The age range of a school in Queensferry is expected to change as councillors approve a final proposal at a Cabinet meeting today (Tuesday 17 June).
Proposals were published last July 2013 to close the Croft Nursery School in Shotton, and to integrate the pupils into the neighbouring St. Ethelwold’s Church in Wales Voluntary Aided Primary School in Shotton and Queensferry County Primary School from this September, as part of the County’s school modernisation programme.
In order to take in the children from the Croft Nursery the age-range at Queensferry CP School on Chester Road West needed to be revised. No written objections were received by Flintshire County Council concerning plans to change the age-range from 4-11 to 3-11 years from September 2014, and in this event the Council’s Cabinet has the authority to determine the change.
Ian Budd, Chief Officer Education and Youth at Flintshire County Council said: “Although there were objections to closing the Croft Nursery School, the Welsh Government Minister for Education and Skills supported the proposed changes.
“The change is aimed at ensuring continuity for families throughout a child’s primary education. Queensferry and St. Ethelwolds primary schools will have all-through provision for early education for the first time.
“Other benefits include an increase in the Flying Start childcare programme that will benefit eligible families in the area. Flying Start provides free quality, part-time childcare for 2-3 year olds, an enhanced Health Visiting service, access to Parenting Programmes and Early Language Development.
“Staff from the Croft Nursery School will be recommended to be transferred to the two schools in order to provide the nursery provision and the Council is working closely with staff and parents and carers to support implementation.”
Councillor Chris Bithell, Cabinet Member for Education said: “Amalgamating schools’ provision is important to ensure a sustainable education throughout the County and the approval of the plans for Queensferry CP School is another step towards providing this for all pupils across Flintshire.”
