Councillor Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the report regarding a prescribed alteration to change the age range of Fairfield Primary School. It is proposed to lower the age range of Fairfield Primary School from 3-11 year olds to 2-11 year olds, thus creating a 2 year old nursery provision with effect from September 2023. It was noted that, at the request of the Governing Body of Fairfield Primary school, the Local Authority has published the proposal, and has consulted on that proposal.
Decision:
Cabinet:
1. Noted the outcome of the consultation; and
2. Approved the proposal to lower the age range of Fairfield Primary School from 3-11 year olds to 2-11 year olds, thus creating a 2 year old nursery provision with effect from September 2023.
Reasons for the decision:
Fairfield Community Primary is a good school with high standards. By extending the provision offered, the school will provide strong standards, early identification of needs of pupils and allow for strong transition into school (either at Fairfield or another school) from the youngest ages.
The Educational Endowment Foundation state that:
“Beginning early years education at a younger age appears to have a high positive impact on learning outcomes. It is estimated that children who start to attend an early years setting before turning three make approximately six additional months’ progress compared to those who start a year later. Positive effects have been detected for early reading outcomes in the first year of primary school and moderate to high effects have been detected for early language and number skills. There are some indications that the impact of high-quality early years provision is particularly positive for children from low-income families.”
Other options considered and rejected:
The proposal is in line with the local authority’s Early Years strategy.