Rusthall St Paul’s Nursery Consultation November 2024

(Part of the Inspire Academy Movement)

Background 

Following discussion, directors of the Inspire Academy Movement Trust as the admission authority for the school, and the local governing body (LGB) are consulting to make a significant change to an open academy characteristic at Rusthall St Paul’s Church of England School.   

Proposal 

In line with the DFE guidance ‘Making significant changes to an open academy’ October 2024 we are proposing to lower the age range for our pupils from 4 years old to two years old.    

Consultation 

The directors from Inspire Academy Movement and governors at Rusthall St Paul’s are consulting with the following stakeholders: 

• Kent County Council  

• The Local Governing Body for Rusthall St Paul’s 
• Manor Road Pre-School
• Sunnyside Pre-School
• Parents of the children who attend Rusthall St Paul’s Church of England School  
• Primary, secondary and special schools in the area 
• Parents in the local area  

This consultation will run for 4 weeks from Monday 18 November 2024 until Monday 16 December 2024.  

Comments

If you wish to make any comments regarding the consultation and proposal, please send them to this email address rusthalloffice@inspiream.org.uk marked for the attention of the Head of School, Lyndsay Smurthwaite. Responses to be received at the latest by 12.00pm on Monday 16th December 2024.   

Further information regarding the proposal 

The Vision for our Nursery at Rusthall St Paul’s 

Our vision is to extend Rusthall St Paul’s current provision by lowering the age range from 4 years to 2 years. This would ensure that local children from the village, and in our catchment area, have quality nursery provision from the age of two years old. We would be providing spaces for those with siblings at the school already or those living in Rusthall and the nearby surrounding area who intend to become pupils at the school. 

Historical context 

Rusthall St Paul’s has been a primary school serving the local community for many years. Rusthall St. Paul's CE Primary School in Tunbridge Wells opened on 1st September 2007. This opening was the result of an amalgamation of two predecessor schools: St. Paul's Church of England Infant School and St. Paul's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School. In September 2024, the school formally joined the Inspire Academy Movement.

Q&A’s 

Why are we proposing to lower the starting age at the school?  

We believe that there is a local need for more nursery places for two-year-olds. We would offer up to 24 places. This would have a positive impact on the school community offering excellent early years education and providing through education until the age of 11. 

Why are we consulting now? 

We are consulting on lowering the age to 2 now so that, should there be sufficient demand, we can provide places for local children. This is in line with Government requirements to increase nursery provision for two-year-olds. We are keen to understand the views of our local community on this proposal and so, as per best practice recommended by the Department of Education (DfE), we have incorporated a 4-week period of consultation into the decision-making process. The consultation will run from Monday 18 November 2024 until Monday 16 December.  

Will the proposal have any impact on admission to the school’s reception class?  

No. Admission arrangements to the reception class at Rusthall St Paul’ will remain unchanged and will not be affected by admission to nursery at 2 years old.  There will be no changes to our current published admissions number (PAN) for reception, however, we will be increasing the PAN from 15 to 30 in September 25. 

Do the trust and governors support the proposal?  

Yes, there is positive support for the proposal from the trust and governors. They believe it would benefit current and future pupils and the local community.  Staff will be asked for their thoughts and comments regarding the proposal prior to this consultation closing and their views are being taken into account as part of the consultation process. 

Will the proposal disrupt the education of pupils currently at the school?  

There will be no major disruption for current pupils.

How many places in the nursery will there be?

If the proposal was agreed and given the go ahead then we would offer a maximum of 8 places for two year olds initially and up to 16 places for three year olds. We hope to be able to offer this for the Spring term 2026. 

What hours and days would the nursery provide? 

The 2-year-old provision would initially provide 15 hours during the current school day either 8.45-11.45am or 12.15-3.15pm. Additional hours could be provided with 30 hours eligibility. An additional lunchtime club form 11.45-12.15pm would be available at an additional cost for those parents who wish to make use of this service.  

Will you offer wrap around care for all nursery pupils?

We do not currently have plans to offer wrap around care for nursery pupils, but this may be offered in future years if there was sufficient demand for places and staffing allows.  

Is funding available? 

There is funding available from the school based Nursery Capital Grant to support refurbishment of un-used buildings currently on school sites. If successful for this grant we would refurbish the current school building to provide a nursery that has the capacity to extend and grow should there be sufficient demand in the future.

Will adaptations need to be made to the building? 

There are adaptations to be made in the main school to provide adequate toilet and changing areas for younger pupils.  

Will there be extra traffic and how will you reduce the impact?  

It is possible that there may be a slight increase in traffic, but we envisage that the majority of pupils will be local and could walk to Nursery or currently have siblings in the school so will therefore would already be travelling to the school.