Dear Parents,
As many of you will now be aware, the Local Authority has issued a consultation on the changes they would like to make to services in RCT based on the budget savings they need to find.
The main proposed change that affects our school is the change in provision for 3 year olds in school. I include the proposal below for those who are not yet aware of it.
Proposal 1: School Admission Arrangements
It is proposed that we (the LA) introduce consistent admission arrangements across all our schools (where there is space in the school to do so). The consistent admission arrangement should be based on;
• Part-time (half day) provision from the term after a child’s 3rd birthday (pre-nursery and nursery); and
• Full-time provision from the September after a child’s 4th birthday (reception);
This reduction to the current arrangements still represents a service level above our statutory requirements.
I very much appreciate that many parents of 3 year olds currently in school and parents of children yet to start school are concerned by the proposed changes.
I would encourage anyone with a strong view on the proposed changes to make their views known through the consultation process that the Local Authority has put in place.
Information on the consultation can be found on the posters we have put up in school, by asking for a leaflet from the foyer or by going to the link below.
The link will take you the LA pages on the proposed changes.
http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/councildemocracy/consultations/servicechangeproposals/servicechangeproposals-phase1.aspx
To download the full consultation pack go to
http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/relateddocuments/publications/consultation/phase-1/consultation-pack.pdf
There is a shortcut at the bottom of the page for anyone who would like to complete an online survey / response to the proposals. This can be found at:
http://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=138323787082
Please make sure that if you want your views heard, that you complete the survey before 2nd December 2013.
As employees of the Local Authority, members of staff are advised not to support public displays of concern with parents. However, this does not stop the school and any employee from expressing their views through the consultation process.
The next steps for the school will depend on the outcome of the consultation process.
The Governors will take advice and decide on how to respond once we know if the changes are going to take place.
I thank you for your support at this challenging time.
Please make the most of your opportunity to have your say.
Many thanks,
Miss S Harwood
Acting Headteacher
