What this consultation is about
Context
Harpur Hill Primary School is situated next to woodland at the foot of Solomon’s Temple. The school was built in 1953 and has been extended over the years as it has grown in size and popularity. The school site and surrounding area provides many opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. There are three separate playgrounds, a MUGA (multi-use games area) and a large field. The former Children’s Centre which closed in January 2016, was built in 2008 and is situated on the school site, close to the main school building. The Local Authority has identified an under supply of nursery places within Harpur Hill. There is currently a private provider leasing space within the former children’s centre building, and projections have identified that there will be sufficient demand for a school nursery as well as a private provider. The demand for pre-school places is rising due to the provision of 30 hours free childcare to parents who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Proposal
The Local Authority has proposed that Harpur Hill Primary School should extend their age range from four to 11 years to three to 11 years so that the school can offer nursery provision.
Staff
The school has early years-trained staff already on its teaching and non-teaching personnel. If the school were to extend their age range to provide a nursery, the school would need to recruit one additional qualified teacher and two non-teaching staff members.
Funding
We receive funding from the government, in the form of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for all children who have reached the age of three by 31 December prior to the January School Census. These children are currently eligible for a maximum of 15 hours of free early year’s provision. The school will receive its funding for eligible children under Derbyshire’s Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF), a common formula which funds all of the free entitlement for children in nursery units within a mainstream school, nursery schools and private, voluntary and independent settings. Funding will be based on a count of actual weekly hours attended by qualifying children as at the three school census points (January, May and October).
Statutory consultation
Following the consultation period a report was presented to the Young People - Cabinet Member Portfolio, 11 September 2017, agenda item one.