Holsworthy Church of England Primary School’s Governing Body is consulting on a proposal to extend the age range of the school from 3-11 to 0-11 years of age. If approved, the legal age range of the school would change to 0-11 from 1 August 2025 to enable the transfer of the former Children’s Centre building to the Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance (EDBF) Ltd.  However, places for 0-2 year olds are anticipated to be available from later in the same academic year, following the completion of capital works and improvements to the Children’s Centre building so that it is suitable for nursery provision. An initial implementation date of January 2026 for the provision of places is anticipated, should building work be completed.

There is demand in the area for additional provision and in light of the increase to early years entitlements for working families from September 2025 when the  funding increases from 15 to 30 hours a week, there is a projected increase in the demand for baby and two year-old places.

The school is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England school and the site Trustees are the Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance (EDBF) Ltd. Therefore, the Diocese of Exeter will be consulted and must give consent to the proposal to extend the age range of the school. If the proposal to extend the age range is approved, it will require (under provisions in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998) the freehold ownership of the former Children’s Centre building to be transferred from DCC to EDBF Ltd as it will form part of the school provision. By extending the age range of the school to 0-11 all children attending the nursery will be on the school’s roll.

If the proposal to extend the age range is approved, then DCC will provide a capital grant towards the costs of the works required to make the building suitable for nursery provision.