Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School are consulting on a proposal to lower the age range of the school from 4 - 11 years to 3 - 11 years, to provide a nursery class and the creation of a Foundation Stage Unit (FSU) within the school from September 2025.  

This initiative is in line with government policy to expand provision for children aged 2-5 and in particular, increase provision that can be easily accessed in local schools. To this end, St Joseph's Catholic Primary is applying for the DfE’s School Based Nursery Capital Grant to fund the work needed to create the nursery on the school site. 

Please see below document which outlines the Consultation process and timescales for lowering the school age to facilitate the nursery class and invites you to submit your views. 

What happens next 

We will hold an online public meeting for parents and any other interested parties to discuss the proposal and to hear the views that people have. As a public meeting, anyone who wishes to may attend. The online event will be held on the 5th December 2024, at 5pm.  There will be a short presentation followed by questions and answers. Please join to share your views and ask questions. You do not need to have a child at the school to join the meeting. Please use this link to join the meeting: St Joseph's Nursery Consultation 

At the end of the consultation period, we will review all the responses received and share these with Lancashire County Council and the Diocese. We will update the school community once the outcome of the bid is known which is anticipated to be Spring 2025.