Soke Education Trust is consulting on behalf of Gunthorpe Primary School to understand if there is demand to open a school-based nursery to support the local area. The school and Trust’s vision is to ensure that the nursery supports the local area and offers high-quality early education delivered by experienced and well-trained staff.

Background information

Gunthorpe Primary School is located in the north of Peterborough, an area identified for community regeneration. Gunthorpe Primary School is a two-form entry school, however falling birth rates and changes in the local community have resulted in surplus building space which would could accommodate pre-school provision.  Until two years ago, Gunthorpe Primary School had a PVI nursery provision on its site.

What are we proposing and where?

We believe that offering high quality school-based nursery provision is an opportunity to give our children the best possible start to their education journey.

Our on-site provision for children from the age of 2 ½ would provide a number of benefits for the pupils and parents of Gunthorpe Primary School and the community as a whole.

• A multi-purpose, permanent learning environment to develop and support all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
• A qualified Early Years teacher who will work closely with Nursery Practitioners within the nursery.
• The school will be able to offer expertise to support the children within this provision e.g. nursery and EYFS expertise, SEND expertise, specialist intervention programmes and family support programmes accessed through the Trust and Local Authority.
• Easy and full access to the school site including large hall space and PE equipment, well-resourced library areas, exciting outside outdoor play areas, strong links with our EYFS & SEN networks.
• Opportunities to extend the family and community ethos of the school including through older children building relationships with the younger children to aid transition into school.

Nursery aged pupils will also be able to access wraparound care, which will provide a childcare solution for working families, in keeping with the family ethos of the school.

The separate nursery class will be accommodated by repurposing existing school buildings, funded by a School-Based Nursery Capital Grant.

Why are we undertaking a consultation?

Before a school can make permanent changes to the age range of pupils that it admits, all interested parties who might be affected by the proposals must be consulted. The consultation will commence on Tuesday 18^th November and run to Tuesday 9^th December.

When are we proposing the change?

We are proposing to make the change from September 2026.

Who are we consulting with?

• Parents/Carers
• School Staff
• Local Schools
• Local Early Years and Childcare Providers
• Peterborough City Council

Why are we consulting with you?

Whenever a school proposes to lower the age range of a school to accommodate nursery aged children, all interested parties who are likely to be affected by the proposals must be consulted in the development of the proposals.

It is important that the proposals are the subject of broad consultation with all interested parties to ensure that your views are considered and that you are fully informed and involved before a final decision is made by the Local Authority.

Prior to making any decisions in relation to the proposals, the responses to the consultation will be fully analysed.

How to respond to the consultation

Complete the consultation questionnaire online, no later than Tuesday 9^th December 2025.

Gunthorpe Primary School Nursery Provision – Fill in form

Thank you for taking the time to read this consultation document. Your views are important to us. Please make them known to us by completing the questionnaire or by getting in touch.

 

Yours sincerely

Chief Executive Officer

Soke Education Trust