Nursery school faces closure

Governors announced the nursery had entered a period of consultation in a meeting with staff on 14 September, while parents were told by letter.

Unions including the NUT and GMB have launched a campaign to have the proposals thrown out.

The nursery, which has been open since 1930, currently cares for 63 children.

All 22 staff members could lose their job if the closure goes ahead.

In a statement, the school’s governing body, said, ‘The need for this action became clear following an extensive and thorough examination of the budgets in recent months, and assessment of future funding for the nursery.

All of this has been undertaken in consultation with the local authority. Acting on advice provided, a decision to consult staff and parents was taken. Such a decision was not and could not be taken lightly, and no final decisions have been taken.’

The nursery was classed as requiring improvement in its last Ofsted report in September 2014. A follow-up inspection in December outlined a lack of progress, causing the previous set of governors to be replaced with a new team in January.

Lydia Benson is currently acting headteacher, after headteacher Ann Macleod retired in December 2014.

Simon Walsh, regional organiser at GMB, said, ‘It’s a disgrace that the school is closing because of financial mismanagement. The news came as a complete surprise to us. Now we want to know if the financial trouble had been on-going. The previous governors were removed in January after poor Ofsted results, so it’s clear somebody knew what was going on.

‘At the moment we’re working with the NUT to support staff at the nursery. Staff and parents are looking into setting up a petition against the closure. We’re having a further meeting with the local authority on Wednesday and hopefully they will disclose full extent of the debt.’

There are also fears the closure will result in a lack of adequate childcare provision in the area, as children will have to find alternative nurseries.

Beatrice Merrick, chief executive of Early Education, said, ‘England has just over 400 maintained nursery schools, the vast majority of which offer exceptionally high quality provision, often in areas of deprivation. These schools support the rest of the sector with initial training and CPD, and as exemplars of best practice, particularly in supporting children with SEN and disabilities. Yet the number is being continually eroded through lack of adequate funds to support the additional costs of this specialist provision.’ 

Bolton Council will be running a series of drop-in sessions for those affected.  Written comments can also be sent in by 23 October. These views will be used in a final report by the council to outline the appropriate course of action.