{"id":10627,"date":"2026-06-24T16:43:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T15:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/?post_type=consultation&#038;p=10627"},"modified":"2026-06-24T16:45:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T15:45:44","slug":"newtown-primary-school","status":"publish","type":"consultation","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/consultations\/newtown-primary-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Newtown Primary School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Proposal to Extend the Age Range from 4\u201311 to 2\u201311 Years and integrate existing pre-school provision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact Newtown Primary School via the school office on telephone number:&nbsp; tel:01392 255540 or email <a href=\"mailto:office@newtown.acexcellence.co.uk\">office@newtown.acexcellence.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Proposal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Academies for Character and Excellence (ACE) Trust is proposing to extend the age range of Newtown Primary School from 4\u201311 years to 2\u201311 years with effect from September 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will integrate the existing Newtown Community Pre-school into the school, bringing it under the governance and operation of ACE while maintaining the provision on the current school site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newtown Community Preschool is currently an externally governed, committee-run provision operating on the Newtown Primary School site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following a formal vote, the Pre-school committee has agreed for the provision to transfer into The Academies for Character and Excellence Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This reflects a shared commitment to securing the long-term future of early years provision within the community. The Trust, school and Pre-school leaders have been working collaboratively through due diligence and planning to ensure a smooth and well-managed transition that protects the quality of provision for children and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nursery Provision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposed nursery provision will initially offer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>23 place nursery provision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Places for children aged 2\u20134 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The nursery will operate as part of Newtown Primary School and The Academies for Character and Excellence Trust.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trust has established experience in delivering high-quality nursery and early years provision across schools within the Trust and has robust existing systems for safeguarding, curriculum development, operational oversight and staff training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nursery will benefit from experienced early years staff already working within the school and wider Trust and offer development opportunities to all staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposal does not reduce the Published Admission Number (PAN) or the school\u2019s capacity for statutory school-aged pupils and will not place pressure on existing classroom accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents will still need to make a separate application for a reception place through admissions arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale for Change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This proposal aims to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Secure the long-term viability of the Pre-school provision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide stronger governance, financial oversight and operational support through the Trust<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure continuity of care and education for children already attending the setting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a seamless early years pathway from age 2 through to Year 6<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support staff through access to wider Trust systems, training and leadership<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Importantly, the Pre-school will remain on the existing school site, ensuring continuity for children, families and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Continuity of Provision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are no planned changes to the location or day-to-day operation of the setting as part of this proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children and families can expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The same setting on the school site<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continuity of familiar staff, subject to TUPE transfer arrangements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The same ethos, relationships and community links<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A strengthened curriculum and operational model supported by the Trust<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The intention is to build on the existing strengths of the Pre-school, not replace them and offer them development opportunities within ACE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nursery \/ Pre-school Provision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following approval, the provision will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Operate as part of Newtown Primary School and ACE<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue to provide places for children aged 2\u20134 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deliver early years education in line with EYFS statutory requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Benefit from Trust-wide systems for safeguarding, quality assurance, training and curriculum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trust has established experience in delivering early years provision across its schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Staffing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Staff currently employed by the Pre-school will be consulted as part of a formal TUPE process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eligible staff are expected to transfer into ACE on their existing terms and conditions (subject to TUPE regulations)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staff will gain access to wider Trust training, development and support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There will be no immediate changes to staffing structure beyond those required for safe and effective operation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Funding &amp; Sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposal is designed to ensure a financially sustainable future for the provision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As identified through due diligence, the current model has faced financial pressures linked to staffing costs and increasing levels of need within the cohort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Integration into the Trust will provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stronger financial oversight and planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greater resilience through central support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved ability to manage staffing and funding challenges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The provision will continue to operate through early years funding and parental income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No capital funding or financial contribution is being requested, and the Trust is not applying for Department for Education School-Based Nursery capital funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The longer-term ambition is to develop extended wraparound childcare and holiday provision in response to local community demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Academies for Character and Excellence Trust is undertaking this consultation to seek the views of parents, carers, staff, local residents, early years providers and other interested stakeholders on the proposal to extend the age range of Newtown Primary School from 4\u201311 years to 2\u201311 years through the integration of Newtown Community Preschool into the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The consultation forms an important part of the Trust\u2019s decision-making process. All responses received will be carefully considered by the Trust before a final decision is made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An Equality Impact Assessment has been completed to consider the potential impact of the proposal on children, families, staff and the wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposal does not involve the closure or relocation of the existing preschool provision. The preschool will continue to operate from its current location on the Newtown Primary School site and will become part of the school&#8217;s provision, subject to approval following consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All consultation responses will be reviewed and a summary of the feedback will be considered by the Trust before any final decision is taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Proposed Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposed timetable is as follows:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Consultation:<\/td><td>24<sup>th<\/sup> June to 21<sup>st<\/sup> July 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Review of consultation responses and decision by Trust:<\/td><td>22<sup>nd<\/sup> July 2026<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Proposed implementation:<\/td><td>1<sup>st<\/sup> September 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Responding to the Consultation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We welcome comments, feedback and questions from parents, carers, staff, local residents, community groups and other interested parties by the closing date of 21<sup>st<\/sup> July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Responses can be submitted by sending an email to Sam Ward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Email: <a href=\"mailto:sam.ward@acexcellence.co.uk\">sam.ward@acexcellence.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Post:\u00a0 Sam Ward, c\/o Newtown Primary School, Clifton Road, \u00a0Exeter, EX1 2BP<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please mark responses: \u201cNursery Consultation Response\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Personal Data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Should any personal information be submitted through email or in writing, this will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation and will not be shared outside of the consultation process other than where legally required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Proposal to Extend the Age Range from 4\u201311 to 2\u201311 Years and integrate existing pre-school provision If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact Newtown Primary School via the school office on telephone number:&nbsp; tel:01392 255540 or email office@newtown.acexcellence.co.uk Proposal The Academies for Character and Excellence (ACE) Trust is proposing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":9539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"consultation_tags":[37],"district":[23],"class_list":["post-10627","consultation","type-consultation","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","consultation_tags-education-and-schools","district-exeter"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/consultations\/10627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/consultations"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/consultation"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10627"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/consultations\/10627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10630,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/consultations\/10627\/revisions\/10630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"consultation_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/consultation_tags?post=10627"},{"taxonomy":"district","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/district?post=10627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}