children and families through a carefully managed transition.
Staffing implications will be considered separately through the appropriate legal and consultation processes, including consideration of whether TUPE applies and, if so, which employees are assigned to the transferring provision. The nursery will benefit from stronger links with Totnes St John’s, including safeguarding, SEND, curriculum and transition support.
Staffing
ACE and Daisy will take appropriate employment-law advice and follow the required information and consultation processes in relation to staffing.
The potential application of TUPE, and which employees may be in scope, will be determined through that process having regard to the roles assigned to the Daisy provision, including any roles shared across more than one service or setting. No assumption is made within this consultation about the transfer of any particular individual or role.
Where employees transfer to ACE under TUPE, their statutory rights will be protected. Future staffing arrangements for the school-based nursery will be planned around safe and effective operation, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, statutory ratios and the needs of the children.
Funding & Sustainability
The proposal is designed to secure a financially sustainable future for the provision within ACE’s governance and financial management arrangements.
The nursery will continue to be funded through early years entitlements and parental income.
The later baby/under-two expansion is being developed for inclusion in Devon County Council’s Phase 3 School-Based Nursery funding proposal to the DfE and any associated capital works will be subject to grant award and required approvals.
Equality, Inclusion and Wider Impact
The proposal is expected to have a positive impact by securing local early years provision, strengthening transition into Reception, supporting language, communication, physical, social and emotional development, and enabling earlier identification of children’s needs.
Totnes St John’s serves an area of disadvantage, making early access, family engagement and school readiness particularly important. Inclusive provision will be available to children and families in line with statutory requirements, including children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Devon County Council will separately assess childcare sufficiency and any potential impact on other local early years providers.
The Process
ACE is consulting parents, carers, staff, local residents, early years providers, community stakeholders, the Diocese and other interested parties on the proposal to extend the school’s age range from 4–11 to 2–11 from January 2027 and integrate Daisy Pre-School into the school.
This consultation does not determine the later 0–11 change; that will be consulted on separately.
The consultation forms an important part of the Trust’s decision-making process.
All responses received will be carefully considered before a final decision is made.
The Trust will review the feedback alongside Local Authority advice, the educational case, operational arrangements and the relevant statutory requirements.
Proposed Timeline
Responding to the Consultation
We welcome comments, feedback and questions from parents, carers, staff, local residents, early years providers, community groups and other interested stakeholders.
Responses can be submitted by sending an email to Sam Ward: Email: sam.ward@acexcellence.co.uk
Post: Sam Ward, c/o Totnes St John’s CE Primary School, Pathfields, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5TZ
Please mark responses: Totnes Nursery Consultation Response
Personal Data
Any personal information submitted through email or in writing will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation and will not be shared outside of the consultation process other than where legally required.
Email: sam.ward@acexcellence.co.uk