Primary school and nursery merge

THE primary school in Ewelme has merged with the village pre-school.

The move means the High Street school will offer childcare for two- to four-year-olds for the first time in its history of almost 600 years.

The formal merger of the school with the pre-school, which meets at the village hall in The Street, took place on Monday.

The school’s governing body will take on responsibility for management of the pre-school, which will continue to be run by manager Jayde Gray and her team.

Lyndsey Knight, former chair of the pre-school committee, has joined the school’s governing body.

The merger coincides with the completion of improvement work to the pre-school’s outside play space, which was funded by benefactors and fundraising.

This new-look area has a safe surface and includes new climbing equipment, a slide, sand pit, mud kitchen, planting area and sensory bins.

Headteacher Joe Ottaway said: “By bringing the primary school and pre-school together, we aim to improve and strengthen both settings and build even stronger links between the two.

“Transition from pre-school into reception class here is already really good but we think this merger will make it even better.

“A formal merger between the two settings opens up all sorts of possibilities for both the pre-school and primary-age children.

“Having already overseen the establishment of comprehensive wraparound childcare and the development of our amazing forest school site, I am really excited about this latest positive development for the school.”

Peter Ryding, chairman of governors, said: “This exciting combination of two such successful settings will give pupils and parents more confidence in building continuity and a shared focus on our core values.

“It has been a lot of hard work to bring it about so thank you to Lyndsey, Joe and everyone else involved.”

Ms Knight said: “By taking on the management of the pre-school, the primary school is helping to secure its long-term future.

“The pre-school is such an important community asset and it is great to have confidence that this facility will remain at the heart of village life.”

Ms Gray said: “I am very excited for this new chapter for the pre-school and for all the opportunities it will open up for the children.”

Ewelme Church of England Primary School was built in 1437 using funds provided by Alyce Chaucer.

It currently has 91 pupils on the roll and was rated “good” in its last Ofsted inspection in March 2023.

Ewelme Village Pre-school was also rated “good” following its last inspection in December 2022.