Collingham School secures £150k grant for new pre-school development
Collingham Lady Elizabeth Hastings’ Church of England Primary School has announced plans to expand its early years provision, after successfully securing £150,000 in government funding to create a new pre-school on its site.
The funding, awarded through the DfE’s School-Based Nursery Capital Grant, will support the development of 26 additional nursery places by renovating the school’s existing bungalow. The project marks a significant step forward for the school and the wider community, aiming to enhance early childhood education and support local families.
Headteacher – Mr Paul Cook – expressed his enthusiasm for the project, describing it as “a significant and exciting opportunity” for the school. He added that the development represents a logical next step for Collingham, building on its commitment to providing high-quality education from the earliest stages.
“We are incredibly grateful to have secured this funding which will allow us to further invest in high quality early years provision,” he said.
“This project reflects our strong commitment to supporting young children at the very start of their educational journey, helping to strengthen early development and ensure a smooth transition into Reception.”
Planning for the new pre-school is still in its early stages, with further work to be carried out on the design, staffing and use of space. The school is aiming to open the provision by September 2027, subject to the successful completion of planning and development processes.
The school has pledged to keep parents and the community informed as the project progresses and to provide further opportunities for feedback along the way.
The development represents a major investment in early years education at Collingham, with the potential to benefit generations of local children and families