WHITNASH NURSERY SCHOOL JOINS PROTEST

A SECOND nursery school has come forward to join a campaign to save nursery schools facing the threat of closure.

Parents and governors from Whitnash Nursery School (WNS), in Leamington, are joining the plight of those from Kenilworth Nursery School (KNS), in Bertie Road.

They are two of six nursery schools under review by Warwickshire
County Council which plans to hold a consultation in mid-May to see how they are being run.

As the Times reported last week users of KNS have condemned the review plans. Parents fear that because the school has no permanent headteacher it could be closed.

The county council has said it is following a government white paper, asking governors to examine the leadership and teaching in their schools and consider alternatives to current practice.

Now WNS, in Nursery Lane, is joining forces with KNS and is backing their call to stop the consultation from taking place.

Whitnash Nursery School has been running for more than 30 years and has received three consecutive “outstanding” Ofsted reports.

Sioban Mulherin, a parent and gover-nor of the school, said: “The support we have had to save the school has been phenomenal. As well as members of the community offering to help, all three of our parliamentary candidates have been down in person to sign our petition and offer their support.”

Alan Beddow, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Leamington and Warwick, visited the nursery and spoke to concerned parents.

He said: “This is an excellent nursery, very much part of the community and there is no justification whatsoever why this nursery should be under threat.

“Parents send their children here from across South Leamington, Whitnash and Warwick Gates where there is already a shortage of schools.

“The Conservative cabinet at the county council could have delayed the changes to early years funding by a year which would have allowed nursery schools time to plan these major changes properly.”

The school will be holding its first parents’ campaign meeting on Wednesday April 28 at Whitnash Nursery School.

Angry parents from both schools took their plight to the streets as they took part in a protest rally on Saturday in Abbey End, Kenilworth.

More than 400 people turned up to show their support and more than 1,000 signatures have so far been collected on a petition to save the schools.

At the protest, parents questioned the basis for the consultation.

Mandy Brougham, chair of governors at KNS, said: “The government’s policy is very clear. Outstanding schools should be protected. The council’s threat to our school is the
result of the councillors’ decision to try to save money in the schools’
budget.

“Our school is a vital part of our community and provides outstanding education for children. The massive support we have received from the community on Saturday shows that the council is making a huge mistake.

“It’s time they withdrew this consultation and gave a clear commitment to protect our school.”

Another protest has been planned outside Shire Hall tomorrow at 1pm, ahead of a cabinet meeting.

The parents have also requested to speak to Councillor Izzi Seccombe, portfolio holder for children, young people and families, to ask to withdraw the consultation.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: “Warwickshire takes a very responsible view about all
providers of nursery provision.

“Cabinet agreed in January this year to proceed on consultation with the six nursery schools.

“What the council is trying to do is ensure the highest standard of provision is available to all children, regardless of where they live.”