Dear parents/carers, students, staff, governors and other interested parties,
We appreciate the contributions from everyone who took the time to respond to our recent consultation on extending High Halstow Primary Academy’s age range from 4- 11 years to 3-11 years.
The consultation responses contained many positive comments about extending the academy’s age range to include 3-11 year-olds. Many stakeholders recognised the benefits an extension to the age could bring as outlined in our consultation letter. These include fostering a cohesive learning environment from a younger age, promoting a smoother transition into Reception for children already familiar with the school’s setting, and adding an increased number of spaces for three year olds in the local and surrounding area. Medway Council has also offered a letter of support for the academy’s proposed extended age range application, which is attached in Appendix 1.
In reviewing the consultation responses and reflecting on the drop-in session that was held, the focus of any queries raised has predominantly been regarding the current provision, High Halstow Pre-school Limited, that operates from the academy site, and not in response to High Halstow’s age-range extension. High Halstow Pre-school Limited is an entirely separate private entity from High Halstow Primary Academy that operates under an agreement with Leigh Academies Trust (LAT), which is the land owner. Therefore, any subsequent decisions regarding the continuation of this provision should be directed to the Manager of that setting.
The Academy has given over fourteen months’ notice relating to the current space that High Halstow Pre-school Limited leases, which the requirement under our agreement is much less. This gives the provision ample time to secure alternative premises. It is our understanding that the provision has previously operated from a different location and could do so again should it wish.
Clarifying our Consultation Purpose
For clarity, our consultation focused solely on our intended application to offer early years education for three year olds alongside our existing provision for four year olds, thereby extending our age range from 3-11 years. We are proposing this option to further enhance the quality of education we provide as we know it works externally well in all other LAT primary academies. Alongside meeting the needs of our growing community, we would be able to offer up to twenty-four places in our nursery, and offer a smooth transition for our children entering Reception.
FAQs
Why isn’t High Halstow Primary Academy working with High Halstow Pre-school Limited?
The academy approached High Halstow Pre-school Limited before launching the extension to age range consultation, and an offer of employment was made available, but turned down by the Manager.
If the academy extends its age range to 3-11 years, what provision would there be for two year olds in the local area?
High Halstow Pre-school Limited offers provision for two year olds currently. The academy is not looking to extend its age range lower than three years. The academy did consider offering provision for two year olds. However, we do not currently have a suitable additional space to offer two year olds their own room which we believe provides the best model for the delivery of a highly-effective curriculum to suit the needs of this age range.
As stated, the current pre-school is free to continue to operate its provision and the academy has given over fourteen months’ notice for the provision to find a new premises from which to operate, starting 1st September 2025. Should the current pre-school choose not to pursue alternative premises, community members would be able seek provision from a number of other providers in the surrounding area for their under three’s childcare needs. The Family Information Service at Medway Council has shared details of providers that offer childcare provision, a number of which offer places for two year olds which we have attached in Appendix 2. The Hundred of Hoo Nursery, which is located three miles from High Halstow, has also extended its current two year old provision and is looking to extend further within the next twelve months. This will see the number of available two year old provisions in the surrounding area further increase.
What about any two year olds who have a place at High Halstow Pre-school Limited from this September 2024?
High Halstow Pre-school Limited has assured us that any child who has been offered a space will continue to have a place. Should the academy be successful in its application to extend the age range from September 2025 to 3-11, the academy will guarantee a place to any three year old who was attending High Halstow Pre-school should the provision make the decision to no longer operate.
What happens next?
The academy will further review the consultation feedback and then consider its position in submitting a significant change request to the DfE. Based on the initial feedback we have received and to ensure a smooth and measured transition for families, should we be successful in any application to extend the age range to 3-11 years, we will implement this change no earlier than September 2025.
Mrs G Stangroom and Ms E Elwin